FC Barcelona
In the group rounds Barcelona was listed in group D. Rubin Kazan, Panathinaikos and Fc Copenhagen completed the group. Fc Barcelona dominated the group and became group winners. In the second round (knockout) they were matched up with one of Europe’s strongest teams; Arsenal. This did not turn out to be an easy round for the Spanish champions. The first match was in the Emirates stadium in London and arsenal surprisingly won 2-1. Two weeks in the return game arsenal didn’t have a chance. Barcelona played one of their best matches this season and sent arsenal packing with a 3-1 win. In the quarter finals Barcelona was matched up against Shaktar donestk. This turned out to be an easy fix for manager Guardiola,s star team. They guaranteed the semi finals for their self’s in the first leg. Fc Barcelona won 5-1. They Humiliated Shaktar in camp Nou (Barcelona’s home stadium)and sent them home, which made the second leg a formality which they won with 0-1. The semi finals was a whole different level for Barcelona. They were now matched up against their Premiera division (the Spanish competition) rival Real Madrid. This was not only going to be a battle for the Spanish honor, it was more than that; This was real Madrid’s last chance to win a big prize. The first leg was played in Madrid were Barcelona dominated with a 0-2 win. The second leg turned out to be 1-1 and Barcelona eliminated one of the richest clubs in the world and made their ways to the finals.
Barcelona did not just win, they showed the world that they have one of the best teams in the history of football.
Manchester united
Manchester started the Chapmpions league in group C. Valencia, Glasgow Ranger and Bursaspor were their opponents. Just like Barcelona , Manchester united dominated this group and went to the second round as the group winner. In the second round they were matched up against the French club Olympique Marseille. The first leg was played in Marseille were Manchester left with a draw (0-0). In their home match they won 2-1 in an exciting match. In the quarter finals Chelsea was waiting for them. The first leg was played in London and Manchester was the victor and they took the 0-1 lead back to Manchester to defend. Chelsea played a great match but the second leg was also won by the red devils. The semi finals turned out to be an easy match for Manchester united. Their opponent was Fc Schalke 04 from Germany. The first leg was an away game en despite of the wonderful goal keeping by the Schalke 04 goal keeper Neuer, the match ended in a 0-2 win for Manchester united. The second leg turned out to be even easier. With a 4-1 win in Manchester the red devils penetrated trough to the finals.
Even though Manchester does not have any big stars like Lionel Messi , that decide matches with phenomenal rushes, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to build a very strong team with the right balance and he has created a magnificent winning mentality in the team.
Two years ago Manchester united and Fc Barcelona were also each other’s opponents in the 2008/2009 finals and Barcelona was the victor but both teams seemed to have grown since then. Nobody seems to know who to put their money on but one thing is for shore. This is going to be one of the greatest finals in the history of the Champions league.
Star Players:
Manchester united: Wayne Rooney
Fc Barcelona: Lionel Messi
Managers:
Manchester united: Sir Alex Ferguson
Fc Barcelona: Josep Guardiola
Won the champions league:
Manchester united: 2 times
Fc Barcelona: 2 times
