Barcelona vs Manchester United, Champion's League Preview

Tonight from 7:45-9:35pm GMT or possibly longer, the world will come to a standstill when Barcelona take on Manchester United in club football's biggest match.

This is the final that many have been dreaming of, one of the world's best defence will take on one of the world's best attacking force.

If Man United win they will be the first team in 20 years to win back-to-back Champion's League titles. Tonights match will be Manchester United's fourth Champion's League final but it will be Barcelona's sixth Champion's League final.

It was also announced on Monday that Switzerland's Massimo Busacca will be the referee for the Champions League final. Busacca refereed the game between Manchester United and Barcelona in the first leg of last season's Champion's League match. The match finished 0-0 but he did award United an early penalty, which Cristiano Ronaldo missed.

During last nights training, Ronaldo's right ankle was bandaged up but he did take part in training and luckily it is only thought to be precautionary. Rio Ferdinand did say in Manchester United's press conference yesterday that his injury is fine so hopefully he will be in United's starting line-up.

Ferdinand said: "There's no way I'd play if my fitness was detrimental to the team - there's no problems. I am fine".

Manchester United are definitely without Darren Fletcher who was shown a straight red card against Arsenal, he has travelled and is with the squad.

We still don't know whether or not Thierry Henry or Andres Iniesta are fit to play, they both did take part in Barcelona's training session.

Xavi Hernandez is optimistic and thinks they could both play,
"The overall impression is good, as much for the players as us knowing we can have them".

Barcelona are definitely without Dani Alves and Eric Abidal, they are both suspended for the Champions League final. Abidal was shown a straight red against Chelsea and Alves was shown a yellow card, due to the amount of yellow cards he had already picked up in the Champion's League he was handed a one match suspension.
Barcelona do have Carles Puyol, he returns from suspension.

Man United and Barcelona has faced each other nine times in Europe, Man United have won three times, Barcelona have won twice and there have been four draws. The last time Man United and Barcelona faced each other in a European final was in the Cup winners Cup 1991. Manchester United won 2-1.

One Response so far.

  1. Antimanu says:

    In a funny sort of way I'm glad I hate Man Utd so much cos it means I'm really looking forward to this final - cos I really want to see them lose!!!!!

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