The Winner takes all

The talking is over. Let the games begin. Tonight’s game is the ultimate Gladiators warfare. Two protagonists with little love lost between them.

Chelsea will take the mantle of the wounded animal in more ways than one. Having let the Premiership slip away, the London club will be seeking revenge. And no better place than on the biggest club stage in the World.

And preparations have not been ideal. Initial injury worries surrounding Didi Drogba and Terry were further compounded by Claude Makelele’s reckless challenge on Ashley Cole during yesterday’s run-out. How such incidents will sit in the dressing room is anyone’s guess.

But if Cole starts and is slightly hampered by the ankle injury, this could spell trouble as Cristiano Ronaldo will seek to exploit any weakness. In recent matches Cole has kept Ronaldo quiet. When he was at full fitness. And while Ronaldo has scored 41 goals this season, he is not the only match winner for United.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will take the role of the Champion Gladiator who will proudly strut around, chest out, owning the arena. With the experience of European Finals more prominent in their ranks, ‘United will go into the Final with a better knowledge of what to expect.

There will be much shaping-up between the two teams but for the neutral supporter there must be a hope that the two warriors do not cancel each other out. A dour affair like last year’s FA Cup would be everyone’s worst nightmare.

For the manager’s, it may well be a defining moment in their careers. For Ferguson, a win will confirm him as one of the greatest British managers and for Avram Grant, he can only hope that a win will confirm his position as Chelsea manager for next season.

With defence at a premium, the gladiator who can spring the surprise attack will take all the spoils.