After a 0-0 draw with Arsenal and Real Madrid’s 3-2 loss to Villareal, United and Barca have managed to claim champions in their own leagues without much effort in their recent games.
But the two have bigger trophies to hunt, with this year’s massive Champion’s League final just a stone’s throw away.
The two teams have losses going into the game. Darren Fletcher is out for United due to suspension – a red card in the Arsenal game.
Barca will be losing some big names in defence. Abidal and Alves will not be taking the stage in Rome due to suspensions, and Márquez is out with an injury.
With massive defensive losses, Barcelona’s strength will have to be their attack. But, with the players they have, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Two big names will also feel a little more pressure than the rest. Messi and Ronaldo are both the big contenders to take 2009 world player of the year, and winning a Champion’s League final may give them a bit of an edge.
History will be on Barcelona’s side, as no English team has ever won the Champion’s League title back to back.
But Manchester United, as we’ve seen, is a team accustomed to making history. They are the first ever English side to beat FC Porto away from home; and the first ever English side to win the World Club challenge.
It’s too hard to tell which team will be crowned European champions at the moment but, with Barcelona’s defensive troubles, United should feel they have the upper hand.
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