Impeding Barcelona through Wembley’s flanks

By Darshan Joshi, writing from Sydney

Nani may have notched up ten league goals and is closing on twenty assists in all competitions this season, but it looks as if even that will not guarantee the Portuguese winger, one of United’s real revelations in the past ten months, a start in the Champions League final at the weekend. We have seen how, in recent weeks, the partnerships of Fábio and Luis Valencia on the right and Patrice Evra and Park ji-Sung on the left, have been cleverly employed by Sir Alex Ferguson in the biggest fixtures United have had since the aforementioned Ecuadorian’s return from injury. It is the tireless running afforded by this quartet that has allowed Manchester United to devour their way to their nineteenth league title and third European cup final in four seasons.

Stopping Barcelona cannot be on Sir Alex’s mind – it would take a Herculean effort to halt the divine tiki-taka interplay that is threaded deep within the footballing spirits of Xavi, Lionel Messi, David Villa and Andrés Iniesta – but mitigating it? Certainly. A lot is made of the manner in which Barcelona’s patient passing game allows them the time to carefully annihilate the cracks in opposing defences, but if United can fortify the flanks, the likes of Pedro, Dani Alves, David Villa and, potentially, Eric Abidal, will find themselves frustrated. Alves, especially, has been a monster for Barcelona, with his relentless work-rate that has seen him overtake Douglas Maicon as Brazil’s best right-back. It is something that had Xavi himself in awe a few months back in an interview with Sid Lowe – ‘Madre mía, the ground he covers!’ exclaimed the Spain midfielder.

Ferguson’s class of ’11 is one that is arguably more known for its teamwork, its workmanlike ability to churn out results, rather than having individuals take turns in stripping the core of their opposition, a la the XI that included Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tévez. And as such, the ground they cover, especially the wingers and full-backs, will be imperative in attempting to lessen, not stop, the threats that Barcelona possess.

Turn the tables around, and you will not find a more balanced attacking combination down the wings in world football. Pace is abundant, and the ability to pick out pinpoint crosses is glaringly impressive. The four wide men will hence hold the keys to unlocking what is purported to be the greatest team in football history. Oh, and if that fails, they could just throw Nani on.