Episode 31- See You In Rome

Don’t get the idea that I’m going to Rome, okay??

All eyes are on the upcoming UEFA Champions League (UCL) final at the Stadium Olimpico (in Rome) and both teams are out to create history.

Well, the two teams are the recently crowned EPL champions, Man United (a.k.a Red Devils) and the Catalan Giant, Barcelona.

The Devils will be looking to add another silverware in their cabinet to complete a sweep of quardruple cups and Barca are out to bag a historic trebel in Guardiola’s first season in charge.

Alex Ferguson’s side will also be hoping to retain the UCL title and become the first ever Europe team to retain the title. The Catalans will definitely be out to stop the Devils from clinching the title.

The road to the final of UCL, came in for United when they thrashed Arsenal in a 4-1 aggregate match. In the 1st leg the only goal of the game from O’Shea gave the Devils the lead. Then in the 2nd leg, the dreams of going to Rome for Arsenal had perished. Goals from Ji-Sung Park and Ronaldo crushed Arsenal’s dream and left them another year without a throphy. Although I’m a Gunner fan, I could not stop myself from hailing Ronaldo’s magic throughout that match. The superb freekick (from Ronaldo) and great tactics between him and Rooney are simply tantalizing. They just got me glued on my sit for the full 90 minutes .

O'Shea's goal.

The goalscorer.

Scores a superb freekick in the 2nd leg.

Meanwhile, the other UCL match between Chelsea and Barcelona is another spectacular one. Both teams are evenly strong and it’s tough to predict which team will make it to the final. In the 1st leg, both teams drew 0-0 at the Nou’s Camp(Barca’s home)with Barca dominating the whole game. In the 2nd leg at Stamford Bridge, Michael Essien gave the Blues the lead by scoring a superb volley. The Blues managed to hold the Catalans until extra time. Well, if you gonna think that Chelsea will be going to another final encounter with Man U, think again. During extra time, the Blues fans cheered and whistled as they were so confident that their team will go to Rome. Then, on the 93rd minute(correct me if I’m wrong), the whole crowd was silenced. The magic from Iniesta put Barca in the final against Man U. As Messi give a one-touch ball to him,Iniesta wasted no time to strucked a magnificent shot to the top corner leaving Petr Cech in agony. The Blues were so dejected. And there is more. A couple of seconds before the whistle ends, a shot from Ballack(correct me if I’m wrong again)in the penalty box hit the arm of one Barca’s player. Its clearly a penalty. But referee Tom Ovrebo denied it. The score settled at 1-1. At the end of the game, while the Catalans celebrated their win, the Blues confronted Overbro with frustrations and anger. Reports said that Ovrebo did not gave at least 4 penalties to Chelsea. To rub salt into Chelsea’s wound, the Blues striker, Didier Drogba was expected to face a lenghty ban in the UCL next season. This is because he ranted the F-word in front of the television cameras. Even Guus Hiddink and four security officers struggled to prevent the finger jabbing striker from venting at the referee.

Iniesta, reeling off after scoring.

A mad Drog.

So, the stage is set.

The Red Devils and the Catalans will face off against each other in a spectecular showdown and expect no mercy from the 2 giants.



Be sure to catch the game live on May 27, 3am on ESPN.