For All The Marbles - Champions Style

By J.A. Maio
Love of Sports Correspondent

For those keeping score in the silverware category, it’s 2-0, with Manchester United taking the Community Shield and EPL title from Chelsea, with the Champions League title - arguably the most prized treasure in European football - still to play for.

These two sides have been neck-and-neck since the starting gun this season, but both have had their eyes securely fixed on the title of Europe’s top football club.

United will be riding high heading into the big final in Moscow. The Red Devils closed out the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory at Wigan, and the team has little to worry about in the way of injuries and the hunger to cap one of the great seasons in club history.

Since the close of the season, the usual transfer noise surrounding the 41-goal scorer Player of the Year, and recently named Portugal’s Euro 2008 captain, Cristiano Ronaldo has arisen, but otherwise there’s been little to distract the team. All quiet on the Manchester front.

On the pitch, all eyes will be on the talismanic play of Ronaldo, who will be the focal point of United’s attack and Chelsea’s defense.  If he’s given space to carry and run at the somewhat static defense of the Blues, the match could be over early. Pair that with Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, Nani and the recently resurgent Park Ji-Sung pressing forward, it could be a long day for Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

As for the Blues, noise and question marks appear to be their specialty once they step off the pitch. Shortly after the Devils hoisted the EPL title, Chelsea boss Avram Grant ran to the press claiming that some officials were “influenced” and helped hand the title to United. I’m sure he thought that would take the focus off of his players and bring it upon himself so they could focus on the Champions League final.

Sure!

Perhaps it did take the heat off his players for a few minutes and got his name in the headlines, but it brought the media circus to town and didn’t change the fact his lads didn’t do their job in the last game. They knew they needed to win to even to have a shot, but they didn’t and that’s a fact. Titles are meant to be earned, and the Blues didn’t earn that one.

Continuing with the media mayhem, star striker Didier Drogba did his part to create more unrest with his continuous and perpetual waffling regarding his possible departure to Italian giant AC Milan. Furthermore, there’s still some question regarding his fitness heading into the final, but all reports seem to be that he’ll be ready to play.

One also has to take into account the extraordinary pressure that comes with playing for a Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, who will be keen on impressing his high-powered friends and family by winning on his native soil. With questions already buzzing about Grant’s ears regarding his future with the club, you can be sure he knows losing this match will could be the end of his career at Chelsea.

Beyond all of the hoopla, there are two worries all Chelsea has to handle: the health of John Terry and Ashley Cole. The Blues captain suffered an injury during their final EPL match colliding with Petr Cech and was forced to be carted off. Terry’s a true footballer and doesn’t go to ground easily. No dirty challenges. No excuses. He’ll be on the pitch, but how effective he’ll be against the pace of United’s attack will be the question.

As for Cole, the afternoon before the match he was chopped down by a reckless challenge from teammate Claude Makelele during training. He continued to work out, but didn’t move too fluidly. Marshalling the left side of the Chelsea defense, he’ll be facing a lot of Ronaldo. If he isn’t 100 percent, Grant’s going to have to think about having Wayne Bridge at the ready very early on.

There’s no question this is Manchester United’s title to lose. The players should be loose with little distraction and everything to play for. Look for Sir Alex Ferguson to field a strong attacking team that’ll test Chelsea’s defense early and often, keeping the Blues on their heels.

Chelsea, with their injury concerns, will have to weather the early storm and control the ball through the midfield, and they have the talent to do so. As much as I’d love to see Drogba paired with Nicolas Anelka in attack, look for Grant to leave him alone up front and go with a 4-5-1 formation. They’ll have to lean heavily on the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Claude Makelele and the grossly underrated talents of Joe Cole.

The bottom line is that Manchester United possesses the positive momentum to bowl right over Chelsea’s defenses and complete the double. There’s just too much friction and dissent within the West London club, and I’m sure Abramovich has emphasized the importance of winning in Moscow. Grant’s job, in all likelihood, will depend on it. The Red Devils cruise 3-1.