Italy will play host to La Liga's Barcelona of Spain versus the Premier League's Manchester United of England in the UEFA Champions' League Final. Man U. is the defending Champions' League victor, while Barcelona is undoubtedly still seeking revenge for the 2008 semifinals loss that the mighty reds laid on them.
Not only did they eliminate Barcelona, they did so by shutting them out in both contests of the two-game, home-and-home series, winning by a 1-0 aggregate.
This isn't 2008, however. Both sides are loaded (as they always are). Man U. is soccer's equivelant to the New York Yankees, while Barcelona isn't far behind when it comes to shelling out some change to get the world's best stars to dawn their uniform.
Barcelona will sport the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry, Xavi and the ever-dangerous Lionel Messi (leading Barcelona in Champions' League goals with eight). Those players have contributed to another La Liga championship, which they wrapped up last weekend.
But La Liga doesn't present the challenge that Man U gets each and every week in the Premier League. Case in point: Barcelona struggled in the Champions' League semifinals to escape a strong English club in Chelsea, prevailing by scoring a road goal in a 1-1 aggregate over the two games.
Man U, you may be wondering, also wrapped up another championship in the Premier League last weekend. To get their spot in the Champions' League finals on Wednesday, they dismantled a Premier League foe in Arsenal, 4-1 aggregate, including a 3-1 win at Arsenal's home stadium.
How is Manchester United so dominant? Having FIFA player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo, doesn't hurt. But that's not the only offense they tout. Man U has an offensive triumvirate of the aforementioned Ronaldo, as well as England's Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov of Bulgaria (leading Man U in Champions' League goals with four).
It's tough to find a flaw in Manchester United when breaking down the matchup of two powerhouses. From keeper Edwin Van der Sar to defenders such as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and all the way up to the forwards, Barcelona is going to have a tough time stopping and scoring against anyone wearing red on Wednesday.
Not even a prolific scorer like Messi will find his way into the scoresheet tomorrow. And that will be key in Barcelona's success of dethroning Man U. If Messi does get on the board then yes, Barca will have an excellent chance in taking their second Champions' League title in four years.
The question is: Will he score? My answer: No. And, thus, Man U will leave the pitch in Rome a two-time defending UEFA Champions' League champion. The champion of champions if you will. Final score, 2-0 Manchester. Your scorers, Ronaldo and Berbatov.
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