Champions League 2009-10 | Finals

Past encounters: Barça v United

FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC have produced some memorable European nights and with both sides playing some of the most exciting football in Europe this season another classic encounter is expected at the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on 27 May. They have played each other nine times in European competition with United winning three and Barça two, and it is Sir Alex Ferguson's side who have had more to cheer down the years after beating their Catalan rivals to lift the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1991 and in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season.

2007/08 UEFA Champions League semi-finals
Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United
Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona (agg: 1-0)
The five previous meetings between the two teams had served up 23 goals, but with so much at stake the focus this time was on defence. Playing in their first match at the Camp Nou since winning the UEFA Champions League in 1999, United got off to a flying start and were awarded a third-minute penalty, only for the competition's leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo to uncharacteristically fire wide. United were on the back foot for much of the match but held out for a goalless draw before winning the tie at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes, who had missed the 1999 final through suspension, ensured his side got back there again with a spectacular 14th-minute strike.

1998/99 UEFA Champions League group stage
Manchester United 3-3 Barcelona
Barcelona 3-3 Manchester United
The teams played out two thrilling 3-3 draws in Group D, and though there are no survivors from that Barcelona side in the team today, five of the current United squad were involved. Ryan Giggs and Scholes scored the opening two goals of the first game at Old Trafford, while Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Scholes all figured in the return at the Camp Nou two months later. Rivaldo earned Barcelona a point with a 73rd-minute strike in that game, his second of the night, but it was not enough to stop them crashing out of the competition. United would return to the Camp Nou six months later to lift the trophy.

1994/95 UEFA Champions League group stage
Manchester United 2-2 Barcelona
Barcelona 4-0 Manchester United
Scholes made his European debut as a 67th-minute substitute as United fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, but they were taught a lesson in the return. Six months after losing 4-0 to AC Milan in the final, Johan Cruyff's Barcelona were in commanding form themselves, a pair of goals from Hristo Stoichkov and strikes from Romário and Albert Ferrer completing a 4-0 win. The present Barcelona coach, Josep Guardiola, was in the Blaugrana lineup that day, while for United Giggs played for 79 minutes before being replaced by Scholes.

1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final
Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona
Sir Alex lifted his first European trophy for United eight years after having won it with Aberdeen FC thanks to a pair of Mark Hughes goals at De Kuip in Rotterdam. Playing against his former club, Hughes struck in the 67th and 74th minutes to put United in control, but a Ronald Koeman free-kick with eleven minutes to play set up a tense finale. Despite Nando's 84th-minute dismissal, Cruyff's side pressed to the end but could not prevent United from marking the return of English clubs to European competition with a trophy.

1983/84 UEFA Cup Winner's Cup quarter-final
Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
Manchester United 3-0 Barcelona (agg: 3-2)
Cesar Luis Menotti's Barcelona looked on course for a place in the semi-finals after a 2-0 first-leg victory at the Camp Nou, but United came storming back at Old Trafford. Diego Maradona, a substitute in the first leg, was given a starting role but it was United's 'Captain Marvel', Bryan Robson, who stole the show, giving United hope with a 21st-minute strike before pulling Ron Atkinson's side level on aggregate six minutes after the break. Frank Stapleton added the third and decisive goal a minute later to send United through to the semi-finals where they lost to Juventus.


PS: High Stakes Event Coming Soon ! Keep Checking !

Stadio Olimpico


The Stadio Olimpico will host its fourth European Champion Clubs' Cup final – and its second of the UEFA Champions League era – when the 2008/09 final takes place in Rome on 27 May 2009 (20.45CET).

Famous occasions
The 72,689-capacity stadium has been one of Europe's most impressive sporting venues for over 70 years, hosting the 1960 Olympics and the 1987 IAAF World Championships in Athletics as well as the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup and those three European Cup finals. Liverpool FC twice became continental champions in Rome, in 1977 and 1984, while Juventus won the 1996 UEFA Champions League at the Olimpico.

Massive complex
The stadium was conceived as the centerpiece of a massive sports complex. The Foro Mussolini, devised under the aegis of Italy's fascist leader Benito Mussolini and designed by architect Enrico Del Debbio, was opened to the world in 1938. The complex was renamed the Foro Italico after the Second World War, and the stadium was to undergo a major makeover, re-emerging in 1953 and hosting the Olympics in 1960.

Simple design
The simple but impressive design of the new arena was the work of Annibale Vitellozzi. Based on a series of concentric tiers, coming together to form a huge bowl, the basic logic of that design has remained consistent throughout the Olimpico's history. The stadium continues to evolve, having undergone a series of seismic changes in preparation for hosting the 1990 World Cup, which West Germany won.

Ongoing process
The two ends behind the goal were extended and brought closer to the pitch, and the Tevere and Monte Mario stands were both expanded. A new roof was placed over the lot, while a basement car park, media facilities and hall of honour were also added. The result is pretty much as one sees today, a stadium rooted in classic design, but with the modern touches worthy of a top venue.

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xXx's Signature:

mine exams would b finishing on 26th

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C.Ronaldo's Signature:

Let Barca b d champs dis tym

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Kimi's Signature:

Both the favourites but Man utd the best

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C.Ronaldo's Signature:

Manchester united

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prongs's Signature:

Henry and Iniesta doubtful for United finale

Thierry Henry and Andrés Iniesta face a fitness race ahead of FC Barcelona's UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United FC in Rome on 27 May, the French striker struggling with a knee ligament injury and the Spanish midfielder suffering a torn thigh muscle.

Chelsea absense
The Catalan club's medical team diagnosed a stretching of Henry's posterior ligament in his right knee, an injury sustained during the 6-2 Liga win at Real Madrid CF on 2 May. The 31-year-old was ruled out of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge as a result, a match from which Barça advanced with a 1-1 draw thanks to Iniesta's goal three minutes into added time, and the 3-3 Liga draw with Villarreal CF.

Domestic final
Henry will be definitely miss the upcoming league matches against RCD Mallorca and CA Osasuna plus the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club Bilbao on Wednesday. According to the club's medical team, the player will "continue specific treatment" with the aim of appearing in the Rome showpiece. Henry has scored 19 goals in 29 league games this season, as well as striking five times in nine matches in Europe's premier club competition.

'I'll be there'
Iniesta finished the Villarreal encounter feeling pain and, after an initial examination, club medics confirmed the player had picked up a tear in his right thigh. The 24-year-old will miss the same matches as Henry but, after tests on Monday, he is confident he will be available for the meeting with United. "The doctor said that come what may I'll be there in Rome," said Iniesta. "The eagerness I have to play in the final will have a big affect [on my recovery]." Club doctor Richard Pruna added: "It's not the size [of the tear] that will dictate events but where it is located. Our objective is to have him playing in the final in Rome. We have to be optimistic."

Márquez blow
Also out of the Copa del Rey final will be Eric Abidal who, after seeing red in the second leg against Chelsea, picked up another red card against the Yellow Submarine and is suspended. The news about Iniesta and Henry comes as a major blow for Josep Guardiola who already has Rafael Márquez out with a knee problem.

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xXx's Signature:

^ To add on to that, inspite of Abidal's suspension Barca would have a better defense than the team that played against chelsea, as Puyol would be back for the finals. Yaya toure looks in good touch too. As for Henry and Iniesta, I think both will be available for the final even if they are 70% fit.

Is that a prediction or a request? Anyways thanks for ur prediction, we now know who will be the winner

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Ninja's Signature:

^^

Kimi never come to the side of Devils warna kaala saya will take over them also

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C.Ronaldo's Signature:

Haaa,,i don wan 2 come either ronnie......vampires dont go with devils....

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Kimi's Signature: