Champions League Match Up

The biggest game of the year features two of the best clubs in the world with English champion Manchester United versus Spanish champion Barcelona.  A rematch of 2009 which was won by Barcelona 2-0. The Red Devils look to redeem themselves in a match that could make  Sir Alex Ferguson the top manager in the competitions history. However, Barcelona has an agenda of their own, to prove they are the best club in the world. 

Barcelona:

In Barcelona's 4-3-3 formation the team clearly plays around Lionel Messi. Messi continues to grab accolades as the top player in the world with timely runs and precision shots. Saying that, United will counter with the Premier League's best defender Nemanja Vidic. Vidic is physical and plays with tremendous pace, but his match up will be difficult as it will consist more of stopping Messi while on the run. Messi is the best at breaking down defenses and if not contained the goals will come plenty. 

Barcelona play maker Xavi, is an excellent passer, protects the ball very well, and plays with composure. There is no doubt he's the quarterback creating opportunities for the front line, and also a decent ball winner defensively. But Xavi has had trouble when pressed by high energy defensive midfielders. United could have the advantage if either a fit Darren Fletcher or Park Ji-Sung are used to attack or shadow Xavi, disturbing the flow of play and making it hard for him to pass effectively and set up the front three. 

Manchester United:

Sir Alex has a difficult task at hand deciding tactically how to play Barcelona. The 4-4--1-1 with Wayne Rooney playing behind Javier Hernandez has delivered excellent results. With Barcelona's high playing style, this could be an effective way for United to press and create opportunities. Hernandez is quickly emerging as a premier forward and because of the danger he presents, it has allowed Rooney to regain the same form he showed last year.

IF Ferguson decides to pack the midfield and defend deep, it would split up Rooney and Hernandez but could make it hard for Barcelona to get the ball to the front line by making them take possession of the ball deeper. this will help United in taking advantage of a Barcelona team that's weak against the counter.

Throwing the Technical mumbo jumbo out of the window, if United attack, are physical, and do a good job of cutting down passing lanes in the middle, they will win this match. Barcelona will win if they  control the game with passing and are patient and timely with runs. They also have to do a good job defensively  on counters.

X Factor: Set Pieces

I think the more physical United team has the advantage here. Could ultimately win the game here. 

The Day of May 24

First and foremost I'd like to thank everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes. I also want to wish Happy Birthday to all others born on this day. Considering I'm a nerd and history geek, I was curious to see the things that have transpired throughout time on this day. Here's just a few things on the list that caught my interest. Enjoy !

1544 - Birth of William Gilbert ( Father of Electrical Engineering )
1658 - Battle of Dunes (Spanish-French War)
1738 - Methodist Church forms
1818 - Gen Andrew Jackson captures Pensacola Florida
1830 - Mary Had A Little Lamb is written (this is funny)
1830 - First Passenger Rail service in US (Baltimore & Elliots Mill,Maryland)
1854 - Lincoln University, Penn 1st Black college in US forms by Prebyts
1861 - Major Gen Benjamin Butler declares slaves "contraband of war"
1883 - The Brooklyn Bridge is opened
1915 - Thomas Edison invents telescribe to recored telephone conversations
1935 - 1st major league night baseball game, (Reds v Phil)
1935 - Babe Ruth hits 714th and final home run of his career vs Pittsburgh Pirates
1941 - World War 2, German battleship Bismarck sinks the pride of the Royal Navy HMS Hood
1951 - Willie Mays begins playing for NY Giants
1951 - Racial Segregation in Washington DC restaurants ruled illegal
1964 - Harmen Killebrew hits longest homer ever 471 ft ( RIP Sir)
1967 - AFL grants franchise to Cincinnati Bengals
1974 - Dean Martin last show airs on NBC
1978 - Birth of Brian Ching ( big Shout Out !!)
1979 - Birth of Tracy McGrady (so Ching & I share a birthday with this Knob ? )
1985 - View to a Kill premiers in US (Awesome !)
1989 - AC Milan wins 34th Europe Cup 1 at Barcelona
1989 - Indiana Jones and Last Crusade premiers
1994 - 4 men convicted of bombing the World Trade Center(1993) each sentenced to 240 years in prison (sucks to be you ! )    

Just Be Who You Are

Maybe I'm too old school in some areas, or maybe i am witnessing the continued wussification of our country. In some instances I wish there were more Charles Barkley types on earth. At least everyone would know where they stand. The say one thing do another act is so played out, that now  it's just annoying and not even news worthy.

Recently Tyler Hamilton, who was banned from cycling for two positive doping tests, came forth with his "confession" that Lance Armstrong was doping and also encouraged him to do it as well. Let's remember this is the same guy who has adamantly denied ever using PED's of anytime during his career. So why now ? Losing sleep at night ? Or you just couldn't turn down the money offered to you by 60 minutes or publishing companies that want to hear "your side" of the story.

The NFL owners are holding their annual spring meetings today. As usual the media runs to Roger Goodell to ask what is going on with the lock out, etc.  as he so frequently does, he states, "The sooner we get back to the negotiating table the more we can address those issues in a timely fashion and get to what everybody wants, which is football, In the meantime we've done everything to prepare for 2011." Well...commissioner, why are there still court battles and litigations going on ? From what I understand both sides can agree to remove the suits and immediately start negotiating. Why has that not happened ? It hasn't even been brought up as an option. I don't consider myself to be ultra knowledgeable of labor laws and such, however, it  seems to be simple enough to do.


As I am now  a part of the media, i clearly grasp the concept that news story good and bad have to reported. I also am aware that at times things have to be made controversial whether true or not. However, the majority of sports talk hosts hide behind the political correctness of their jobs to hide the personal feelings they may have about an individual. For example, in one breathe most say, "the game of golf needs Tiger", or "even though golf has new  talent on the rise, it's still missing something without Tiger." Shortly in another breathe  "I am not sure if he can come back" or "he doesn't have enough time to break Jack's record." Even though those things may all be true, what is your real feeling as an opinionated media source. Pick a side, and if that's what you believe then that's what you believe.

It's not about whether Lance doped or not, or if Goodell and the owners just want more money for whatever reason, or if Tiger makes it back. Just give the public a real answer. Years ago I attended an entrepreneurial course at Harvard Business School, where owner of the New England Patriots and Alum was the guest speaker. A question posed to him was, "why do we not have guaranteed contracts in the NFL?" His answer, "because we feel like some players, not all, won't play up to the standard of their contract once they know they have the money." On one hand I was shocked at the answer and on the other I respected his honesty, he was just being real.Commissioner Goodell, just say the owners want more money, all of you media people just say you don't want Tiger to break Jack's record, and Hamilton, if it's a money grab make note of it instead of feeding the sob story. The public would rather just know as opposed to people trying to run circles around them and playing sides. Just be honest ! just be real.