Champions League preview

This day has required some planning, then re-planning and finally, a complete punt of any of my original ideas.

What else is new, right?

My thought as I left Four Oaks this morning was to come in early and take a really, really long lunch and watch the Champions League final in a sports bar here in Fayetteville.

Turns out, I have an appointment in Hope Mills at 4, which means I’ll have to DVR the match and watch it tonight when I finally get to Henderson at about 9 p.m.

Not ideal, but at least I’ll get to watch the first-ever all-English final between Manchester United and Chelsea.

Not excited? Last year’s final between AC Milan and Liverpool was the third-most watched sporting event in the world last year, behind the Super Bowl and the Brazilian Grand Prix (that shocked me a little).

Here’s the link.

So, at least I know I’m not the only soccer fan out there. Though you wouldn’t know it from talking to my friends and family.

So, let’s break it down. Red vs. Blue, old blood vs. new blood and working-class Manchester against the posh section of London.

Too complicated? Fine.

Things to watch:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo is amazing. The United winger/striker has scored 41 goals in all competitions this season, which is a little like hitting .390 with 40 homers and 140 RBI. He’ll test the Chelsea back line and its all-world goalie, Peter Cech.

2. Didier Drogba, the Ivory Coast international and Chelsea striker, has developed a reputation for diving in recent years. He’s a huge physical presense in the attacking third, but seems to get a bit theatrical at times. Make no mistake, however. He’s lethal and will be the man the Red Devils will need to keep in check.

3. The grass. Apparently, the folks at UEFA (Europe’s governing body for soccer) decided to import some natural grass to Moscow for today’s final. They have worked really hard to get it in place, but it’s only been on the ground for about two weeks. A bumpy and un-even playing surface would favor Chelsea, the stronger, more physical side while a smooth pitch would shift the advantage to the fleet attacking style used by Man U.

4. Who will be the unsung hero? Nobody I’ve mentioned is likely to decide the game. It’s almost always a sublime moment of skill or a fatal error from somebody you wouldn’t expect that tilts a big game like this.

So, want a prediction?

Patrice Evra bangs in a header off a corner and United grabs a 1-0 win.

Happy viewing!

Tags: champions league