The Champions League Final Preview - Barcelona v Manchester United

This Saturday marks the culmination of nine months of continental competition between the top teams in European football. Barcelona and Manchester United are the two deserved finalists and a battle should transpire Saturday evening at Wembley Stadium. So without any further delay let's take a look at how both teams should line-up and Posts By Panos will provide their final fearless prediction for the showcase event.

The Previous Meeting

This Saturday's final is a rematch of the 2009 final in which Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 at Rome's Olympic Stadium. For those of us with a shortened memory due to alcoholic consumption, Manchester United actually controlled the early stanzas of the final and were unlucky to not score the opening goal. However, in the 10th minute Barcelona opened the scoring as Samuel E'too raced onto a Lionel Messi through ball and from then on Barcelona controlled the game. In the second half Messi doubled Barcelona's advantage with a looping header in the 70th minute. Looking back at the match the turning point was Barcelona's decision to use Messi in a central role. Remember at that time, Barcelona's three speared attack was led by E'too who was flanked by Thierry Henry on his right and Messi on his left. The tactical decision to drop Messi to the middle of the park allowed Barcelona to control the midfield as Michael Carrick had no chance against Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. The key to this year's final is if Manchester United have learned from their previous mistakes and are able to control the midfield and specifically corralling the maestro Xavi.

The Over Dramatic Video Preview





The Barcelona Perspective

How They Might Line Up

Barcelona will be without injured Gabriel Milito and suspended back-up goalkeeper Jose Pinto. I am expecting that Eric Abidal is still not 100% fit after his liver operation and will be given a place on the bench with Puyol sliding to leftback and Mascherano deputizing in the middle of the back four. The midfield trio of Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi will be supported by Messi in the center of the park, thus allowing Pedro and Villa space on the wing.

The Key Man

In my opinion, and I am very humble, I have to give the nod to Xavi. In order for Barcelona to win the Champions League Xavi has to be in control of the match. While the plaudits may go to Lionel Messi for his goalscoring form, impressive in itself, Xavi is the fulcrum for Barcelona's attack. If Manchester United are able to use Carrick and Giggs and a dropping Rooney to control Xavi then I am afraid for all the Cules fans, Barcelona's attack will be stagnant.

The Unsung Hero

During every Barcelona match there is at least one or two times where their defense is exposed and Victor Valdes has to come up with the one brilliant save to keep the game in check. Valdes is a fantastic keeper yet is severely under appreciated because of the team he plays for and the goalies ahead of him in the national team, Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina. However, it is Valdes is who has been named the top goalkeeper in La Liga for the past three years. Watch for Valdes to make one save in this match to keep the momentum for Barcelona.

The Weak Link

With apologies to my Argentine readers, Javier Mascherano is simply not a central defender. The key for Pep Guardiola is whether he is willing to risk a less than 100% Eric Abidal and move Puyol to the center of defense. Mascherano will have a torrid time dealing with the movement and pace of Javier Hernandez. It will be interesting to see how Barcelona try to cover this defensive frailty and how Manchester United try to attack it.

The Manchester United Perspective

How They Might Line Up

Again it looks like our boy Dimitar Berbatov, Manchester United's leading scorer, will be given a place on the bench for the showcase event. Darren Fletcher is still not 100% fit thus allowing Michael Carrick to retain his place in the center of the park. I would expect Wayne Rooney to drop back and help his midfield in order to corral Xavi and Iniesta. Also, Hernandez, I expect, will be hugging the last man on Barcelona's back four and using his speed to create any chances.

The Key Man

This is Wayne Rooney's time to shine for Manchester United, it is as simple as that. He was invisible in 2009 against Barcelona and if he is no where to be found again, then you might as well start the celebration in Spain right now. Rooney has the work rate to battle with Barcelona's midfield while at the same time using his talent to singlehandly win a match. I expect Wayne to have at least two glorious opportunities for the Red Devils, the key is whether he can finish them.

The Unsung Hero

I am a goalkeeper, and I will consistently throw love to the keeper, because a homie can't get none. Edwin Van der Sar is suiting up for the final time in his illustrious career as professional footballer. This has the potential to be his greatest moment ever as a goalkeeper. Undone by his national team Van der Sar was never able to make a World Cup or Euro final, but as a club goalkeeper this is his 3rd Champions League final. He has the best saves-to-shot ratio in the Champions League saving 31 of 35 shots, just brilliant.

The Weak Link

Call me a fundamentalist but I simply cannot trust Brazilian defenders. A Brazilian defender is simply a midfielder or attacker who can't shoot. Fabio, in my opinion, is Manchester United's weak link. While Dani Alves provides offensive firepower for Barcelona and barely any defensive ability, Fabio simply has no offensive firepower and his defensive ability is well Brazilian. I would expect Barcelona to attack Manchester United's right side throughout the course of the match and capitalize on what should be one or two Fabio blunders.

Some Key Facts You Can Bring To The Party

• Barcelona have scored the most goals in this season's Champions League, 27.

• The Catalans have faced Manchester United ten times in European play. Their record against the English outfit is: W3 D4 L3. So everything is there to play for.

• The Camp Nou giants have scored in their last twenty Champions League encounters. Rubin Kazan were the last team to shut them out back in November 2009.

• Lionel Messi is the Champions League's top scorer with 11 goals in the current campaign.

• Barcelona won the last European Cup final at Wembley in 1992 beating Sampdoria 1-0 after extra-time.

• Xavi and Sergio Busquets are the only two players to complete more than 1000 passes in the 2010-11 Champions League.

• Manchester United are riding a 12-game unbeaten streak in this year's edition of the Champions League.
  

• Edwin Van der Sar will make his 99th overall appearance in the competition on Saturday.

• The Red Devils have conceded only four goals in the tournament.

• Alex Ferguson's side have reached their third Champions League final in the last four years.

• United succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Barca in the 2009 final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

• Manchester United's last loss in the Champions League came against Bayern Munich in March 2010.

The Fearless Prediction

Let's be honest, Posts By Panos haven't had the greatest luck in the fearless prediction department, and in essence that is what makes this endeavor so fearless. So keep it simple, Barcelona with a 3-1 victory in what should be an absolutely entertaining match. Let me know what you think in the comments section below and most importantly enjoy the match on Saturday.