Champions League - Ferdinand fit for Rome

Eurosport - Wed, 27 May 19:21:00 2009

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has declared himself fit for Wednesday's Champions League final against Barcelona.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Champions League - Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and team-mates during a training session a day before the UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium in Rome - 0

The England centre-half has been troubled by a calf problem and sat out Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win at Hull City despite manager Alex Ferguson saying he wanted him to prove his fitness.

"The injury is fine, I've been training for the last couple of days with the team and I feel good," he said.

"I wouldn't start the game if I wasn't 100 per cent fit. I wouldn't do that to the team. I don't see any problems from training for two or three days."

The 30-year-old was immense in helping United to the trophy last season, especially in their rearguard action away to Barcelona in the semi-finals.

That 0-0 draw was followed by a 1-0 home win by United but Ferdinand wants his side to attack on Wednesday rather than starting on the back foot in a one-off final.

"Defending so deep against such talented players can be dangerous. But we are capable of doing both. That is the strength we have as a squad and a team," he said.

Barca's inspirational playmaker Lionel Messi has often been quiet against English opposition and Ferdinand is confident United's defence can subdue the Argentine again.

"It will be difficult whoever plays against him, he is a fantastic player with great control but we've done it before," he added.

Ferguson's team will become the first to seal back-to-back European Cups in the Champions League era if they win on Wednesday. Ferdinand, though, was nonplussed by the possible milestone.

"We just want to win it and you guys can determine our place in history. We just want to win the competition we are in and there's a big one tomorrow," he said ahead of his team taking their final training session on Rome's Stadio Olimpico pitch.

World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a bullet header at the Olimpico against Roma in last season's quarters, was looking forward to playing in Rome again.

"To be honest this is a great stadium," the Portuguese said. "It feels very good to play here. In my opinion I've played well here. It's amazing."

Ronaldo, who missed a penalty in last season's shootout in the final against Chelsea, said the team had practised spot-kicks a lot this time.

Reuters

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  1. MUCH harder game when they dont get a REFEREE on THEIR­ side like EVERY game in the Premier league !!!
    Hope­ tevez signs for another club as Man Utd are always­ trying to get players on the cheap, and as one said,­ should Tevez be allowed to play when the Hammers got­ done ?
    OH i forgot, Man U are ABOVE ANY soccer rules in­ the Premier league thats why, and baby ronaldo awwwwww­ give him his rattle back ... someone

    From Drew W, on Wed 27 May 9:42PM

  2. Ferdinand is fit for nothing.

    From B, on Wed 27 May 9:27PM

  3. TEVEZ - playing ILLEGALLY for two years.

    Nuff said.

    From ghettovest, on Wed 27 May 7:20PM

  4. No sloppy passes and poor marking should not be­ countenanced by Man U if they want to win this­ evening`s match. Prompt tackling and dispossession of­ their opponents of the ball,as well as shooting at­ their opponent`s goal from all angles and distances­ should feature prominently in Man U`s tactics.God bless­ Man U forever. Kumbe, S . Nigeria.

    From SoBarikor, on Wed 27 May 5:30PM

  5. Rio should be tested for drugs before and after the­ match. Doped up dumb Man U player

    From Godwin, on Wed 27 May 5:22PM

  6. Mind games are a sign of weakness, Rio is a total liar,­ something he learned from Alcoholic Al. Being a liar is­ a form of cheating, typical of Rio the junkie, good­ combi really I suppose for NW ar sehol es, drink and­ drugs...what next stealing the cup????

    From Diehard Italian Fan, on Wed 27 May 4:18PM

  7. Henry is @#$%

    From pegez, on Wed 27 May 3:25PM

  8. eto'o and messi are the 2 ugliest players in­ football!

    Messi is a one-trick pony. Evra will have­ him in his pocket

    3-1 United

    From pegez, on Wed 27 May 3:22PM

  9. GO THRASH EM UTD! WIPE THE SMILES OFF ALL THE FACES.

    From L H, on Wed 27 May 3:13PM

  10. he was always going to be fit, I think it was Fergie­ mind games suggesting other wise

    From liam, on Wed 27 May 1:45PM

  11. hi, the love of man u is in m, and i know that the cup­ is fro tham , up man u, i love u all

    From emmanuel e, on Wed 27 May 1:41PM

  12. hi, the love of man u is in m, and i know that the cup­ is fro tham , up man u, i love u all

    From emmanuel e, on Wed 27 May 1:41PM

  13. woop woop barca are still goin to beat united!!!!! it­ doesent really matter whether rio is fit or not so­ VIVENEN BARCA!!!!!!

    From smiley123, on Wed 27 May 12:41PM

  14. stevehaynes29
    They're anti-depressants. They're­ handed out for free at Anfield.

    From Gearoid, on Wed 27 May 12:36PM

  15. BARCA ARE MORE CLASSY.
    CLASSY FANS, A CLASSY TEAM, PURE­ CLASS THE WAY THEIR SPONSERS ARE FREE UNICEF , CLASSY­ STADIUM, AND A CLASSY MANAGER

    MAN UTD ARE NONE OF THE­ ABOVE

    From FoeyP, on Wed 27 May 12:14PM

  16. UTD WILL GET WASTED TONIGHT 3-1 TO BARCA HIP HIP HOORAY­ HIP HIP HOORAY

    From FoeyP, on Wed 27 May 12:10PM

  17. May ua History be in vain today as u visit Rome.Barca­ tailor them­ 3-0.
    Goalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
    S­ indani-Kenya

    From geofrey, on Wed 27 May 11:59AM

  18. I cant wait...I just cant­ wait.....arrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh!!!

    From Tambu, on Wed 27 May 11:07AM

  19. Hey Rafascrackingup.I thought scousehater said theirs­ only SCUM in liverpool...

    From Marge Simpson., on Wed 27 May 11:05AM

  20. RED ARMY

    From glenn, on Wed 27 May 10:54AM
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