27th May, 2011
Tomorrow’s evening, two of the world’s great football clubs, FC Barcelona of Spain and England’s Manchester United, will clash in the UEFA Champions League final at one of the grand cathedrals of the football world, Wembley Stadium, the victors will be crowned the kings of Europe.
There is recent history between the two giants; United were victorious three seasons ago in a Champions League semi-final tie after Paul Scholes’ cracker at Old Trafford sent his side to the final, where the Reds went on to defeat Chelsea on penalties. Just a year later, Barcelona earned vengeance in Rome during the final in a convincing 2-0 victory over United.
Now just two years later, the two sides meet again and will not only battle for European glory in London, but United will also look to earn respect from critics who say the current side lack “fantasy” whilst their Catalan counterparts will look to cement their legacy as one of football’s all-time great sides.
United come into the tie as champions of England for a record 19th time, a feat that allowed them to knock bitter rival Liverpool FC off their perch. The English giants have lifted the European Cup three times during their prestigious history, the last two under the guidance of current manager Sir Alex Ferguson. It was 43 years ago, at old Wembley Stadium, when manager Sir Matt Busby led the Reds, with past greats Bobby Charlton and George Best, to their first taste of European triumph over Benfica and the great Eusebio. If Fergie is able to lead his side to victory tomorrow at new Wembley, with current greats Ryan Giggs and Scholes, he will then join Liverpool’s Bob Paisley as the only other manager to lift the European Cup thrice.
The side from Catalonia enter the final as champions of Spain for the third consecutive season. Much praise and adulation has come the way of this current edition of Barcelona as their uniquely brilliant brand of football has brought a collection of winner’s medals in recent seasons. Just as United did in 1968, the Catalan club lifted their first European Cup at old Wembley in 1992; and they also share the feat of being crowned champions of Europe on three occasions. Barcelona have become a symbol of Catalan culture and this is embodied by the club motto: Mes que un club (translation: More than a club).
Ferguson has hinted that he is leaning towards a tactical approach that is more in keeping with United’s attacking traditions.
“We have players who can cause any team a lot of bother and hopefully those attacking players will give Barcelona the problems that everyone thinks they are going to give us,” Ferguson said.
“I think we will see a spectacular match, as long as neither of us is scared of losing,” said Pep Guardiola, Barca boss.
“The problem with any final is that someone must lose. You must be intuitive and know what they [the other team] will do.
“I think we will see a good final and it will be marvellous, but that is what Wembley needs as well.