Champions League

SIR ALEX FERGUSON thinks he made a mistake trying to deal with Lionel Messi that cost Manchester United the 2011 Champions League final.The legendary Scot wishes he’d put United favourite Park Ji-sung on the Argentine superstar at Wembley and reckons his side would have won if he had.
Sir Alex Ferguson says he made a mistake in the 2011 Champions League final that cost his sideCredit: Sport Bible
The Scot wishes he’d put Park Ji-sung on Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
The Red Devils were beaten 3-1 on the night with Messi playing a massive part for the Catalan giants.
Wayne Rooney cancelled out Pedro’s strike to see the teams go in level at the break.
But six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was scintillating in the second-half and was instrumental in putting the tie beyond Fergie’s side.
And speaking during a SportBible Q&A with Gary Neville, Ferguson, 79, admitted he regrets his half-time hesitation.
He said: “That’s where I lost the final against Barcelona at Wembley.
“I should have changed at half-time and put Park Ji-sung on Messi.
“That was a mistake… I was going to do it at half-time, then I said: ‘Well, we just equalised before half-time, they may see the game differently, we may grow into the game better.’
“We were actually quite good in the last 10 minutes of that half. We came into it and we could have been in front. But if I’d played Park against Messi, I think we’d have beat them. I really do.”
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Messi scored a world class long range effort to make it 2-1 before a trademark mazy run in the build up to David Villa’s final nail in the coffin.
Much-loved Park was generally under-rated during his time at Old Trafford but many of his former team-mates credit him with being the engine of the side.
The popular South Korean won four Premier League titles, one Champions League and four League Cups during his time in Manchester.
During the same interview, Ferguson revealed he thought Dele Alli was going to be a ‘top player’ and has been wondering what has happened to the Tottenham man.
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GARETH BALE has defended Eden Hazard for laughing after Real Madrid’s recent Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea.The Belgian was labelled a ‘disgrace’ by fans of the Spanish club, while El Chiringuito pundits blasted that he should be sold.
Hazard had a laugh with his old Chelsea palsCredit: BT Sport
Bale, 31, knows what it’s like to be an outcast at Real MadridCredit: AP
But Bale, who himself has been a pantomime villain in Madrid, has come to the defence of Hazard, insisting that it’s ‘just a game of football’.
Referencing the now-infamous El Chiringuito clips, Bale, 31, told The Times Magazine: “I’ve seen it.
“It was literally as if he’d just murdered everybody. It’s a game of football at the end of the day.”
After being seen in fits of laughter with old mate Kurt Zouma in the immediate aftermath of Madrid’s Champions League exit, Hazard was called ‘another Bale’ – after the Welshman’s attitude was criticised last season.
One pundit even said: “There are some players who come to Real Madrid, but Real Madrid does not go into them. He can’t stay a minute more at Real Madrid.”
Some fans blasted Hazard for being a ‘disgrace’ and ‘lacking professionalism’ with some even demanding he is ‘sold immediately’.
And Spanish newspapers AS and Marca both gave him a zero in their player ratings.
Hazard, 30, has managed 43 appearances since sealing his dream move to the Spanish capital from Chelsea in 2019 – scoring only five times.
Hazard had a front row seat as Bale was reduced to a clownish figure last termCredit: EPA
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And in a recent conversation with former club Lille’s website, he admitted to going missing in certain big games.
He said: “At Lille, Chelsea, with the national team and now at Real Madrid, there have been great games in which I didn’t respond, I can’t hide it.”
Hazard could be re-joined on the Real Madrid naughty step by Bale in the coming months, with the winger set to return from his mixed loan spell at Spurs.
Bale, whose £600,000-a-week contract still has another year to run, could then RETIRE aged just 32 – with AS saying his career is winding down.
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CHELSEA are set to wear their infamous third ‘Crystal Palace’ kit for the Champions League final.The game looks to have been given away by competition sponsors Gazprom on social media.
Champions League sponsors Gazprom have hinted Chelsea will wear their infamous third kit in the finalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/gazpromfootball/
The third kit made its debut in September’s 3-3 draw at West Brom
And it means should Chelsea win the showpiece event against Premier League champions Manchester City, they will lift the trophy wearing a jersey officially voted the worst in world football.
Chelsea reached their third Champions League final after seeing off Real Madrid in the semis.
Thomas Tuchel’s men will now take on Pep Guardiola’s side for the third time in just over a month, with City set to wear their classic sky-blue home kit.
And having won the previous two encounters, Chelsea are sure to be in a confident mood.
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However, if Gazprom’s social media post – regarding a ticket giveaway for the final – is correct, Chelsea will be taking to the field in Portugal in red-and-blue stripes.
The alternative kit was slammed by Blues fans when it was revealed in September, with many comparing it to the home jersey of London rivals Crystal Palace.
The shirt made its debut later that month in the 3-3 draw with West Brom, prompting others to add Chelsea not only looked like Palace, but played like them too.
However, the third kit’s finest – or worst – hour was yet to come.

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Chelsea’s third kit was voted the worst in world football

In December, almost 2,000 people voted it the worst football kit in the world.
The unwanted award was given by Footy Headlines, with Chelsea taking 22 per cent of the vote ahead of monstrosities from Wolves and the Baggies.
It now remains to be seen if the Blues can have the last laugh as they bid for more Champions League glory against a City side making their debut in the final.

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