By Subhankar Mondal
26 May 2011 17:09:00
UEFA CL: Didier Deschamps, Marseille
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Didier Deschamps has revealed his respect for Manchester United duo Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney, believing the pair form the “perfect passing relationship”.
The England international had a disappointing first half of the 2010-11 campaign but has been in form in recent weeks, and the Marseille coach feels the forward’s understanding with his Mexican partner could be the key to beating Barcelona in the Champions League final.
“United defend very well and attack very sharply,” said Deschamps in an interview with Uefa.com. “Their plus point for this final will be Wayne Rooney because he is less tired than the others; he can make the difference.
“As well as being able to play in four different positions, he never makes a mistake with his distribution of the ball. He also has great stamina and aggression.
“The relationship between Rooney and ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez impresses me; in terms of movement, the latter is awesome. They always know where the other one is; it is a perfect passing relationship.”
Marseille lost 2-1 on aggregate to United in the round of 16 of Europe’s premier club competition this season, but Deschamps says that Barcelona will provide Sir Alex Ferguson’s side with a tougher test.
“I prefer Barca because attacking play is the aim of football; getting the right result by having more possession than your opponent,” explained the 42-year-old. “They have played together for five, six, seven or eight years now. They are steeped in this style of game, it’s natural to them.
“Watching their movement on the pitch, you can only marvel at how they manage to instill their way of playing into players from all backgrounds – it is an impressive feat. Barca are strong in the middle with players like Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, and then spectacular attackers like Lionel Messi.”
Underlining the difference in style between the two European giants, Deschamps, a Champions League winner with both Marseille and Juventus, opined: “Barcelona and Manchester are great teams, the best in the world, with two different styles but one obsession, one aim: having the ball at their feet.
“With Barcelona, it’s fabulous; with United, it’s more controlled. The English side, unlike the Catalonian outfit, don’t mind coming under pressure – they can hold their place 30 metres from their goal line, lying in wait, and when they launch a counterattack, they are devilishly precise.”