Javier Mascherano really is looking dodgy right now, and he's just let Wayne Rooney blow past him on a long ball forward by Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United are doing this a lot, but are mostly offside). The England forward nearly latched onto the bounce and would have been clear through on goal but for an intervention by Victor Valdes at the edge of his own penalty area that could very nearly have gone horribly wrong for the goalkeeper.
UEFA Champions League Final 2011: United Threaten Twice In Quick Succession
Barcelona still aren't learning, though! Ryan Giggs goes with a slide-rule defence splitting pass, Gerard Pique leaves it for some reason, and Javier Hernandez is clean through on goal if he can get the ball round Valdes. He can't, and the chance is gone, and then Barcelona launch their first real attack, eventually seeing David Villa winning a corner off Rio Ferdinand. We're still at 0-0 twelve minutes in.
For news, opinion, and feature articles leading up to the UEFA Champions League final, bookmark this StoryStream and check it often. We’ll have new posts right here throughout the week, during the game, and after the game. For more on the entire world of football, check out SB Nation Soccer. Manchester United fans should head over to The Busby Babe, while Barcelona fans should check out Barca Blaugranes.
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