Man Utd and Barcelona set for Wembley
If Manchester United set a high standard with their 2-0 demolition of Schalke in Gelsenkirchen then there can be no faulting Barcelona's response as they beat Real Madrid by the exact same scoreline in the Bernabeu in an even more heated Clasico than usual.
Lionel Messi scored both goals in the closing 15 minutes, the first after a fine assist from substitute Ibrahim Affelay and the second a fantastic solo strike, after Real Madrid were reduced to ten men when Pepe went in high on Dani Alves, a decision that led Jose Mourinho to talk his way into the stands.
The Special One conceded defeat by judging it "impossible" for his side to progress at the Camp Nou, albeit in his own unique way by telling Pep Guardiola that he should be "ashamed" by the manner of the victory and claiming that if he wins the trophy again, it will be courtesy of yet another "scandal".
The truth is though that while Real Madrid deserved their Copa del Rey success last week, they were nowhere near as impressive in the fourth Clasico of the season, the absences of Ricardo Carvalho and Sami Khedira and lack of a Plan B after Pepe's dismissal evidently not helping matters.
Barcelona were worthy winners and Betfair punters appear to agree with Mourinho's opinion that the Catalan club are as good as through to the final, pricing them at [1.04] to confirm their place there, whereas Real Madrid are [23.0] to pull off an extraordinary comeback.
The number of knockout ties that have been practically sewn up after the first leg have stopped this from being a memorable Champions League campaign but an epic Wembley showdown between the likely champions of England and Spain could change that, and is now a [1.06] proposition.
Who would win? Barcelona are [1.58], with Manchester United [2.9]...
Published: 2 May 2011
Joseph Lian (April 28, 2011 8:15 AM) said:
Manchester will win on May 28,2011.Because,it is Wembley.
John Tring (April 29, 2011 7:57 AM) said:
Utd may actually win. 2 main reasons: 1. Utd know how to graft if craft fails. Real don't know. In any case Real really are not that good after all. Withour CR7, they are an average team. Coming 2nd in a 2-team league that is La Liga Primera is no big deal. 2. SAF and Utd must have learned from Rome 2009. And I think they are better equipped this time around. And as some said it would be a lot like home game..