Although the red and blue battle between Chelsea and Liverpool has attracted a lot of attention, the gorgeous PK between Manchester United and Barcelona is not far behind.

The Red Devils are now in full lineup and are waiting at Camp Nou to launch a momentum, but Barcelona, not only is the whole team not in good shape, but even more unfavorable is that their core player Messi has just recovered from injury and has not recovered.

Still, as long as Messi is on the pitch, no one can underestimate him. Before the match against Barcelona, two of Messi's "teammates" in the Manchester United team spoke separately about the Argentine prodigy.

Messi's striker partner in the Argentine national team, Carlos Tevez, said in an interview with Barcelona's official website that Manchester United is not afraid of Barcelona, and in the exchange with reporters, the Argentine "beast" once again showed his true temperament, and he even said bluntly: "Let him (Messi) go!" If we beat Barcelona with Messi, they have no excuses. ”

One of the reasons for saying this is that Tevez has a strong belief in his team and he is also aware of the quality of his team-mates in the national team. 'He's literally from another planet, he's amazingly explosive, he's a fantastic player.

Tevez, meanwhile, also mentioned the situation of the two teams in their respective leagues. With just three Premier League games remaining, United are two points ahead of Chelsea and will be clear of victory at Stamford Bridge at the weekend as long as they remain unbeaten, while Barcelona are different, with five games remaining in La Liga and third-placed Catalonia 11 points behind leaders Real Madrid. It's even harder to win the championship.

'They're going to come under a lot of pressure,' Tevez said, 'if the game gets into our rhythm. Barcelona are going to be in big trouble. There are 180 minutes in the game, so we can be smart and get good results on all fronts. ”

While Tevez was talking about Messi and Barca, Messi's former Barcelona youth team-mate and young centre-back Pique, who joined Manchester United in 2004, also expressed his opinion. First of all, he compared Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Of the two, Ronaldo is the more versatile, he can play left and right wingers. Not only that, but he can score a lot of goals; Messi needs a lot of chances to score, while Ronaldo is different. He seems to score in every game. 'It's clear that Pique has more appreciation for his current club team-mates.

The Spaniard, who has been in the Barca academy for seven years, is likely to face his parent club in the semi-finals on Wednesday, but he hasn't said much about the game. Just indicated. When the semi-final second leg moves to Old Trafford on 29 April, Barcelona will face a huge challenge.

'At Old Trafford we were very strong and we have conceded just 18 goals in the Premier League this season, which is a great record. It's not just the defenders and goalkeepers who are a part of it, it's a sign of how strong we are as a unit. Not only do we defend, we also attack. Jonker, Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo are all on their way to great moments. ”

La Liga Barcelona will face Manchester United of the English Premier League at Camp Nou on the 23rd for the two teams in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. After the La Liga title was almost hopeless, Barcelona, whose morale was once low, pinned their only hope on the European stage this season. However, if they are to beat the in-form Red Devils, they will need to regain their form from when they won the European Championship two years ago.

Barcelona were once seen as the epitome of flashy attacking football. In particular, the invincible team in 2006 was known as the "Dream Team" in the club's history for its sharp passing, efficient attacking and highly ornamental style of play (Barcelona won the Champions League in 1992 and were known as the "Dream Team").

However, Barcelona have won just one of their last eight La Liga games, putting coach Rijkaard under great pressure. On the 23rd, Ronaldinho will not play, because of a leg injury and recent transfer rumors, the former Camp Nou "king" will only watch from the sidelines. Therefore, Messi, who has returned from injury, will be the core of Barcelona's attack.

In addition, there is also a question mark over striker Thierry Henry's availability, as he did not play due to the flu against Espanyol in the last round of Barcelona. Rijkaard is therefore likely to send youngster Bojan alongside Lionel Messi and Samu Eto'o up front. Barcelona captain Puyol is also out of action due to suspension, meaning Marquez could partner Milito at centre-back.

For Manchester United, Camp Nou is undoubtedly their blessed place. In the 1999 Champions League final, Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in stoppage time to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 to win the title, completing the "treble" of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League that season.

If they can win on the 23rd, Manchester United will be one step closer to the goal of a "double" in the Premier League and Champions League this season. The match was against Manchester United's Paul Scholes and Gary. Neville is also significant – if the duo are able to play, it will be their 100th Champions League game.

The most recent meeting between the two teams dates back to the 1998/99 Champions League group stage, when United won the 'treble', scoring 12 goals in both games with a 3-3 scoreline.

In the history of the Champions League, the two teams have not met much in the knockout stages, and in the past two decades, the two teams have only met four times in the group stage in 1994 and 1998, with the exception of a four-goal home win over Manchester United in the group stage on November 2, 1994. The two teams have met 7 times in the past 20 years in the European competition, with both sides winning 2 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses.

The two teams have a gorgeous style of play, and they are mainly offensive tactics, and there is no shortage of players in the team who have pleasing footwork, which is destined to make the clash between the two teams extremely gorgeous. However, to win this game beautifully, both teams will have to rely on the brilliance of talented players in the team, such as Messi and Jonker and Cristiano Ronaldo.

This game is highly likely to be a frightening draw with a frightening number of goals and is expected to end 2-2.

Barcelona are currently struggling with a poor league record. They have been left by as many as 10 points by Real Madrid and have basically withdrawn from the La Liga winning group. Barcelona can only hope to make a difference in the Champions League, and Rijkaard will also hope to lift the Big Ears Cup again. An explanation to the fans.

As Cruyff said, against a Premier League team with a character like Manchester United, Barcelona must play their own style and make fewer mistakes. He said: "In terms of player quality, we are not equal. Indeed, Barcelona have players of equal quality in every position to match United's squad, with the notion of Messi's comeback, who is widely regarded as a rival to Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Andres Iniesta suffered another minor injury in the league at the weekend. I'm afraid I'm going to have to rest just after I came back. Thierry Henry was not featured in Monday's training session and may also be unavailable due to injury.

Cruyff also believes that Barcelona "need to keep possession. Don't make low-level mistakes (such as liking horizontal passes) and control the pace of the game. ”

Manchester United are likely to achieve their dream of dominating Europe again this season since 1999, and Ferguson has long regarded the current Manchester United as the strongest team in his managerial career, and the old man is likely to retire before 2012. This year is a great opportunity for him to win the Champions League again. Meantime. The lesson of last year's semi-final defeat to AC Milan will also make the current group of players even more attentive.

Needless to say, the quality of Jonk and Cristiano Ronaldo is well known, and the whole of Europe knows that they need to be limited with all their might, and big-spec players like Tevez and Rooney, who could be in danger at any time, need to have more responsibility.

Barca's defensive line is more 'aggressive' and it is unlikely that they will be able to play man-to-man and shrink back in their own defence, with the quick pull up front and the quality of the passes from a few midfielders will determine the direction of the game. It is estimated that Manchester United may draw or even lose in this game. But it's not hard to score away goals.

The British media have been idle for the past two days, and they are particularly looking forward to the Champions League semi-final between Manchester United and Barcelona at the Camp Nou three days later. Of course, they are more concerned about whether Manchester United can win the opponent. The Telegraph has brought in former Arsenal star Stuart Robson, who wrote an article focusing on tactical advice for Manchester United.

Last season's Champions League semi-final Manchester United lost to AC Milan, a two-man team of Jonker and Kaka, this defeat became a bitter fruit for Ferguson, conceding five goals over two legs, and winning three away games made the Lord more aware of the importance of defense, Robson also pointed out that the key to this season's semi-final is also defense.

'Ferguson's side were unable to display their sharp attacking and tactical play against the Italians who dominated the home stadium, and the humiliation of 3-0 taught him something.

In fact, Manchester United's backline was already very strong at that time, although Brown's ability was not as good as Ferdinand's, but his combination with Vidic in the Premier League was enough to make strikers fearful (Ferdinand was injured in both legs with Milan), but why was Manchester United defeated in Europe at once? The problem is in the midfield. Last season's AC Milan relied on Kaka (and occasionally Seedorf). Kaka, who plays as a midfielder, usually starts to break through by the time the United defenders arrive, and everyone knows how difficult it can be to stop the Brazilians who are already in action.

After the defeat to Milan, Ferguson realized, and last summer, the Lord put a lot of effort into building the depth of the team's midfield, the biggest of which was to buy Hargreaves for 17 million pounds, and the Canadian-born, Germany-raised former Bayern star is also Robson's most important man in Manchester United's away game against Barcelona.

'When he first came to Old Trafford, Hargreaves had some setbacks due to injury, but now he's there when he needs him most. At that time, Ferguson bought him to make him a barrier in front of the defence after the four men in midfield, but after his return, Hargreaves was in a position that he "shouldn't have been" in the Champions League against Roma and the league against Arsenal. 'In recent games, Hargreaves has done what should have been done by Carrick, impressing us with his interception, passing ability and perpetual motion machine-like body.

In Robson's view, United's other midfielders are not as well-rounded as Hargreaves. Carrick is a good passer and playmaker, but defensively much less impressive, and was a regular starter in last season's defeat at Milan (and in the first leg, too). Scholes, on the other hand, has played a big role this season, but it is natural for people to get old and frail, although Ferguson has promised Ginger that he will play in the final (if he scores). But judging by the form he showed when he played against Arsenal and Blackburn, the veteran is now embarrassed.

Finally, Robson noted. United will make a big fuss in midfield when they play Barcelona away: "I believe Manchester United will send three midfielders in the middle of the midfield, two in front and one forward, the player in front of him is the core, Carrick should have been in that position, but on the road, I think Hargreaves is the better candidate. ”

Before the big game, "Daily Sport" invited a number of legendary stars in Barcelona's history to comment on the positions of both sides. Every superstar is commenting on exactly where he was when he played.

Miguel Reyna is the father of Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reyna and was also Barcelona's main goalkeeper in the sixties and seventies. In the elder Reina's opinion, Van der Sar is slightly better than Valdés. "There is one question that can never be avoided. Van der Sar has more experience than Valdés. Both of them have proven their greatness, but I think experience means a lot to a goalkeeper. "Barca's main goalkeeper in the fifties, Ramaretz, does not agree with Reina's statement." Van der Sar is the guarantee of victory, Valdés is the future of the team, and I don't think either team will lose to the goalkeeper. Skill and experience are Van der Sar's strengths. Valdés' positioning, reflexes and grit were slightly superior. ”

Rafael Nadal was the main centre-back in the Barcelona Dream Team era. He was in charge of the defensive commentary: "Zambrotta and Brown are similar, they are both better defensively than attacking, and I think they are evenly matched. Marquis is the leader of the centre-back, but I think Rio Ferdinand is slightly better than him and the Englishman has the more appeal. Compared to Vidic, Milito's situation is similar to Marquis's. Abidal and Evra are completely opposite types, Abidal is stronger and Evra relies on speed. Between the two of them. I appreciate Abidal more. ”

Munoz, who was Barca's main striker in the 80s, spoke about the contrast between the midfielders: "Barca's advantage is the long possession of the ball. Andres Iniesta and Xavi's creativity is very important and the players have to respond in depth. Manchester United's counter-attacks were sharp and Toure would play a vital role in defence. But it's not a matter for the midfielders, the whole team needs to contribute to possession, and Barca's midfield is one less person than Manchester United. ”

Last season, AC Milan vs Premier League (Liverpool), Milan won. Now it's Barcelona's turn to face Manchester United in the Champions League semi-finals, and if they do manage to progress, they will still face the winner of the Premier League, between Liverpool and Chelsea.

If last season's results are any of the same, Barcelona are expected to make a comeback in Moscow on 21 May. Although the current situation is in England's favour, it is likely that the trophy will be won by the Spanish side.

Three English teams have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League this season and at least one team will reach the final, but it is quite another to lift the trophy, having only lifted it twice since 1984. Since then, Italy have won the title seven times, Spain five, and in 2006 it was Barcelona who beat Arsenal to win the title.

AC Milan finished fourth in Serie A in 2007, but they saved themselves by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final. Like Milan a year ago, Barcelona has no hope of a domestic league due to injuries and other reasons, and is currently fourth in the league, 11 points behind leaders Real Madrid, the Champions League has become the last straw, with Messi, Eto'o and Deco returning from injury, Barcelona will be confident enough to face Manchester United at home to Camp Nou this Wednesday, in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Barcelona began to shift their focus from the domestic league to Europe after a 0-0 draw with Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, but the squad began to come under pressure since falling behind Real Madrid in the league. At the beginning of this season, Henry joined, plus Messi, Eto'o and Ronaldinho, Barcelona hoped to achieve a great cause, but the French have not been able to integrate into the team, and Messi and Eto'o have not been injured for a long time, Ronaldinho has gained weight and has been accused of too much nightlife, and even rumors that the Brazilian is going to join Milan, with the gradual growth of the 17-year-old Bojan, Barcelona is still capable of fighting Manchester United, and now the question is how to regain confidence.

In the first leg at home, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Thierry Henry and Bojan have allowed manager Rijkaard to field his strongest squad and hopefully hold out until the second leg at Old Trafford. But if you can't do it. Then the Champions League final will be a Premier League derby for the first time, the Premier League will truly become the first league, and Rijkaard will not rule out finding another way.

February 6, 1958. Manchester United suffered the terrible Munich air disaster. Ten years later, Sir Busby led Charlton Athletic, Best and others to defeat Benfica 4-1 in the Champions League final to win the first Champions Cup in the club's history, comforting 23 souls in heaven with a great victory. Now, 50 years later, Ferguson and his disciples are just three games away from Champions League glory and now they need to win against another team from the Iberian Peninsula – Barcelona.

In an interview with Barcelona's official television, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was the first to recall the past. "In the 1998-99 season, the two games in Barcelona and Manchester were actually 3-3. Those were two great games. But let's not forget that Cruyff's 'Dream Team' bloodied us 4-0 at Old Trafford in 1994. Recalling this seemingly somewhat gloomy memory, the "old man" is to prove to others the weight of the two sides. 'These big scores show that both sides are great teams that love attacking, and it would be great if the two games in the semi-finals could be like that!'

Barcelona are currently in a bad league game and Ferguson is well aware of their opponents. "Recent form is an issue for them. Especially in La Liga. The frequent absence of key players such as Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o has made Barcelona's situation a bit difficult. Of course, Messi's return will make the game more exciting and difficult. ”

Despite this, this season's impressive record has emboldened him to threaten to charge at the Barcelona goal away from home, "Manchester United will still go to Camp Nou with a positive attitude." No matter who the opponent is, we have to play our own style and tomorrow we will play attacking football. ”

As for the hellish home of Camp Nou, the Red Devils boss admits frankly. I do have some fears, "The special atmosphere here can be said to be fascinating. Camp Nou can hold 100,000 fans...... but he reverted, "I don't know how many tickets Manchester United fans will get, if 25,000 Manchester fans can come to help, they can suppress the momentum of the home fans and turn the away stadium into a home stadium." ”

April 23 is a beautiful day, the day of the Catalan popular festival "St. George's Day". Legend has it that the warrior George slays the dragon to save the princess and receives a gift from the princess in return - a book that symbolizes knowledge and power. Later, on this day every year, Catalan women would give a book to their husbands or boyfriends, and men would return a rose. This day has thus become a symbol of love and strength. In 1995, UNESCO named the day "World Book Day".

But for FC Barça, it was a nightmare date, with a vicious curse. Historically, Barcelona have twice played Champions League semi-finals on 23 April, only to be eliminated on both occasions. This time, Rijkaard and his disciples will also play in the semi-finals of the Champions League on St. George's Day. "It seems that Barcelona have met the conditions to disappoint their fans once again." Madrid media sarcastically.

Barça's first unpleasant encounter on St. George's Day was in 1975. In 1974, after 13 seasons of missing out on the La Liga title, Barcelona lifted the league trophy under Cruyff, which gave them their first Champions Cup ticket since losing the final against Benfica in 1961. The following season, the Barcelona went to the Champions Cup with a vengeful flame, and the survival of Cruyff, Neeskens, Rexage and other famous players also made fans look forward to this team, however, their dream was ended in the semi-finals. In the semi-finals against Leeds United, Barcelona lost 1-2 away in the first leg, and on April 23, Barcelona was forced to draw 1-1 at home, and Cruyff also missed the opportunity to face Beckenbauer in the final.

Twenty-seven years later, history repeats itself. Barcelona met Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League, with the first leg taking place on 23 April 2002 against Real Madrid at Camp Nou. Losing 2-0 at home to Real Madrid in the first leg, the goalscorers were Zinedine Zidane and McManaman, it can be said that after the first leg, Barcelona's elimination was basically doomed, and sure enough, a week later, Barcelona only won a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid eliminated their rivals to reach the final and won the ninth Champions Cup in the club's history.

Six years later, fate linked Barcelona to "St. George's Day" again, and I wonder if Barcelona will be able to enjoy the joyful atmosphere of the festival this time. (To be continued......)