It’s easy to criticise somebody for play acting a lot of the time and diving unnecessarily the minute he gets touched on the pitch, but it is my belief that because he is so clever on the ball he draws the foul from the opposing player. Watch how many times he receives the ball in tight positions with no where to go, and then gets fouled. I think that many people who question his motives and call him a cheat are in fact totally wrong. I actually think his skill, touch and awareness on the pitch is to be admired.

When talking about Barcelona, it is Messi, Xavi and Iniesta who get all the plaudits, and rightly so for their immense talents and possession football. But I don’t believe these players would have the freedom and space on the pitch if it wasn’t for Busquets. Recently Swansea City have been praised for their style of football. The one thing that has been talked about is the fact that they are always creating triangles all over the pitch which allows them to suck players in and then play through teams. This is the exact same as what Busquets gives to this Barcelona side, angles. He is like a wall that every Barcelona player plays the ball off and receives it back in a different position.

For such a young man, he knows the game so well. He reads situations like no one I have ever seen at such a young age before. Very rarely is he caught out of position and very rarely does he give the ball away. He always makes himself an option for the player with the ball and in my opinion is the best ‘defensive’ midfield player in the world.

Busquets has won 3 La Liga titles, 2 Champions League medals, 1 World Cup, 1 European Championship, 1 Copa Del Rey, 2 UEFA Supercups, 2 FIFA World Club Cups. It’s incredible to think that he has achieved all this before his 24th birthday.

He is one of the world’s most decorated players already and I feel he will continue to win trophies in years to come. In my opinion, he deserves as much praise and credit as the others in the Barcelona squad and it’s only a matter of time before people start realising what a force he truly is.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

This is my first piece for Football Corner and I look forward to delivering more articles in the coming weeks and months. Don’t be afraid to check out my personal website (Forza Ger) and also, follow me on Twitter – @WhatdidKatiedo.

See you lot there.

Update: The groups for the 2011/2012 Champions League our now on our Facebook page. Feel free to check it out.

Now that the dust has settled after a historic 19^th league title for Manchester United, there is now the small matter of a Champions League final to address.

With the title in the bag and arch rivals Manchester City lifting the FA Cup, there is little left to play for regarding many of the teams in the top half of the table.

Aside from a Europa League spot still up for grabs, and an ongoing relegation battle for those still within reach of safety, it looks set to be an anticlimactic finish to the season this weekend, after what was expected to be a more closely contested title race.

United will look to rest the majority of their first team regulars against Blackpool at Old Trafford, with focus firmly placed on a trip to Wembley the following weekend. This looks set to spark controversy among the other relegation threatened teams, as it gives Blackpool a slight boost to their chances of avoiding the drop. Do we think Fergie will care? Of course not.

As for the Champions League final itself, it will be interesting to see how United tactically approach the game in an attempt to overcome what is arguably the best team in world football at the moment.

Sir Alex will deploy Wayne Rooney in a deeper role to bolster his teams midfield, as the in-form Javier Hernandez is likely to lead the line. Darren Fletcher also looks set to return to the side after a lengthy injury and will hope to add a combative edge to break down the creativity of Barcelona.

The match will be won and lost in midfield, for me. Sergio Busquets has avoided punishment after racism accusations and will be the anchor for an extremely talented Barcelona side. United must look to quell the brilliance of Xavi and Iniesta if they are to have any chance, and Messi will no doubt have his say.

If reports from Spain are to be believed, the Spanish media are also planning to forgo an injunction and release details of an ongoing scandal prior to the match in an attempt to unsettle the United dressing room. This issue will surely be revisited closer to kick-off.

It is safe to say that United have won the league rarely having to hit top gear, but this Barca team will surely be the ultimate test.

So do United have what it takes to overcome Barcelona? Are the Catalonians the best team in the world?

Keep following as we build up to what is set to be an intriguing tie, and as always, feel free to leave a comment below.

Both United and Barca have already claimed their domestic titles this season and maybe it’s time you consider taking your own title. A title loan may be worth considering for you.

After two legs of pure domination, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men ran out 6-1 winners on aggregate (4-1 winners on the night at Old Trafford). Anderson netted twice for United, while Darron Gibson and Antonio Valencia also got on the scoresheet in a comfortable win.

Jose Manuel Jurado scored arguably the goal of the night, with a powerful right-footed strike from just inside the United penalty area.

So, at the end of the day, we now know who will be competing in the Champions League Final at Wembley on the 28th of May. Barcelona v Manchester United. A repeat of the 2009 final, which the Spanish side ran out 2-0 winners in Rome.

What will happen in this year’s final? I’m predicting a 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s Barca. What about you? Comments below please.

A 1-1 draw against bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou was enough for Pep Guardiola’s men to book their place in the final, where they are likely to face Manchester United at Wembley.

Having won the 1st leg 2-0 at the Bernabeu last Wednesday, Barca went into tonight’s game with a commanding advantage, and try as they may, Real Madrid simply couldn’t turn things around.

Pedro opened the scoring on the night with 54 minutes on the clock with a superb left-footed finish after an exquisite through ball from the impressive Andres Iniesta. Marcelo gave the visitors a glimmer of hope ten minutes later when he blasted home from just yards out.

Lionel Messi was, once again, brilliant. Cristiano Ronaldo was, once again, disappointing. And Javier Mascherano was, as always, pathetic and I don’t mean in terms of his footballing performance, but the way in which he constantly reacted when fouled.

The referee didn’t give Real a thing all night. But, having said that, Ricardo Carvalho, Xabi Alonso and Lassana Diarra could all have seen red.

On a more positive note, I was chuffed to see Eric Abidal back on the pitch after his recent illness.

I never really thought I’d say this, but I’m glad we have just seen the last Clasico of the season. Bit bored of them at this stage. Also, Barcelona will destroy a fairly average Manchester United side in the final, mark my words.

Comments below please.

The 1st leg was a scrappy affair to say the least and with tensions high between both clubs, I can see tonight’s game being very similar to last week’s encounter which Barca won 2-0.

In that game, Pepe was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Dani Alves. Real boss Jose Mourinho was also sent off, along with Barca substitute keeper Pinto.

So, my advice. Get a few quid on there to be a red card tonight at a widely available 5/4. A stunning price in my opinion.

Update

Well, no red card (How? I really don’t know) so I am left with serious egg on my face.

Second-half goals from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney were enough to send the travelling United fans home very happy indeed and one would have to feel that the Premier League leaders now have one foot in the final.

Without Manuel Neuer in goal, Schalke may well have conceeded five or six in a game they rarely looked like winning. The result means that United went through this season’s Champions League campaign without conceeding a goal away from home, which really is a magnificent achievment.

Manchester United are now as short as 13/10 to win the Champions League, while their opponents, Schalke are as big as 200/1.

What did you make of tonight’s game? Were United very good or was it just that Schalke were very poor? Comments below please.

Also, I am on Twitter now and wouldn’t mind having a few more followers. Click here to start following me. That sounded weird!

Jose Mourinho and Harry Redknapp will go head-to-head for the right to face either Barcelona or Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals.

The Spanish giants go into the tie as slight favourites, but with the way Tottenham have been playing in Europe this season, you certainly can’t rule out the English side.

We want to know who you think will go through? Vote now.

Feel free to leave your comments below.