Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
I don't know if it's the same in Singapore, but here in England there is a strange glint of expectation in the eyes of the Manchester United fans. Every one that I have spoken to is confident, perhaps too confident, of victory in Moscow tonight. It might be that clinching the EPL title has given them a false sense of security. It could be that, as I reported yesterday, Chelsea seem intent on causing their own off-the-field distractions. Whatever it is, those fans had better hope that the players aren't feeling the same way, because I've got a hunch that Chelsea will win this.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team selections for the final shake-down have caused some concern and his tactics have been alarmingly negative at times. Against Barcelona in the semi-finals, there was no sign of the gorgeous, expansive football that has characterised United's season. There was just gimlet-eyed containment as they put their backs against the walls and repulsed the red-and-blue waves, sneaking out to create chances on the break. Against Chelsea, Sir Alex dropped Cristiano Ronaldo and his side barely crossed the half-way line in the first 45minutes. They needed a second half aberration from Paolo Ferreira just to get back in the game. That wasn't the United that the neutrals have grown to love.
In fact, when you look at the fixtures, they've not really played well since beating Arsenal at Old Trafford. I know that they put four past West Ham with ten men, but the Hammers played so appallingly that day that I suspect we could rustle up a team of me and ten readers, and we'd at least have held them to a draw. Against Wigan in that vital final fixture, they might have seen their title hopes disintegrate altogether, had it not been for their lucky amulet, Steve Bennett. Right up until the end of March, when they obliterated Aston Villa, they were at their magnificent best, but since then they've looked understandably tired.
Chelsea should really be just as exhausted, having played more games, but they seem to have some kind of supernatural resilience to fatigue. They've also been performing much better towards the climax of the season, beating an in-form Newcastle, crushing the hopes of their old nemesis Liverpool and, of course, completely outplaying United themselves at Stamford Bridge. United fans will suggest that their possession of this year's EPL title gives them the psychological advantage, but I don't think that will be the case. Chelsea's players will be able to look their opponents in the eye and say, "we know that we can beat you." With speculation about almost every key Chelsea player, with uncertainty surrounding the club, with the hierarchy giving no clues about Avram Grant's future, this could be the last hurrah of a great side.
There's also the state of the pitch to worry about. When even UEFA mouthpiece William Gaillard starts to express doubts about something, you know that there may be a problem. If the turf starts to cut up, then it won't suit Manchester United's short passing game at all. Chelsea have shown signs in recent weeks that they can knock the ball about just as well, but only one side can quickly shift and adapt to a long-ball game and it's not the team with two midgets up front.
Manchester United are the better footballing team, they are the better supported team, but they are not necessarily the most effective team. Chelsea have the form for the occasion, they have the players to suit the conditions and they have that curious mental strength that enables them to keep fighting and to keep snatching improbably victories against the odds. Manchester United fans might think that they're on the brink of a special victory, but I fear they may be perilously close to disaster.
Sir Alex Ferguson's team selections for the final shake-down have caused some concern and his tactics have been alarmingly negative at times. Against Barcelona in the semi-finals, there was no sign of the gorgeous, expansive football that has characterised United's season. There was just gimlet-eyed containment as they put their backs against the walls and repulsed the red-and-blue waves, sneaking out to create chances on the break. Against Chelsea, Sir Alex dropped Cristiano Ronaldo and his side barely crossed the half-way line in the first 45minutes. They needed a second half aberration from Paolo Ferreira just to get back in the game. That wasn't the United that the neutrals have grown to love.
In fact, when you look at the fixtures, they've not really played well since beating Arsenal at Old Trafford. I know that they put four past West Ham with ten men, but the Hammers played so appallingly that day that I suspect we could rustle up a team of me and ten readers, and we'd at least have held them to a draw. Against Wigan in that vital final fixture, they might have seen their title hopes disintegrate altogether, had it not been for their lucky amulet, Steve Bennett. Right up until the end of March, when they obliterated Aston Villa, they were at their magnificent best, but since then they've looked understandably tired.
Chelsea should really be just as exhausted, having played more games, but they seem to have some kind of supernatural resilience to fatigue. They've also been performing much better towards the climax of the season, beating an in-form Newcastle, crushing the hopes of their old nemesis Liverpool and, of course, completely outplaying United themselves at Stamford Bridge. United fans will suggest that their possession of this year's EPL title gives them the psychological advantage, but I don't think that will be the case. Chelsea's players will be able to look their opponents in the eye and say, "we know that we can beat you." With speculation about almost every key Chelsea player, with uncertainty surrounding the club, with the hierarchy giving no clues about Avram Grant's future, this could be the last hurrah of a great side.
There's also the state of the pitch to worry about. When even UEFA mouthpiece William Gaillard starts to express doubts about something, you know that there may be a problem. If the turf starts to cut up, then it won't suit Manchester United's short passing game at all. Chelsea have shown signs in recent weeks that they can knock the ball about just as well, but only one side can quickly shift and adapt to a long-ball game and it's not the team with two midgets up front.
Manchester United are the better footballing team, they are the better supported team, but they are not necessarily the most effective team. Chelsea have the form for the occasion, they have the players to suit the conditions and they have that curious mental strength that enables them to keep fighting and to keep snatching improbably victories against the odds. Manchester United fans might think that they're on the brink of a special victory, but I fear they may be perilously close to disaster.
