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Crib Notes

FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United: a rough study guide

It’s only the biggest game of the club calendar. Paul Ring does your homework for you.

History

Yes, they have previous. This will be the third time these two goliaths collide in the final of a European competition. It is the tenth time they have met in Europe in total with the scorecard reading three wins for Barca, three for United and four draws.

They each have one final victory to their credit with United’s coming back in 1991 when they defeated the Catalans 2-1 in Rotterdam to clinch the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Mark Hughes, formerly of Barca scored twice, one from an outrageous angle having taken the ball past Carles Busquets, father of current Barca midfielder Sergio. You follow me?

Barca of course comfortably disposed of United in Rome in 2009. For all the revisionism going on this week claiming that the gulf between the two sides wasn’t so large, the fact that John O’Shea was United’s strongest performer on the night goes some way towards explaining what happened.

Both are going for their fourth Champions League trophy; both won their first at Wembley. One way or another, both sides’ European history will be bookended tonight.

Maths

This subject is strictly based on formations.

Barcelona play one way. They have only got a Plan A but it just so happens (as Eamon Dunphy explained) that it’s the best Plan A in the world.

United’s formation has been the talking point for tactics lovers all week. Will Fergie stick with 4-4-2, go for the jugular and attack Barca or will he revert back to the hybrid 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 in an effort to contain Messi and co?

Some media reports this week suggested United were practising using a 3-4-3 if they are chasing the game in the final stages.  Forget all that Fergie – get the big lad up and put ‘em under pressure.

Economics

This is the money spinning final. The Guardian reported on Thursday that the clubs will share some €200m from the final in prize money and future earnings based on their appearance in the showpiece.

Barca would welcome the cash of course and should they win, they may be able to afford to sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal this summer as Xavi’s understudy.

United’s need is far greater. The eye-watering Glazer debt shows no sign of abating and someone has to pay for young Spanish goalkeepers.

Drama

Both have leading men capable of dominating the stage. Lionel Messi frequently delivers box-office smashes but he is certainly more in the PG bracket than United’s main man Wayne Rooney. Should the Scouse striker score tonight, cover your ears kids.

United and drama go hand in hand in Champions League finals. Clive Tyldesey, the ITV commentator for tonight, tweeted during the week that United only led the three finals which they won for a combined total of 20 minutes. So Barca leading after ten is no sweat, right?

There are a couple of sub-plots to be aware of. This is Edwin van der Sar’s final match before he retires. A game winning penalty save? He has done it before.

Pep Guardiola is attempting to draw level with Alex Ferguson in European Cup wins in only his third year as a manager, which is ridiculous really.

Philosophy

For United, stick or twist? They cannot afford to wait for the final to fall into their laps because it simply will not happen against Barca. That said, they cannot be too adventurous against a side that can run riot on any given day against any given side. Alex Ferguson’s team-sheet will dictate the philosophy.

Barcelona’s style and grace are well known and suitably appreciated. What they have done these past three years is a magnificent accomplishment. They have plundered silverware playing every game the way they want to play.

Barca adapt to nobody – they don’t need to. It would be fascinating to see how they would react if their fabled game was cracked.

Attendance

Probable teams

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Hernandez.

Further reading

Daniel Taylor of the Guardian speaks to Javier Hernandez.

Sid Lowe on Sergio Busquets. Cheeky title.

Fernando Duarte on the Da Silva twins.

The New York Times did an excellent, extensive profile on Lionel Messi last week.

As for TheScore.ie? Well, we’ve been doing loads on the final all week.

Timetable

Kick-off is at 19:45. Will it be Sky, ITV or RTE for you?

Either way, keep the laptop on. Adrian will be here from seven.

Read more of our build-up to the big game here >

Join us this evening for minute-by-minute coverage of the 2011 Champions League Final >