Devils seek Double, Blues hoping for Revenge
By Julius Ross
As Manchester United head into their historic Champions League Final clash with Premier League rivals Chelsea this Thursday, the Red Devils will hold a slim psychological advantage over the Londoners.
United’s triumph over title challenger Chelsea on the penultimate day of the English Premier League season will see them into the final brimming with confidence after securing their 17th domestic title last weekend.
The Blues, on the other hand, will be slightly deflated by their failure to clinch the League trophy from the Red Devils’ grasp, but will be determined to gain revenge over their English rivals on Europe’s grandest stage.
Although the encounter will be unique in that it will be the first final to feature two English sides, both finalists will known each other inside out.
Having been the English Premier League’s dominant title challengers in recent seasons, a slight psychological advantage may be pivotal in separating the two sides and the final outcome of the match.
But Chelsea, despite their recent league loss, may use their disappointment as extra motivation to provide further mental strength for their side.
It will be Chelsea’s best chance to secure a first ever Champions League trophy, and silence critics who have targeted the club’s inability to progress past the semi-final stage, despite the millions of pounds injected into the club.
Manchester will also be looking to add to its own illustrious history; a victory in Wednesday’s final will see it complete a famous Champions League and domestic double, and will place a third European Cup in the Old Trafford trophy cabinet.
Leading up to United’s most important game in the club’s history since their 1999 triumph in the same competition, manager Sir Alex Ferguson is facing an unusual selection dilemma, with 26 first team players fit and ready to play in Moscow.
The United squad is currently injury and suspension free, which ironically leaves Sir Alex with a selection headache, with all players eager to feature in arguably the biggest match of their careers.
But due to UEFA regulations, Ferguson will have to omit eight players from his squad of 26, with only 18 players allowed to participate in Moscow.
Paul Scholes will be one certain starter in Russia; after missing the 1999 final against Bayern Munich through suspension, Ferguson promised the midfield maestro a starting position to erase the memories of missing out nine years ago.
Despite the selection drama, Ferguson admits his side in a fantastic position to lift a third European Cup, a trophy which he has claimed just once in 13 attempts, highlighting its status as the world’s most prestigious club trophy.
United may also have a slight advantage in the players department, having a certain Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad.
Ronaldo has taken both Europe and the Premier League by storm this season, scoring a total of 41 goals in all competitions and showing his pace, deadly finishing and audacious ability throughout the season.
He will be a key figure in the clash; his ability to unlock the tightest of defences will make him a marked man by Chelsea’s back-line.
Chelsea will also be close to full strength, after manager Avram Grant announced that the influential trio of captain John Terry, defender Ricardo Carvalho and striker Didier Drogba have recovered from various injuries.
Portuguese defender Carvalho missed the final match of the English Premier League season against Bolton, whilst Terry dislocated his elbow and Drogba jarred his knee in the disappointing 1-1 draw last Sunday.
It will be tough to pick a winner, but Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat of United in a crucial Premier League clash back in April shows that it will be a tough and closely fought encounter.
United and Chelsea also locked horns in a cup final last year, facing each other in the prestigious English F.A. Cup Final.
Unfortunately the final failed to live up to expectations and a dull 0-0 draw was played out in the 90 minute period, a Didier Drogba goal separating the sides in extra time.
This time around, we hope that the final produces a fantastic display of world-class football which highlights the status of the European Champions League as the greatest club competition in world.
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