Barcelona versus Manchester United in best of the best showdown.

The showdown desperately wanted by both teams, managers, players and many neutrals has almost come to pass (within the next 12 hours it will all be history and material for forensic investigators).
Barcelona and Manchester United will tee off with the stakes of best club in Europe and some might say the world at the mercy of the team that delivers on the night with their immense individual and team potential.
Barcelona chase a treble having already taken the Spanish domestic title and cup. United are world club champions, domestic league champs for the third consecutive time as well as Carling cup winners.
There is a great deal already proven for both teams with gilt-edged histories but the potential that will be made actual in the winners pedigree after tonight is almost too huge for the rest of the football world to conceptualise.
Both teams can attack and score goals almost at will. United have Ronaldo, currently the world’s top player and Barca have Lionel Messi, the diminutive Argentinian and the heir apparent to the individual crown.
United have a defence that went 14 consecutive games without conceding a goal. Barcelona have a strength in midfield that serves to protect their defence and is the springboard for launching lethal attacks.
Both teams like to be in possession and love to pass and build patient attacks rather than spur of the moment brilliant goals from nowhere. However, both also have players capable of strikes from out of nowhere.
Those looking forward to a goal spree might just be disappointed though as finals bring out cagey teams patiently waiting for the minutest crack in the opposition concentration.
Last year they played in the semi-final and in 180 minutes only one goal separated the two teams sending United through to face Chelsea and win the coveted trophy.
Predictions are for gamblers but all I will say is that it will be one of those, “I was there occasions”, and for those who can’t be at Roma stadium, watching is the next best thing to sex, maybe better. Especially if United make it two in a row.