The day of reckoning: UEFA Champions League final

So here we are… just three hours away from the grand finale of European club football! Yes, we’re talking about the UEFA Champions League final between Barcelona FC vs. Manchester United.

And I’m all pumped up here as I’m watching a rerun of Barcelona’s miraculous (according to some, dubious) semi-final win in Chelsea backyard… Stamford Bridge. A humdinger of a match as compared to the one-sided semi-final between Arsenal and the ‘red devils’, Manchester United.

Being a ‘blaugrana’ fan through and through for sometime now, Andres Iniesta’s goal in stoppage time (the 94th minute, I think) is an unforgettable moment. It was about 2 AM in Bangalore (where I live)… and all the jumping, screaming and celebrating sure woke up the neighbors.

Watch this video, you’ll know why it meant so much to Barca fans all over the world…

Iniesta 94 minute goal against Chelsea

But enough of that…

This is it… the clash of the titans… Manchester United Vs. Barcelona FC! This is the level  at which every team dreams of playing at… and of course, in the opinion of most footballer (whether past or present)… this is going to be a memorable final.

So without further ado, let’s make a couple of comparisons:

1) History

Just as recently as last year, Man. United put an end to Barcelona’s run in the semi-final to win the 2008 Champions League final. Interestingly, according to statistics… Man United has won every final that they’ve reached in recent years whereas Barcelona have won two times and lost thrice in the five finals that they have made it to. Another point to consider is that for UEFA Champions League this year, Barcelona has scored the highest number of goals in the competition (30 goals in 12 matches) against Man. United’s 6 goals that they given away. And this leads me to the next point…

2) Strategy

Barcelona is toted to be the best attacking football club in the world but with the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney in the mix, their defense will definitely be tested. On the other hand, Manchester Utd. (statistics-wise) have the best defense you’ll find anywhere but with Thierry Henry fit to play, Lionel Messi (Maradona’s successor) raring to go and with Pep Guardiola’s strategy being ‘An offensive is the best defense’, this contest will be evenly matched. What would be interesting is to see what Sir Alex Ferguson does here. Importantly, I feel that with Eric Abidal and Dani Alves not playing, that could dent the confidence of Barcelona… yet with the flexibility and grit they’ve shown in the semi-final, I do believe that they’ll come out fighting.

3) Location of match

Most people consider Barcelona to have the ‘home’ advantage against Man. United even though final is being played in Rome. With Roma’s stadium at a total capacity at about 72,000 seats… almost 20,000 Barca fans have been pouring in to watch the final in waiting for the Fan Arena gates to be opened at 3 PM. Any doubts why this factor is advantageous for the formidable Barcelona.

Taking all these factors into consideration, it seems to be an evenly matched contest. And in trying to maintain an unbiased opinion, I do believe that Barcelona FC will be the team to take home the gold as that match against Chelsea really showed us what they’re made of.

Here’s why: Ten men down… not even one shot at goal apart…  they were not even being able to play the ‘beautiful game’ like they do, thanks to Chelsea’s tight defense… and they still went through! And to me that shows character, grit and determination… and most of all… the ‘never say die’ attitude.

But, all in all, more than winning… I hope this turns out to be a football match that goes down to the death as compared to the last time Barca were champions in 2006, with Arsenal having ten men.

May the best team win!

Er…my apologies…  Go Barcaaaa!