On May 27th the two teams that are regarded as the two best club teams in the world will square off for the Champions League title in Rome. English Premier League's Manchester United looks to become the first team to repeat as champions since the format was changed from European Cup to Champions League for the 1992-1993 season. They are also the first team since Italian Serie A's Juventus in 1997 to return to the title game after winning the previous season. Spanish La Liga soon-to-be champions Barcelona will be back in the title for the 2nd time in 4 years; the first in which they defeated England's Arsenal for the title.
One of the major things to look for in this game will be United's game plan for attacking Barca down the sidelines. With both outside backs suspended due to cards it will surely be a makeshift defense for Barcelona. RB Dani Alves was given his 2nd yellow of the semi-final round in the 1st half at Stamford Bridge in Barcelona's 1-1 draw. In the same game LB Eric Abidal was given what appeared to be a phantom red card when Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka tripped over his own feet on a run towards the box. Do-it-all defender Rafa Marquez will also be out due to a knee injury suffered earlier in the tournament. Center back and team captain Carlos Puyol will return from his suspension and should be a big help towards solidifying the back. Gerard Pique has probably been the best defender throughout for Barca and defensive midfielder Yaya Toure was able to step into a defensive role admirably last game.
The reason that this presents such a problem for Barcelona is because United will use Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez to push up wide as well as players like Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra who make runs down the sidelines. Having inexperienced defenders out there may present a long night for the Barcelona faithful.
Holding midfielder Darren Fletcher will miss the final for Manchester United after receiving a red card for tackling Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in the box late in United's 4-1 semi-final win at Old Trafford. Defender Wes Brown and midfielder Owen Hargreaves will also miss the final due to injuries; although they hadn't played at all during the tournament because the injuries were obtained early in the season.
One of the big bright spots for Barcelona will be the return of forward Thierry Henry to the starting lineup. Henry missed the second leg of the semi-final vs Chelsea due to a knee injury. At full strength, Barcelona is probably the most explosive offensive team in the world. Playing with 3 midfielders and 3 forwards gives Barca a lot of firepower to wield. My pick for the starting 11 is Victor Valdes, Girard Pique, Carlos Puyol, Yaya Toure, Sylvinho, Seydou Keita, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o, and Lionel Messi.
United has a lot of depth they can work with in their midfield and forward positions so I'm not sure who Sir Alex Ferguson will choose to start. It has been said that Sir Alex has promised playing time to midfielder Park Ji-Sung after he missed the 2008 final. My pick for the starting 11 will be Edwin Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, John O'Shea, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Dimitar Berbatov.
Due to United's ability to create with so many different players and Barcelona's absence of their two outside backs I will have to pick United to win their back-to-back titles. I am a huge Barcelona fan, they are my favorite team along with Arsenal (I just love Thierry Henry), so it kills me to pick against them. It just seems the cards are stacked against them in this one but I wouldn't be more happy to be proved wrong. There will be some great matchups in this game though. A lot of debate has been going on over who is the best player in the world: Messi or Ronaldo. That debate could be put to rest that very night at the Stadio Olimpico.
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