Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
After months of qualifying, league play, and knockout stages, only two teams remain in the Champions League, Europe’s premier club tournament: Manchester United of England and FC Barcelona of Spain. United, the reigning European champions, appear to have the upper hand in the match after being Barca 1-0 in the aggregate in last year’s Champions League semi-finals. But with Barcelona hungry for the treble, already winning both La Liga and the Copa del Rey (Spanish domestic cup) this season, anything looks possible in what many people are dubbing a “dream final” in the Eternal City.
Man U has a loaded roster headlined by current FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to light up defenses and score the big goal. But according to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the defense led by Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, and Nemanja Vidić will have the most importance. “They get you on that carousel and can leave you dizzy,” said SAF of Barcelona’s type of play, “But, with the right tactics, their game is containable.” Added midfielder Michael Carrick “The way Barcelona play, they can have the ball for a long time and you’ve just got to be patient, defend well and concentrate. It’s quite a bit of a mental battle. Against Barcelona you shut up, as Chelsea (Barca’s previous CL opponent) showed, and then attack them at the right time.”
But Barcelona’s potent offense has caused every opposing team trouble this year. “We’ve scored 150 goals this season,” striker Samuel Eto’o said. “For a striker there is no better place to be than this Barcelona.” Eto’o, who has 30 of those goals this season, is led in the attack by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. At just 21 years old, he is considered by many to be the best player in the world along with Cristiano Ronaldo. Barca’s goal output is also helped by Spanish international Andrés Iniesta and Frenchman Thierry Henry, who has recently discovered his excellent form from his playing days at Arsenal FC back in England.
With Barcelona’s record goal scoring and Manchester United’s desire to lock them down with a star studded back line the game looks to be a thriller for all fans regardless of team affiliation. “With Barcelona and United, no one can imagine a match so poor [as last year's final],” says a Spanish report. “It’s impossible when you’ve got Ronaldo and Messi, Xavi Hernández and Spain’s best footballer, Andrés Iniesta. Manchester United-Barcelona could be the perfect storm.”
The game starts at 2:30 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday on ESPN