We are in for a late night today?It’s all to play for in the UEFA Champions League final tonight. A lot is at stake for both teams (Manchester United vs. Barcelona); pity there will only be one winner. There are a few interesting things about the two teams:
It is United’s fourth final, and they have won every time they have made it so far (1968, 1999 and 2008)
It is Barcelona’s sixth appearance in the final. Of the previous five, they won two (1992 and 2006) and lost three (1961, 1986 & 1994)
Two of the three previous finals in Rome’s Olympic Stadium have had an English winner. No Spanish club has ever played the final in Rome while an English team (Liverpool) has won in Rome twice.
United have not lost in Europe for 25 games. In fact, they haven’t lost since they crashed to Milan, 3-0, in the 2006/07 semi final on May 2. If United win, Sir Alex Ferguson will equal Bob Paisley’s record of three European Cup titles with Liverpool (1977, 1978 and 1981)
Barcelona coach, Josep Guardiola, can also make history by becoming the sixth man to win the competition as both a player and manager, following in the footsteps of Miguel Muñoz, Giovani Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff, Carlo Ancelotti and Frank Rijkaard.
The odds might slightly be against the Spanish team, but I’m sure will be amongst those behind Barca tonight, simply because they have a player that will be waving the African flag… I mean Cameroonian star striker, Samuel Eto'o.
Whatever happens tonight, something will go in the history books.
