Vidic warns against Messi obsession
Reuters - Friday 27 May 2011, 02:30
MANCHESTER - Nemanja Vidic fears
Champions League heartbreak for Manchester United if they become
obsessed with shackling Lionel Messi in Saturday's final against
Barcelona at Wembley.
Vidic captained United to a record 19th English title this
month but the Serbian defensive rock knows he is in for one of
the toughtest tests of his career against the stardust quality
of Pep Guardiola's Spanish champions.
Messi scored in Barca's 2-0 victory over United in the 2009
Champions League Final in Rome and has dominated the build-up
but Vidic will not have eyes only for the twinkle-toed Argentine
goal machine.
"Messi is a great player and is really hard to stop," said
Vidic. "But I would not underestimate the other players they
have like Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta, they're really good players
who can produce good performances in the vital games.
"It is not just about one player. It's about stopping
Barcelona as a team."
Vidic remembers only too well the sight of Carles Puyol
lifting the Champions League trophy for the Catalans two years
ago and says that image is a motivating factor for Wembley.
"Obviously when you get to a final as big as that and lose
the game it's not a great feeling," added the former Spartak
Moscow player.
"To see the other team celebrate the biggest trophy you can
have, it's not a great moment.
"It's sad but we had to say that the better team won that
night. Barcelona are a great team and obviously they will have a
lot of possession during the game.
"But it is down to us to exploit their weaknesses which all
teams have."
United have no injury worries but it remains to be seen
whether manager Sir Alex Ferguson opts for a five-man midfield to
counter Barcelona's threat or gambles with a second striker.
"The gaffer has some big calls to make because all the
players are fit and it will be really hard to choose the first
11," said Vidic.