Barcelona might be playing the best football but they have realistically earned a few lot of haters after all their controversies this year.
Champions League football has seen many and many surprises, shocks and thrills over the past few years and undoubtedly, Manchester United and Barcelona have been the two best teams in recent times. Vivid images of Paul Scholes’ wonder goal against Barcelona definitely pop up to mind. Lionel Messi's superiority at Rome is another one too.
But this season has been an indifferent season for the Catalans. Indeed they have been exquisite this season- especially when there's a player scoring an odd 50 goals for them, but there have been several unwanted incidents that has been widely criticized.
Not many Arsenal fans would want to have another look at their defeat to Barca two months ago. Robin Van Persie's controversial sending off allowed the Catalan to totally dictate the Nou Camp as they comfortably progressed into the quarter finals.
Worse still, the Clasico semi final between Real Madrid and them sparked another huge row between UEFA's so called 'favoritism' towards the Blaugranas. There is no need to mention and recap about what happened because enough of things has been said and debated on this topic.
So Saturday provides a chance for United to satisfy all the Barcelona-haters, lead by Jose Mourinho I suppose. The Madrid manager has bombarded the Catalans too many times that even Guardiola lost his temper prior to their first leg match a month ago.
The 'Barca-Haters Association' goes back to even two seasons ago with that Tom Henning incident at Stamford Bridge. Last season, it was at the San Siro with Thiago Motta's sending off. This season, the heat has only been radiated worse.
While we can keep on debating and discussing on this topic, it is important to remember that Saturday's event will showcase two of the best teams with two spectacular managers. There’s nothing to take away from Barcelona’s unprecedented success this season.
So, whether or not all those incidents were made with intent or rather a co-incidence, the Catalans are still exemplary products of football at its best.
And for this fact alone, let's hope that controversy is kept out of Wembley.
But this season has been an indifferent season for the Catalans. Indeed they have been exquisite this season- especially when there's a player scoring an odd 50 goals for them, but there have been several unwanted incidents that has been widely criticized.
Not many Arsenal fans would want to have another look at their defeat to Barca two months ago. Robin Van Persie's controversial sending off allowed the Catalan to totally dictate the Nou Camp as they comfortably progressed into the quarter finals.
Worse still, the Clasico semi final between Real Madrid and them sparked another huge row between UEFA's so called 'favoritism' towards the Blaugranas. There is no need to mention and recap about what happened because enough of things has been said and debated on this topic.
So Saturday provides a chance for United to satisfy all the Barcelona-haters, lead by Jose Mourinho I suppose. The Madrid manager has bombarded the Catalans too many times that even Guardiola lost his temper prior to their first leg match a month ago.
The 'Barca-Haters Association' goes back to even two seasons ago with that Tom Henning incident at Stamford Bridge. Last season, it was at the San Siro with Thiago Motta's sending off. This season, the heat has only been radiated worse.
While we can keep on debating and discussing on this topic, it is important to remember that Saturday's event will showcase two of the best teams with two spectacular managers. There’s nothing to take away from Barcelona’s unprecedented success this season.
So, whether or not all those incidents were made with intent or rather a co-incidence, the Catalans are still exemplary products of football at its best.
And for this fact alone, let's hope that controversy is kept out of Wembley.
