Sports Commentary
As Manchester United and Chelsea head into the first all-England UEFA Champions League final Wednesday in Moscow, the attention has turned to each club's biggest star. The big question: Will they stay, or will they go?
(FILES) This file photo taken on May 21, 2008 shows Manchester United's English forward Wayne Rooney celebrating after beating Chelsea in a penalty shoot out to win the final of the UEFA Champions League football match at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. It was reported on June 12, 2008 that Rooney and his long-time girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin have wed on the Italian Riviera. AFP PHOTO / FILES / Franck Fife (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
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A man walks by the sign of the Dragao Stadium on June 4, 2008 in Porto. Portuguese champions FC Porto have been barred from competing in next season's Champions League over a match-fixing scandal, Europen football's governing body UEFA said on June 4. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)
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A man walks by the sign of the Dragao Stadium on June 4, 2008 in Porto. Portuguese champions FC Porto have been barred from competing in next season's Champions League over a match-fixing scandal, Europen football's governing body UEFA said on June 4. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)
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A general view shows a part of the Dragao Stadium on June 4, 2008 in Porto. Portuguese champions FC Porto have been barred from competing in next season's Champions League over a match-fixing scandal, Europen football's governing body UEFA said on June 4. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)
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A man stands by the Dragao Stadium on June 4, 2008 in Porto. Portuguese champions FC Porto have been barred from competing in next season's Champions League over a match-fixing scandal, Europen football's governing body UEFA said on June 4. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
A man walks by the Dragao Stadium in Porto on June 4, 2008. Portuguese champions FC Porto have been barred from competing in next season's Champions League over a match-fixing scandal, Europen football's governing body UEFA said on June 4. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)
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A Bulgarian riot policeman tries to protect CSKA Sofia president Alexandar Tomov (C) from angry CSKA fans in Sofia on June 3, 2008. Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia were refused permission to compete in next season's Champions League by governing body UEFA on June 3, 2008 because of unpaid debts. AFP PHOTO / GEORGI KOZUHAROV (Photo credit should read GEORGI KOZUHAROV/AFP/Getty Images)
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Bulgarian riot policemen try to arrest a CSKA Sofia fan in Sofia on June 3, 2008. Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia were refused permission to compete in next season's Champions League by governing body UEFA on June 3, 2008 because of unpaid debts. Their decision provoked a violent reaction from CSKA fans, who booed and pelted club president Alexandre Tomov with plastic glasses and bottles during a press conference. AFP PHOTO / GEORGI KOZUHAROV (Photo credit should read GEORGI KOZUHAROV/AFP/Getty Images)
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** FILE ** In this March 10, 2008 file photo, Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini is shown during a news conference ahead of a Champions League, round of 16, return-leg soccer match against Liverpool, at the Inter headquarters in Appiano Gentile, Italy. Inter Milan announced the firing of coach Roberto Mancini on Thursday, May 29, 2008, less than two weeks after the club clinched its third straight Serie A title. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
AP
** FILE ** In this March 11, 2008 file photo, Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini reacts during a Champions League, round of 16 return-leg soccer match against Liverpool, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy. Inter Milan announced the firing of coach Roberto Mancini on Thursday, May 29, 2008, less than two weeks after the club clinched its third straight Serie A title. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
AP
Ivorian striker Didier Drogba, whose production fell off markedly for Chelsea this season, looks as if he's gone, off to AC Milan -- "my dream team," he says -- or, perhaps, Real Madrid. It's been apparent for weeks.
It's another story with Manchester United's ace, Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, the popular choice as current "world's greatest player." Ronaldo, just 23, has been the spark behind the Red Devils' exceptional campaign, leading them to their second successive English Premier League title (and their 10th in 16 years) and to the brink of a second European crown.
Ronaldo, who has netted 41 of United's 109 goals this season in all competitions, last week told a Madrid-based television station that he might consider a move to Real Madrid after the Champions League final. It has, of course, caused an uproar in England, with Man U legend Bobby Charlton harping over the Spanish club's "unethical" approach.
The Portuguese star, who has four years remaining on a five-year, $62.4 million contract, has tried to defuse controversy, telling United fans he's happy at Old Trafford and has no plans to depart. We'll see.
He's certainly among the keys to Wednesday's game at Luzhniki Stadium, the heart of an explosive Manchester United attack that features goal-getters Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, with Michael Carrick's nuanced passing and Paul Scholes' bombs from midfield.
It's all made possible by a tremendous backline anchored by Rio Ferdinand and Serbian standout Nemanja Vidic and by Canadian-born Owen Hargreaves' tireless work in midfield.
The difference for United could come from Scholes, who missed the stunning 1999 triumph over Bayern Munich through suspension, or from aging winger Ryan Giggs, who will surpass Charlton's record of 759 club appearances should he be called upon by coach Alex Ferguson. Giggs, 34, has lost some speed, but he can still dazzle down the flank. South Korean winger Park Ji-Sung could be the wild card. He has battled injury most of the season, but his presence makes United a better side.
Chelsea, playing in its first European title game, might have an advantage after finishing second to United, two points back, in a Premier League race that lasted until the season's final day. The Blues arguably have more talent, their roster a virtual Who's Who of world-class players.
In this photo provided by the USGA, a black bear runs across the 13th fairway during the second round of the 2008 U.S. Senior Open Championship at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Friday, August 1, 2008. (John Mummert, USGA/AP)
John Mummert, USGA/AP
Australia's Sophie Edington balances a water bottle on her forehead during a training session in the Olympic Aquatic Center at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, August 4, 2008. (David J. Phillip,AP)
David J. Phillip, AP
Flames rise around Chrissy Wallace's car after a crash in turn one the ARCA RE/MAX Series Pennsylvania 200 auto race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008. After the fire burned out, Wallace restarted her car and drove to the garage. (Russ Hamilton, AP)
Russ Hamilton, AP
Mike Mason competes in the Moto X Freestyle Final during X Games 14 on August 2, 2008 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. (Jonathan Moore, Getty Images)
Jonathan Moore, Getty Images
Houston Astros' Hunter Pence (9) and Mark Loretta, center, score to tie up the game as New York Mets catcher Ramon Castro (11) loses the ball in the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, in Houston. The Astros went on to win 5-4 in 10 innings. (Pat Sullivan, AP)
Pat Sullivan, AP
Ideye Brown (R) of FC Neuchatel Xamax fights for the ball with FC Aarau's Frederic Page (C) and goalkeeper Ivan Benito during their Super League soccer match in Neuchatel August 2, 2008. (Stefan Wermuth, Reuters)
Stefan Wermuth, Reuters
A diver practices at the National Aquatics Center ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 3, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
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Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Office Depot Ford, celebrates with a back flip after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at the Pocono Raceway on August 3, 2008 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
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U.S. Olympic basketball team center Dwight Howard makes a slam dunk during a match against Lithuania in Macau, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. (Kin Cheung, AP)
Kin Cheung, AP
Green Bay Packers safety Atari Bigby rides a small borrowed bicycle a block from Lambeau Field to Clark Hinkle Field for training camp in Green Bay, Wisconsin August 1, 2008. (Allen Fredrickson, Reuters)
Allen Fredrickson, Reuters
They're not nearly as dynamic as United, however, preferring careful buildup to an attack that often strikes off a telling pass that splits the defense. Drogba, maybe the world's top striker a year ago, has scored just 15 goals this season, but two of them came in the Champions League semifinal decider against Liverpool after his ethics were called into question by Reds manager Rafa Benitez.
Might comments from Rooney and Vidic, who on Sunday questioned Drogba's mental strength, produce a similar performance?
"Sometimes he seems as if his head's not quite there," Rooney said. Offered Vidic: "Sometimes he goes in very strong, and sometimes he pretends he's weak. He plays with your mind. … He can pretend he fell down to win a penalty, but referees know that."
Drogba figures to partner fellow Ivorian Salomon Kalou up front for Chelsea, and French striker Nicolas Anelka offers a solid option off the bench. Chelsea, like United, has a tremendous defense, led by Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech and firebrand captain John Terry. And few, if any, midfields are as deep or talented as the Blues'.
Claude Makelele, 35, remains one of the game's great holding midfielders, holding fort behind Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and German star Michael Ballack. Cole, a tremendous dribbler who creates havoc in opposing defenses, could be the pivotal player for Chelsea. So could Ballack, who after a rough start in London has emerged as perhaps the club's most influential player. He scored both goals in a 2-1 victory last month over Man U.
There is so much talent in the Chelsea midfield that Ghanaian standout Michael Essien, among the world's finest talents, has been converted to a right back for the Blues. He and left back Ashley Cole provide first-rate width.
Ferguson has won 28 trophies in 22 years with United. Chelsea's Avram Grant, from Israel, has been in charge at Stamford Bridge only since September, when "special one" Jose Mourinho stepped down.
Both clubs are foreign-owned. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has turned Chelsea from a fashionable if secondary London club into one of the world's great sides, but he's still looking for his first continental trophy. Manchester United has continued to thrive during an at-times controversial reign by American Malcolm Glazer, who also owns the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
More than 40,000 English fans are descending on Moscow, with police ready for any problems. Postgame violence after last week's UEFA Cup final in Manchester, in which a fan of winner Zenit St. Petersburg was stabbed, has cast a shadow on this match.
No matter what happens off the field, this could be one of the classic finals in Europe. Yes, the teams offered a tedious display in last year's F.A. Cup final, won by Chelsea, but expect instead something closer to the sizzler in London three weeks ago.
Blasts From the Past
Let's recap the previous Chelsea-Manchester United meetings this season:
Aug. 5: Charity Shield at Wembley, 1-1 tie (Man United wins on penalties, 3-0)
Both sides were missing key personnel for the traditional curtain-raiser, in which Chelsea's French winger Florent Malouda, just before halftime, answered Ryan Giggs' 35th-minute goal. The hero was Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who stopped all three Chelsea penalty kicks -- by Claudio Pizarro, Frank Lampard and Shaun Wright-Phillips -- in the shootout.
Sept. 23: Premier League at Old Trafford, Man United wins 2-0
The Red Devils dominate, outshooting visiting Chelsea, 19-4, to spoil coach Avram Grant's first game in charge following Jose Mourinho's surprise resignation. The Blues are out of it after John Mikel Obi is red-carded for a studs-up challenge on Patrice Evra in the 32nd minute, and Carlos Tevez gets the only goal needed in first-half stoppage, heading home a cross from Giggs. Louis Saha adds another in the final minute, converting a controversial penalty. The loss drops Chelsea out of the top six in the Premiership.
April 26: Premier League at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea wins 2-1
The Blues pull even on points, but not goal difference, with first-place Man U as Michael Ballack scores twice, heading in a feed from Didier Drogba in the 45th minute and converting a penalty kick in the 86th after Michael Carrick handles Michael Essien's cross. Wayne Rooney nets United's goal after a Ricardo Carvalho blunder. Chelsea exits with momentum for the final push in the title race, in which it will finish two points behind its rival.
Who Will Win?
It's prediction time, and no question this game is a tossup. I'm going with Chelsea, 2-1, with Drogba and Lambard scoring goals. Tevez will tally for Man United.
