Subhro from bluefievre.blogspot.com interviewed me ahead of our big game against the Catalans.
Blue4ever: First and foremost, congrats for winning the league this season. The big match at the Wembley is just a few days away. Did you really think, at the start of the season that you would be here?
GiggsIsGod: Thanks a lot!
Honestly, no. I thought Barcelona and Real Madrid were better sides and favorites to win this year. Little did I know that we were going to avoid the two until the finals! But, after putting in some fine performances, especially in the knock out stages, I think United deserve to be here.
Blue4ever: Let’s not forget you face the mighty Barcelona at the Wembley. Are they the best team on the planet regardless of the result on Saturday?
GiggsIsGod: I think so. Barcelona definitely play the most attractive football and their passing is truly orgasmic. But, they play in a league where there is freedom to express themselves. I am not sure if their style of play will work in a defensively stronger league like the English League. Barcelona’s away record in the Champions League is an indicator of how difficult life is outside of Spain.
Blue4ever: They are still the favourites, aren’t they?
GiggsIsGod: Yes, they are. Over the past 3 seasons, they have consistently dominated matches against top European teams. The quality of football on display in the 5 nil El Classico showed why many people consider this to be the best club side ever.
But, here’s something you might have overlooked. English clubs have vanquished Spanish foes in European finals in ‘71, ‘81, ‘91 and ‘01. Chelsea beat Madrid in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 71, Liverpool beat Madrid in the European Cup in 81, United beat Barca in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 91 and Liverpool beat Alaves in the Uefa Cup in 2001. What do they say about history? Who, in their right mind, would now consider Barca favourites!
Blue4ever: What memories do you have of the final in Rome?
GiggsIsGod: I remember being very confident about United winning that game and becoming the first team in history to successfully defend the Champions League. Abidal and Dani Alves were suspended and Iniesta was expected to not recover in time for the game. Unfortunately, he did recover and boy did he make an impact!
Ronaldo's shoot at sight approach, Vidic making a rare but costly mistake, Xavi and Iniesta running rings around our midfield, cursing the ref who had wrongly sent Darren Fletcher off in the semis, Messi’s gliding header, going to sleep around the 80th minute with the hope that my friend will come screaming that United have leveled the score, are some of the memories from a hugely forgettable night. By far, the most depressing night for me as a United fan.
Blue4ever: What do you think will be the changes from that matchup, tactically?
GiggsIsGod: At Rome, everyone expected United to be cautious and Barca to go for the kill. United were far from that and started the more positive of the two. United started the game on high tempo and Ronaldo alone had 3 to 4 shots on goal inside the first 10 minutes.
This time around I think Fergie will go with a safety first approach. Win the ball early and keep possession of the ball without being too adventurous in the first half. With an array of attacking talent on the bench, go for the kill in the second half.
Blue4ever: Do you think that the best way to play Barca is to lie deep and play on the counter, like how you did en route Moscow in the semis?
GiggsIsGod: Arsenal tried it at the Camp Nou and I thought they were defending quite comfortably until that momentary lapse in concentration late in the first half. One mistake, one opportunity was all it took Barcelona to punish them. This approach requires supreme concentration & hard work and being clinical with the few opportunities that are created. Ideal, if you have a team of eleven Ji-Sung Parks.
I think United, with some good ball winners in Fletcher, Park and Valencia, will try to press hard and get the ball back rather than sit deep and defend the final ball.
Blue4ever: How do you expect the game to pan out? What would be your preferred starting line-up?
GiggsIsGod: Fletcher played the full 90 minutes against Blackpool and now stands a very real chance of getting into the starting 11. Which means Chicharito will be left on the bench. That and the Right Back slot are the only selection decisions to make for Sir Alex. Rest of the team picks itself.
van der Sar, Rafael-Rio-Vidic-Evra, Valencia-Fletcher-Giggs-Carrick-Park, Rooney
Blue4ever: Are you wary of the refs? Do you think, given the track record Barca has had, that they could well and truly decide this match too?
GiggsIsGod: Not too worried about it actually. Barca’s playacting is much publicized now. I just hope the ref takes that into account before sending one of our players off for breathing heavily on Busquets.
Blue4ever: Where do you think the chink in the Barca armour lies? Which position do you think you can exploit most effectively?
GiggsIsGod: I don’t see any particular weakness in this side. But, I think Guardiola tinkers a lot with his defence. Although Puyol at RB & Yaya Toure at CB kept a clean sheet in Rome, I find the idea of playing a midfielder (Mascherano/Busquets) alongside Pique, instead of a backup CB and playing Puyol on the flanks, ridiculous. If he decides to try something cute in this final, it may well be his undoing.
And I don’t know what Busquets does. Not a ball winner, not a creative player. What does he do? I hope this is the game he got exposed.
Blue4ever: Would the fans be an advantage given that you are playing on home soil? At least technically you are!
GiggsIsGod: Manchester’s proximity to the venue implies more United fans buying open tickets. That and the familiarity with the venue are, if not huge, definite factors in United’s favour.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford during Barcelona’s visit in the semi finals was the best I have witnessed. Hoping that the fans will create a special atmosphere for the special occasion.
Blue4ever: What has been your moment to remember this season?
GiggsIsGod: Berba’s and Rooney’s overhead kicks, Chicharito’s backwards header, the performance against Schalke in the first leg of the semi finals, comebacks against Blackpool and West Ham are some of the great moments to remember this season by.
But the moment of the season came 36 seconds into the potential title decider against Chelsea. The moment we knew No. 19 was ours. Sir Alex bowed down to the fans at the end of the game. Fantastic day!
Blue4ever: And the one to forget?
GiggsIsGod: The Wayne Rooney drama. He embarrassed the club and infuriated the fans earlier in the season with his contract negotiations. He has been since trying desperately to win over the fans again. Scoring the winner at Wembley will be the ultimate act of redemption. And he will be aware of it!
Blue4ever: The one player you are most wary of in that Barca lineup.
GiggsIsGod: Lionel Messi.
Blue4ever: The one player who’s gonna do it for United this Saturday.
GiggsIsGod: Wayne Rooney.
Blue4ever: Finally, your predictions for the night?
GiggsIsGod: The players have repeatedly talked about how the defeat at Rome still haunts them. The sheer will to win to make the difference this time.
United to score in the second half and win 1 nil.
Blue4ever: Thanks for the time and all the luck for Saturday.
GiggsIsGod: Pleasure. Thanks!
Click here for the Barcelona perspective.
Overall a balanced view .But few ignorant statements spoilt it.
ReplyDelete"But, they play in a league where there is freedom to express themselves. I am not sure if their style of play will work in a defensively stronger league like the English League. Barcelona’s away record in the Champions League is an indicator of how difficult life is outside of Spain."
They have broken the jinx with away win at Shakhtar ( which is an extremely difficult away ground). It has happened quite often , that after first leg at Camp Nou ( 3 goal, 4 goal demolition)they don’t really need to play well at away games hence not great results. And well, EPL defensively stronger league is just your opinion- can’t be proved in anyway.
While counting cup finals you conveniently ignored lot of them – say for example barca beating manu in champ league, or atletico beating fulham or sevilla beating middlesbrough in uefa cup finals come to top of my mind( I am sure I can find more if I do some research). Btw these are more recent than whatever you have mentioned.
"And I don’t know what Busquets does. Not a ball winner, not a creative player. What does he do? I hope this is the game he got exposed."
Now this is scandalous! He is one of the best holding midfielders in Europe. He kept yaya toure out of the team, he keeps MAscherano out of the team and he kept Senna(among others) out of Spain’s WC winning team. Granted he sometimes( and mind you only sometimes) acts like an idiot , no one can question his ability. Obviously it is easy to ignore him infront of iniesta , xavi and others, but his contribution is critical – just Like Fletcher. Difference is he has million times better ball control than Fletcher.