Champions League Final Preview

It’s difficult to know where to begin with the most highly anticipated and written about game of the season. With both finalists crowned as champions of their country, the stage is set for the final most neutrals wanted.

It’s a game which is filled with intriguing match-ups, possibilities and potential outcomes, and it’s impossible not to get excited about. Will United become the first team to retain the trophy in it’s current format? Will Thierry Henry finally get a winners’ medal? Will the inexperience of Pep Guardiola really be a match for the mastery of Ferguson?

United will go into the final as slight favourites and will be looking to maintain the momentum of their Premier League run in. With the exception of the suspended Darren Fletcher, they will be at full strength and Ferguson has an impressive armoury with which to batter the depleted Barcelona defence who will be without Dani Alves, Eric Abidal (both suspended) and Rafel Marquez (injured).

Most are anticipating that Ferguson will use Ronaldo and Rooney as his attacking duo, leaving Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov with a place on the bench. How the final plays out will be influenced heavily by how the patched Catalan defence of Puyol, Toure, Pique and Sylvinho can cope with the speed and strength of United’s attacking play. If they concede a goal early then it could be over as a contest very quickly.

However, the role of underdogs will suit Barcelona down to the ground. The weight of expectation almost made them hand La Liga title to Real Madrid, so without the tag of favourites they may well flourish. They will be conscious that their defence is at less than full strength and seek to combat this by keeping the ball in United’s half for as long as possible.

Boosted by the news that Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta should both be fit to start, let us not forget that this is the team that tore apart Bayern Munich 4-0 in the first leg of the quarter finals. Inevitably all eyes are likely to fall on one man: Lionel Messi. He is yet to produce his best form against English sides and is due a big performance. Could this be the game where he delivers it?

On paper, there should be plenty of goals in this game and if each side plays to their potential then there will be. What do you think? Can you see a clear winner or will it go to the wire? Enjoy the game and let us know your thoughts.