Champions League final preview - Barcelona v Manchester United
Barcelona and Manchester United each won their first European Cups at the old Wembley and both are seeking a fourth title at the new Wembley.
The Spanish and English champions could make a strong claim to being the two strongest sides of the current era, with both having made it through to three finals in the past five years.
The sides last met in the 2009 final in Rome, where Barcelona took the lead against the run of play and never looked back in what was ultimately a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 victory.
United's players have been watching DVDs of that game as they prepare to face Barca again, with defender Patrice Evra admitting his side were too complacent on the night.
"I am honest. I was confident in Italy. Maybe too confident," said United's French full-back.
"It hurt so much when we lost. We did the team pictures the following season. We had three trophies. But we were missing the one with the big ears.
"Everyone says Barcelona are the best team in the world now. I respect that.
"But, two years ago, everyone said we were going to beat Barcelona easily in Rome. Maybe the opposite will happen this time.
"Barcelona are very good at keeping the ball but football is not about keeping the ball, it is about scoring goals."
FIFA Ballon d'Or 2010 holder, Lionel Messi who scored Barcelona's second goal in the 2009 final, is unsure how different his side are now - if at all.
"It's always difficult to compare but what is true is that both teams [Barcelona in 2009 and Barcelona in 2011] showed some great football - and both always tried to play attractive football that people loved to watch," said the Argentinian.
Argentine forward Messi, 23, is the current Fifa world footballer of the year
"We always try to stick to our game and tried to develop our game every time we played - and we've always achieved big things. In 2009 we won the Champions League in a very impressive style and [after that] winning La Liga again and again.
"So I would like to think that some of us are just a bit more experienced this time round.
"We arrived to the final in top form and only a step away from making history once more."
Not the best team ever
Barcelona will start the match as favourites, though coach Pep Guardiola has been been keen to deflect attention away from a side that some observers believe is the best team of all time.
“I don't think so [that Barcelona are the best ever side]," he said. "When the people are watching this team if they enjoy we are happy, but we have to respect Brazil, Milan, Liverpool, Manchester or even Madrid for the best moments.
“It is difficult to compare, it is for example to say who is better - Pele, Maradona, Messi or Beckenbauer, all these kind of players in the right moment help to make football better than before.
“What would we like, in the coming 10-15 years people remember that in that time Barcelona played good football and we enjoyed that time when we saw that would be the best thing, but to say right now is impossible.”
Guardiola is boosted by the return to action of left-back, Eric Abidal, who has spent two months out following surgery on a liver tumour.
The French left-back is now in contention to play at Wembley alongside fellow defenders Dani Alves, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, although versatile Argentine Javier Mascherano is another alternative if Guardiola decides he does not want to risk Abidal and Puyol - who has also has had injury problems recently.
Sergio Busquets will play the holding role in midfield that allows Xavi and Iniesta freedom to express themselves, while Messi will be supported in attack by David Villa and Pedro.
Experience vital
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is chasing a hat-trick of Champions League wins and should he claim the European Cup for a third time on Saturday he will equal Bob Paisley's record with Liverpool.
The Scotsman thinks that experience is now a major factor in his side's favour.
"We've gathered an experience over the last few years that has acquitted us well for European football now," he said.
"We're far more patient away from home and we never used to be. European football does that and I think the players have learned that the concentration levels have to be very, very good because every club has a different way of playing and a different sense and style of the tempo in matches.
"Sometimes in a European game, you can be doing actually quite well and then the roof falls in, suddenly. "Many of our players are used to that now. They don't get caught out by sudden attacks against them the way that they used to years ago."
Ferguson has a fully fit squad to choose from. The Wembley final will be the final appearance in the illustrious career of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who retires after the match.
The veteran Dutchman will be shielded by a back four comprising Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, captain Nemanja Vidic and one of the Brazilian twins, perhaps Fabio.
Ferguson has decision to make in midfield, although in recent matches, he hs favoured the quartet of Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-sung. Further forward, Wayne Rooney will link midfield and attack, while up front the live-wire Javier Hernandez is set to cap a terrific debut season as United's sole striker.
Barcelona and United are both seeking a fourth European Cup, which would take them level with Ajax and Bayern Munich and behind only Liverpool (five wins), Milan (seven) and Real Madrid (nine).
Statistics
• This is the clubs' 11th meeting and the record so far is three wins each and four draws. The teams have contested two major finals, Barcelona prevailing in their last meeting in Rome in 2009 while United won their 1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup decider in Rotterdam.
• Barcelona and United are both seeking a fourth European Cup, which would take them level with AFC Ajax and FC Bayern München and behind only Liverpool FC (five wins), AC Milan (seven) and Real Madrid (nine).
• Barcelona's final record is W3 L3:
1960/61 Benfica 2-3 (L)
1985/86 Steaua Bucharest 0-0 (0-2 pens) (L)
1991/92 Sampdoria 1-0 (aet)W)
1993/94 Milan 0-4 (L)
2005/06 Arsenal 2-1 (W)
2008/09 Manchester United 2-0 (W)
• United's final record is W3 L1:
1967/68 Benfica 4-1 (aet) (W)
1998/99 Bayern Munich 2-1 (W)
2007/08 Chelsea 1-1 (6-5 pens) (W)
2008/09 Barcelona 0-2 (L)
View the Original article
