UEFA Champions League Final: Running Commentary

The time has finally come. Manchester United faces Chelsea in the Champions League final. Man U will be looking for a second Champions League title under Alex Ferguson while Chelsea is looking for its first Champions League trophy.

What will be the key today? Will Cristiano Ronaldo find room to work his magic? Will Didier Drogba get chances against Manchester United's stingy defense? What role player will step up and be a star today?

My prediction? Manchester United 2, Chelsea 1.

Feel free to join the pre-game discussion here, and when the match begins, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play by play in the comments section below. I know some people won't be able to sneak away from work to see the match, and don't have internet feeds to watch on, so let's make this a place those unfortunate folks can come to read about the action.

I will be in New York City today, watching the match at the Galway Hooker. Adam Spangler (This is American Soccer) and Shawn Francis (The Offside Rules) will be joining me as we discuss our plans to take over the online soccer universe (kidding).

Enjoy the match.

Comments

[4now]

Jesus, I can't wait. Anyone know if there is any radio programs available that covers the buildup?

[eric]

Hmmmmm, I'm sure there are some podcasts. Closest thing I know to radio coverage over the actual radio down here is whenever Jim Rome starts complaining about it.

Quick props to ESPN for some decent hype, and they have some good pre-match vids to whet the appetite. Curious how Seedorf is going to do in the booth, but I got a chuckle out of Derrik Rae asking him how to knock out ManU, since Milan did it a couple of times.

[mikeK]

Please do take over the internet.

[Josh]

I keep watching the clock and it is getting slower and slower.... Come on, give me my Futbol!!!!

[Ted]

Example of how the ESPN Monster strangely hates and loves soccer at the same time:

I'm going to a party, in the middle of a day, at a friend's house to watch this game where I will be around plenty of casual soccer fans who followed Champions League matches all year. I'm talking big screen, barbecue, the works, for a soccer game in the middle of a week day... Granted all of us are under the age of 25 with varying degrees of employment but still.

And yet, if we get an MLS highlight on Sportscenter other than a Beckham free kick every soccer fan in the US would die of shock.

Go Liverpool! Oh, wait....

Man U 0-0 Chelsea, followed by a scoreless extra time, and followed by a literally endless round of penalty kicks.

[dallen]

That is a serious summit of American Soccer minds right there.

Michael Ballack with a double, Ronaldo and Tevez with a goal apiece, Chelsea wins it in pk's with ze German sealing it cooly slotted to the right.

[KingSnake]

I always follow it on BBC text:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7410307.stm

[Keith G.]

2-1 Chelsea with Chelsea going up 1-0 on a goal from Drogba, then United tie the game on a Ronaldo goal. Ballack then wins the game with a header off a cross from Lampard.

Michael Ballack finally wins a major trophy.

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

Glad to hear there's grass in Moscow, I thought it was a turf field.

My three biggest problems with the beautiful game, players diving, inept refs and non-grass fields.

[Ted]

"My three biggest problems with the beautiful game, players diving, inept refs and non-grass fields."

You forgot streamers. Michael Wilbon shuns you.

[Alex]

FieldTurf generation 6 and above is great!! SO get over it!

Streamers add to the intensity, something most MLS teams severely LACK!!!

Man Utd is gonna destroy those blue wankers!

Glory to United!!!!!

[Homey Boehme]

I wore my Chelsea jersey to work today. Everyone keeps saying..."I see you dressed up for work today." And I reply, "Yes sir/ma'am, Champions League Final today!" And they do that uncomfortable laugh, because they have no idea what I am talking about and walk away.

I want Chelsea to win (so "the special one" can fume about his un-specialness) and because Avram Grant has received no respect from anyone for what he has already achieved this season. I don't think winning the Champions League will change that, but at least he will have a medal to pack in his box when he is let go by Chelsea this summer.

[eric]

Pre-game tidbit - is it true that Ronaldo has never scored against Chelsea???

[ManicMessiah]

lineups are posted on uefa.com

Chelsea:

Malouda------Drogba-------Cole

Lampard----Makalele----Ballack

Cole----Terry----Carvalho----essien

------------Cech----------

Manchester United:

-------Tevez-------Rooney-------

Ronaldo----Carrick----Scholes----Hargreaves

evra----Vidic----Ferdinand----Brown

---------van der Saar---------

uefa's matchtracker has United in a 442, but I'd think it'd end up playing more like a 433 based on the players on the pitch.

[Rob]

WE'LL NEVER DIE, WE'LL NEVER DIE.
WE'LL NEVER DIE, WE'LL NEVER DIE.
WE'LL KEEP THE RED FLAG FLYING HIGH, CUZ MAN UNITED WILL NEVER DIE.

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

MLS only lacks the rioting, the hooligans, the bags of urine, batteries, missles and fire works that the rest of the world thinks so highly off. Manure is great fertilizer for REAL GRASS!

[Murphy]

Best minute-by-minute report to follow on the net if you can't watch the game:

Barry Glendenning's coverage on the Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/21/championsleague.manchesterunited6

[Dominghosa]

it's on like donkey kong.

[eric]

I dunno about this Hargraves on the wing thing. At least they aren't playing him at right back, who does Fergie think he is, Essien?

[laurie]

Seedorf is on ESPN depostes also. I didn't know he speaks languages

[George]

At work and TIVOing the game.

I'm netural, but I think Rooney and Tevez will be a lot to handle. I suspect Hargreaves will be the x factor for United. Can he net them a goal? I certainly think he can.

Scholes & Carrick vs. Ballack & Lampard...

I'll take Ballack & Lampard 1-0.

Result, Manchester 3 - 2 Chelsea

Its just a guess :-P

[KungFuSoccer]

Prediction: Shevchenko subs in in 72d minute and scores brace, defeating ManU 2-1. All worldwide ManU and Chelsea fans suffer simultaneous heart attack caused by anguish and shock dwarfing casulaties from recent natural disasters.

[Spencer]

Great line up for ManU. I expect Scholes to get subbed out at the 70th for Anderson. But other than that ManU has an exceptional lineup and I'd expect to see Giggs go in also. Go Red Devils.

[Dominghosa]

Geez, C. Ronaldo has hands for feet.

[eric]

That was indeed a sweet montage of Ronaldo.

I do think ManU would be stronger with Anderson on the wing, no Scholes, and Hargraves in the middle. I keep saying that Scholes is overdue for a terrible Red Card lunge, but it ain't happened in the CL yet. Is today the day?

[William the Terror]

If you're not a Manc, you're a wank.

ManU big 3-0 or 3-1. Early goal forces Chelsea out of the bunker and the rout will be on!!

Take that you pansie London wannabes. after this thrashing, you can change your jersey color to powder blue and join the girl's league.

Glory, glory, ManU!!!!

[Dominghosa]

Hopefully Anderson will play a more attacking role (where he belongs) next season and the seasons to come. The kid will be magic there.

[matt]

wheres the hi def for the game???? VIVVVVVVVVVVVVVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA RONNNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[eric]

So A. Cole is playing? I'd run Ronaldo right at him and his gimpy ankle.

[Dominick]

This is Ballack's game...Chelsea 2-0

[Phillip]

ESPN screws us again.

It's not in HD.

[Original Aaron]

Before I saw today's lineups I would have picked Chelsea, but now that I see that Ferguson has finally woken up and decided he has the strongest team and is going to start 2 up top and take the game to the opposition... Manchester United 2-1. We are going to be treated today and see some goals. Is anyone else watching at JFK airport? I'm in the Delta Crown Room by gate 9

[eric]

Wow those dancers have crappy hats and lame costumes. Someone call in the Florida A&M marching band and show them how it's done.

[matt]

it's in glorious HD! here we go!!!

[MiamiAl]

No PARK? Not even on the bench? That is a big loss...

[Dominick]

YEAH ESPN for the HD!!

[Phillip]

Si!!!!!

I had the black bars down the side of my screen... then when they were walking about the screen went blank and then switched to HD.

I was about to get mad.

[eric]

Great tackling by Man U, that's the spirit!

Agree, Park was good on the run up, surprised to see Fletcher and O'Shea over him, as well as both Anderson and Nani.

[eric]

Wow, Fergie brought out the expensive suit today!

[Dominghosa]

Has anyone seen Essien's jock anywhere lying near the touchline?

[eric]

LOL, Dominghosa. Maybe that's why they shifter Ronaldo to the left, Essien has fabulous technique and skill, but not the sprinting speed.

Nice yellow card for Scholes along with the blood. That's the kind of entertainment he's good for.

[matt]

evra and ronaldo together are amazing so far.

[The Gentleman Masher]

Did Makelele get a card for that collision too?

[Dominghosa]

!que golazo! Ronaldo!

[ManicMessiah]

Ronaldo scores in a big game and against Chelsea, taking two birds with one stone! 1-0 Manchester United.

[eric]

Essien is my favorite on Chelsea, but he just can't handle Ronaldo. Sweet header, breaks his streak against Chelski, and opens the scoring, 1-0 ManU.

[eric]

Cross by Wes Brown on the goal, btw.

Chelsea are out of sorts and ManU full of themselves. They need to snatch another goal while they have the momentum.

[Dominghosa]

Petr Cech! You serious!?!

[ManicMessiah]

Moments after Ballack comes close to equalizing but for van der Saar, United has 2 chances stopped by Cech.

[eric]

WOW!!! Breathtaking action, Rooney roars down the flank, hits a great ball to Tevez, his diving header saved by Cech, who somehow recovers to save a rocketing follow-up (Hargraves?)

[Dominghosa]

Two wonder saves by the big GK. ManU should be up 2-0 now.

[eric]

almost right... Rooney to Ronaldo to Tevez, then header....

[matt]

eric- actually, rooney with a run up the flank then a 60 something yard ball cross pitch that ronaldo ran onto, crossed to tevez cech saved the header, cleared by terry? carrick w/ the shot cech also saves.

[matt]

there ya got it.

ronaldo has lived up to evertyhing so far.

[Dominghosa]

matt, finally.

[eric]

From the Guardian MBM: "According to ITV's man on the sideline, Avram Grant hasn't uttered a word since the goal went in."

[matt]

dominghosa: it took the 42nd goal of the season to convince you?!?

[eric]

Tevez whiffs on a Rooney cross with Cech stranded.

Then big free kick for Chelsea on the edge of the box

[Dominghosa]

haha, no. but have been waiting for him to play big in a very big game.

[Dominghosa]

what a gaffe by the manU defense

[laurie]

1-1

[eric]

Oh No! ManU will rue blowing their chances, Ferdinand (culpret on last foul) blows his coverage again, and Lampard cleans up the mess, 1-1 45th.

Ferdinand and Essien are both having howlers.

[Homey Boehme]

Good heavens...why do I have to be sitting at my desk pretending to work and miss watching this game! Lamps in the 45th...tie game...aaagh! Time to catch the flu or food poisoning.

[laurie]

I think we may have a classic here guys!

[eric]

Ronaldo walks off the pitch with his pouty face, 1-1 at the half.

[Dominghosa]

Tied at 1 at the half.
You get the feeling ManU will be punished for missing their chances in the first half. Unless Ronaldo is up to creating moments of magic again.

[Spencer]

Carvalho was lucky that wasn't a red. The replay definitely makes it look vicious. A very high tackle with studs only. Could have easily had his leg broken.

[Geoff]

Chelsea as usual have no class. Everytime they commit a foul they are astonished and surround the referee, only Terry should be doing this because he's the captain (Makelele's yellow). Lampard dived before that free kick Ballack took, Drogba did his usual crying when he hardly got touched going up for a header and I also hate how Tommy Smyth blamed Rio Ferdinand for that goal conceded. The ball deflects off his back into the path of Lamps, how the hell is that Rio's fault!!?? ESPN are so bad, about as classy as Chelsea. AND I'M NOT EVEN A UNITED FAN AND I THINK I WANT THEM TO WIN!!

[eric]

This game could go either way. ManU need to stay loose and trust in their ability to create and finish chances, and Chelsea definitely look poised to steal a goal the longer it stays tied.

I want to see Scholes off, slide Hargraves inside and Anderson out on the wing.

If I were Chelsea, I'd pull Makelele (in serious danger of a 2nd YC and not that effective), move Essien to centermid, and put Alex on the backline.

[Kevin]

Why did it sound like Seedorf was speaking through a drive-through microphone?

[Climbhighkarabo]

Oh come on....Chelsea is not crying anymore than every other soccer club out there. In a sport full of criers, Ronaldo is near the top - but has been fairly quiet so far. By the way, Makelele did not deserve that yellow and I have no problem with the disappointment that he displayed at the ref.

Otherwise, it's a wonderful game. I am amazed at the fans this late at night Moscow time!

[eric]

Ha ha, classy Furgie b!tching out the ref walking back on the pitch

[Geoff]

Chelsea trying to stir things up with Alex Ferguson, what a suprise....

[Dominghosa]

Isn't Alex unavailable? He suffered a recent injury and shouldn't be available off the bench.

[playing hooky from work in WY]

I thought Seedorf was a distraction. He wasn't very smooth and took away from the broadcast.

[eric]

My God! A Joe Cole sighting! Chelsea need him to get going, he's the most creative player they've got.

[ManicMessiah]

van der Saar slips again, but essien puts his shot over the bar.

[eric]

Nice rush of the end to end good stuff again, first Ronaldo springs Evra, who overhits his cross with the box stuffed with Red shirts. Then, Essien takes off downfield, jukes inside, but hits a weak shot way over with his left.

[eric]

Wow. Vidic almost pulls a Risse with a diving header on a cross. Since it didn't go in, it's called a great play by Smyth...

[eric]

Makelele elbows Hargraves in the face, could have easily been a 2nd YC.

Chelsea with the better pressure this half.

[ManicMessiah]

Joe Cole's had a couple of legitimate claims about corner calls on either end this match.

[laurie]

the referee is a joke, he is playing against chelsea

[ManicMessiah]

Joe Cole has also done better on the defensive end against Ronaldo than essien has.

[ManicMessiah]

Drogba knocks one off the post!

[eric]

Drogba off the post!

[ManicMessiah]

I hope this match isn't decided by someone slipping on the pitch.

[SC]

Rio needs to go off, he's hurting United

[Dominghosa]

Chelski putting on the pressure now. C. Ronaldo has to do something now for ManU to get back in it and to earn all the best-in-the-world praises.

[eric]

Now Ferdinand slips allowing Malouda to break free, but Vidic bails him out just ahead of Drogba meeting the cross.

[laurie]

Ballack missed target practice apparently

[SC]

No Penalty?

[laurie]

is Rooney playing?

[Jeff]

It would be sad for a match this well played to be decided by penalties

[ManicMessiah]

Kalou comes on for Malouda.

[ManicMessiah]

Man United saved by the woodwork again!

[SC]

Are u kiddding me!

[eric]

Lampard almost completes the fairy tale, takes a nice turn and fires off the bar with his left.

Then Ronaldo makes a run but his cross is cleared before Tevez can reach it.

[Dominghosa]

GOing to PKs would be horrible.

[ManicMessiah]

Anelka on for Joe Cole.

[ManicMessiah]

Terry's head keeps Giggs from becomming a hero in Moscow, and Rooney comes off for Nani.