New Delhi: With 18 days to go for the Champions League final at Wembley, both teams have what it takes to win the trophy at the spiritual home of English football. Here are five strong reasons why Barcelona can do an encore of the 2009 final which they won 2-0 at the Stadio Olympico in Rome.
1. Best attacks begin with defence
Barcelona boasts of a backline envied by many but respected by all. The unique yet shocking part about the Catalan defensive set-up is the fact that every position has in him a runner and an out-fielder who can instigate an attacking move from the heart of the defence.
Apart from the thoroughbred Catalan legend Carles Puyol, Barca have defenders with an eye for goal in Dani Alves, Gerard Pique and Adriano.
Brazilian fleet-footer Dani Alves is the extension of the Barcelona wing-whirlpool, almost doubling up as a right winger along with David Villa. Add to that Gerard Pique's supply for Iniesta and Co. to feed on and Barcelona have a defence which can easily play a high line and still cope up with a counter-offensive by the opposition.
2. The midfield magicians
No superlatives have been left to describe the sheer skill and talent of the Catalan engine-room comprising of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. The Spanish World Cup winners have carried on their imperious firm from South Africa to the domestic season. Breath-taking passes and through balls that leaves defenders for dead, they are very well capable of bisecting, trisecting or just ripping apart the United defence with their peerless supply of deliveries.
Averaging an astonishing 80 per cent of pass completion rate, every Barcelona attack is given shape and tempo from the centre of the midfield. While Xavi is the presser in the middle of the park, Iniesta adds the creative and visionary touch to the attack. Slide-rule passes and distributing possession to every part of the ground, Iniesta specialises in expanding the midfield to every dimension of the park. If Manchester United want to mark down the Barca attack, limiting Xavi and Iniesta's role in the match is pivotal for their success.
3. Momentum that ceases to dip
It is not just this season, nor the semi-final tussle against Real Madrid, Barcelona have been riding an unending wave of momentum since trumping Manchester United at the Champions League final at Rome in 2009.
Breaking all domestic and European records in sight, Guardiola's boys have been in prime form and devoid of any injuries, helping them to establish an iron hold over the domestic title and threatening to wipe out oppositions in sight. What works for this constant control is the fact is the nucleus of the side has remained the same throughout.
4. Lionel Messi
Need we say more?
The Argentine player has been dubbed as a once in a generation player by many a manager and expert, and his 50 plus tally of goals in all competition this seasons is just a little piece of evidence to justify his case.
His coach Pep Guardiola was shocked out of his wits when he heard that the little wizard, all of 23 years has already reached the third-highest scorer for Barcelona in their history. A history which dates back to more than 100 years.
The no. 10 has already attained legendary status in club and world football and can score basically from any part of the ground.
Superior close control and the ability to waltz past defenders with ridiculous ease, the little magician is one of the main reasons why Vidic and Co. might have sleepless nights before they venture on to the green patch.
5. Reinforced and how!
In the Champions League final at Rome against Manchester United in 2009, Samuel Eto'o ran the team ragged along with silken striker Thierry Henry. Yaya Toure handled the midfiled dynamic on the pitch and Lionel Messi thrived on their energies in 4-1-2-3 formation to seal the English heavyweights fate.
Fast forward to 2011 and the Barcelona team dynamic hasn't changed although the personnel have. The onerous task to replace iron lungs Eto'o has been dealt with Spanish scoring hero David Villa. Add to that the homegrown ambidextrous striker Pedro Gonzales and Barcelona still attack in the same formation with full tilt and deadlier accuracy.
The nucleus of the side has considerably changed with the departures of Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto'o, Silvinho and Thierry Henry. Take any one of these names out of any side and the void seems impossible to fill, but such is the transitional fluidity of the club, that it has used these departures to bring in sharper more effective players.
So if a man bets his hat on Barcelona on the 28th May, I wouldn't doubt him getting a lot more than his hat back!
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