PBP: Pre-season Friendly 4 | Manchester United v FC Barcelona | 8 August 2012 [R]

Viscaelbarca · Aug 7, 2012

| BARCELONA / Göteborg (CEST), 20:00| LOS ANGELES (PDT), 11:00| MONTREAL(EDT), 14:00| LONDON (BST), 17:00| MELBOURNE (EST), 4:00 (NEXT DAY)

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Ullevi Stadium
Göteborg - Sweden

Ullevi is a stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden. The stadium was built for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, but since then Ullevi has also hosted the 1995 World Championships in Athletics and the 2006 European Championships in Athletics, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup finals in 1983 and 1990, theUEFA Euro 1992 final, the UEFA Cup final in 2004, and annually hosted the opening ceremony of the Gothia Cup—the world's largest football tournament.
The stadium is the biggest in Scandinavia, with a seating capacity of 43,000 and a total capacity of 75,000 for concerts.

Google Street | Stadium Info

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.

The 1958 Munich air disaster claimed the lives of eight players. In 1968, under the management of Matt Busby, Manchester United was the first English football club to win the European Cup. The current manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has won 24 major honours since he took over in November 1986.

Manchester United has won many trophies in English football, including a record 19 league titles, a record 11 FA Cups, four League Cups and a record 19 FA Community Shields. The club has also won three European Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, oneIntercontinental Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. In 1998–99, the club won a Treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, an unprecedented feat for an English club.

Wikipedia
Official Club Website

FC Barcelona

Adriano has trained normally with the group. He could be called back to the squad.
David Villa has trained with the group and could be included as well.
Jonathan dos Santos stayed in Barcelona with a thigh strain he’s been suffering from for a few days

Manchester United

Vidic is back in the team after being sidelined because of injury for Eight Months
Goal Keeper Lindegaard pens new four-year Manchester United deal.
Valencia has been given the #7 jersey.

Sun 31/07/11 CLF Barcelona 1 - 2 Manchester United

Sun 29/05/11 UCL Barcelona 3 - 1 Manchester United

Thu 28/05/09 UCL Barcelona 2 - 0 Manchester United

Wed 30/04/08 UCL Manchester United 1 - 0 Barcelona

Thu 24/04/08 UCL Barcelona 0 - 0 Manchester United

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Visca el Barça

Gilmango · Aug 7, 2012

First day of an 11 day vacation with the family and no wifi, thank god it is preseason and hope we take care of business nonetheless. Too bad about JDS's injury, really wanted to see what he and Bartra could/can do, most of all the new promotions; as they play the positions we are considering reinforcing (CB a/o DM / plan B box-to-box midfielder).

Henke · Aug 7, 2012

Kagawa

.Azulgrana. · Aug 7, 2012

Looking forward to this one.

Alba makes his debut and dare I say Villa makes his return. Nah, too soon I'm guessing.

Adriano has been cleared to play in this match but JdS is ruled out, as Gilmango said.

Viscaelbarca · Aug 7, 2012

The squad list has been announced and the following players are included;

Valdés, Pinto
Dani Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Adriano, Fontàs, Montoya, Bartra, Ilie
Fábregas, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha.
Villa, Alexis, Messi, Pedro, Afellay, Tello

Out: Thiago, Abidal, Cuenca, Muniesa y Dos Santos.

FCBTEX · Aug 7, 2012

I've liked our pre-season opponents so far. I want the guys to be ready to go once the season starts because this campaign might even be tougher than the last.

Rana catesbeiana · Aug 7, 2012

Kinda interesting pre-season match, although not expecting anything too unforgettable. But Liga start being only ten (?) days after this match, it's getting exciting slowly.

Same wish as in all friendlies: no injuries.

celito · Aug 8, 2012

Damn Visca, you don't mess around do you ? Full blow match previews with history and highlight videos for pre-season games. Well done sir !

.Azulgrana. · Aug 8, 2012

Confirmed Lineup:

Valdes
Alves Puyol Mascherano Adriano
Sergi Roberto Busquets Iniesta
Alexis Messi Tello

Bench: Pinto, Montoya, Pique, Bartra, Alba, Xavi, Cesc, Afellay, Pedro, Ilie, Rafinha

.Azulgrana. · Aug 8, 2012

Streams; bit.ly/OZVnko http://bit.ly/OZVsV4 http://bit.ly/OZVwEk http://bit.ly/OZVwUU http://bit.ly/JTFhTP

35mmMessiah · Aug 8, 2012

Here's a link to tv3, in catalan. Cheers!

Viscaelbarca · Aug 8, 2012

Tello has been very average. Rushing things most of the time and playing a bit selfishly.

Well done by Victor Valdes to stop that penalty.

Why is the stupid United crowd booing Busquets? Even Scholes didn't complain about the yellow card...

inswinger · Aug 8, 2012

^^ Where's the link, Josie?

Tello almost cost us there, although that was an embellished dive from Nani. All moot, since VV saves the PK from Rooney right before the break.

BTW, if the game ends as a draw, there will be a PK shootout to determine the winner of the coveted cup that was just invented by event promoters.

Gilmango · Aug 8, 2012

weak PK awarded on a Tello foul on Nani, VV saves Rooney's decent PK and Rooney then shanks the rebound well wide, 0-0 at half.

.Azulgrana. · Aug 8, 2012

Tello turns 21 this week and he still looks as if he's as raw as a 17/18 year old. He's so extremely limited to what he can do. Without his speed he wouldn't be of any threat to the other team because he is an average finisher, doesn't usually make the best decisions, and doesn't pass/cross too well either. He doesn't look like he is first team quality or ever will be. He's not like Cuenca and Pedro who are tactically intelligent and have different strengths that help the team. Maybe we could give him a try at right wing or even at striker where his speed and right foot might come more of use to him.

That penalty was pretty harsh, didn't look like there was much contact until the very last second when Tello had already attempted his tackle by then and didn't pull it off. Justice done though, Valdes saved it and Rooney somehow missed the rebound inside the 6 yard box. Decent first half, but we're not creating much at all apart from Iniesta, Messi, and Alves. Roberto and Tello struggling and Alexis seems a bit isolated out on the right. Need some changes at the start of the second half.

celito · Aug 8, 2012

Viscaelbarca said: ↑

Tello has been very average. Rushing things most of the time and playing a bit selfishly.

Well done by Victor Valdes to stop that penalty.

Why is the stupid United crowd booing Busquets? Even Scholes didn't complain about the yellow card...
Click to expand...

Once you have a reputation as being a diver, it is tough to get rid of that label.

Rana catesbeiana · Aug 8, 2012

http://veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#50229e81402f7/2b7c103e9cb95341a34953407f4aafaf

here's a steady and watchable-ish stream

Yeah: Tello not being too impressive. But don't wanna point fingers.

35mmMessiah · Aug 8, 2012

inswinger said: ↑

^^ Where's the link, Josie?

Tello almost cost us there, although that was an embellished dive from Nani. All moot, since VV saves the PK from Rooney right before the break.

BTW, if the game ends as a draw, there will be a PK shootout to determine the winner of the coveted cup that was just invented by event promoters.
Click to expand...

Hmm… here it is… http://www.tv3.cat/directes/

.Azulgrana. · Aug 8, 2012

Pinto IN, Valdes OUT
Pique IN, Puyol OUT
Xavi IN, Sergi Roberto OUT
Cesc IN, Iniesta OUT
Afellay IN, Messi OUT
Pedro IN, Tello OUT

Pinto
Alves Pique Mascherano Adriano
Xavi Busquets Cesc
Pedro Alexis Afellay

inswinger · Aug 8, 2012

Pinto with an excellent save from Kagawa.

Brings to mind this: shouldn't Pinto start the Spanish SuperCup vs. LPB? Since we qualified for that competition by winning the CdR, and Pinto was our starting GK throughout that campaign, it seems only fair that he start the SuperCup, right?

Viscaelbarca · Aug 8, 2012

I am predicting the next subs to be; Bartra for Busquets, Villa for Alexis, Alba for Adriano...

.Azulgrana. · Aug 8, 2012

Viscaelbarca said: ↑

I am predicting the next subs to be; Bartra for Busquets, Villa for Alexis, Alba for Adriano...
Click to expand...

Villa (and Fontas) aren't on the bench. They're expected to get their first minutes of pre-season in Romania this Saturday.

Viscaelbarca · Aug 8, 2012

.Azulgrana. said: ↑

Villa (and Fontas) aren't on the bench. They're expected to get their first minutes of pre-season in Romania this Saturday.
Click to expand...

That settles that then! Sorry, I woke up at 3:58 AM for this one.

celito · Aug 8, 2012

Can't believe we haven't scored yet. "Unlucky" finishing so far.

Rana catesbeiana · Aug 8, 2012

inswinger said: ↑

Brings to mind this: shouldn't Pinto start the Spanish SuperCup vs. LPB? Since we qualified for that competition by winning the CdR, and Pinto was our starting GK throughout that campaign, it seems only fair that he start the SuperCup, right?
Click to expand...

Nah - Valdes in imo.