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.
Showing posts with label FA Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FA Cup. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Underdogs fail to ignite FA Cup fire
In a week when more British teams are competing in European finals than ever before, Portsmouth and Cardiff City must be wondering what they have to do to bring attention to themselves and their FA Cup Final on Saturday.
As the top teams fell from grace in the FA Cup, the tournament was once again being talked up and that the old romance in the competition still existed. And yet, with Manchester United and Chelsea competing in the first All-England Champions League final only four days later, there is almost a case for all involved in the FA Cup Final to throw their hands up in desperation. The focus continues to be on the other final.
Ever since they reached the final both Cardiff and Portsmouth’s focus has been on Saturday’s final. While the welsh tried in vain to push on at the end of the season for a Championship play-off, their heart was never fully in it, as they awaited their day in the May sunshine in Wembley. Portsmouth took their foot off the pedal even earlier, satisfied with their lot and aware they could not realistically challenge those ahead of them for a UEFA Cup spot in the Premier League. A win on Saturday was seen as an easier road into Europe.
The romance of tomorrow’s final will not be lost on the two teams, their managers and their players. But to others it might not be the same. The winner will be the first outside the ‘Big 4’ to win the FA Cup since Everton in 1995. The winner will go into next year’s UEFA Cup. But because there is no great love amongst the neutral fans for either club, the romance and the big build-up has simply not materialised.
And when Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho and Didier Drogba all hint at moves away from their clubs, it is not hard to see why the FA Cup has been pushed down the headlines.
BBC and Sky Sports will build it up tomorrow with pieces about the ball being used, Wembley, the suits, the hotels the teams are staying in and the dressing room superstitions. But it won’t matter because the neutrals won’t be watching.
Manchester United and Chelsea have not finished their seasons yet. They’re still the headline grabbers and as long as they are still in contention for more silverware, they will continue to grab the headlines.
As the top teams fell from grace in the FA Cup, the tournament was once again being talked up and that the old romance in the competition still existed. And yet, with Manchester United and Chelsea competing in the first All-England Champions League final only four days later, there is almost a case for all involved in the FA Cup Final to throw their hands up in desperation. The focus continues to be on the other final.
Ever since they reached the final both Cardiff and Portsmouth’s focus has been on Saturday’s final. While the welsh tried in vain to push on at the end of the season for a Championship play-off, their heart was never fully in it, as they awaited their day in the May sunshine in Wembley. Portsmouth took their foot off the pedal even earlier, satisfied with their lot and aware they could not realistically challenge those ahead of them for a UEFA Cup spot in the Premier League. A win on Saturday was seen as an easier road into Europe.
The romance of tomorrow’s final will not be lost on the two teams, their managers and their players. But to others it might not be the same. The winner will be the first outside the ‘Big 4’ to win the FA Cup since Everton in 1995. The winner will go into next year’s UEFA Cup. But because there is no great love amongst the neutral fans for either club, the romance and the big build-up has simply not materialised.
And when Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho and Didier Drogba all hint at moves away from their clubs, it is not hard to see why the FA Cup has been pushed down the headlines.
BBC and Sky Sports will build it up tomorrow with pieces about the ball being used, Wembley, the suits, the hotels the teams are staying in and the dressing room superstitions. But it won’t matter because the neutrals won’t be watching.
Manchester United and Chelsea have not finished their seasons yet. They’re still the headline grabbers and as long as they are still in contention for more silverware, they will continue to grab the headlines.
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