Tomorrow night’s Champions League final will be watched by 160Million fans around the world and will be contested by the two top teams from the world’s two top leagues.

The Champions League Final shouldn’t happen any other way, the top team in England facing the top team in Spain, the two strongest leagues in world football lead by two of the game’s most historic clubs. Both Manchester United and Barcelona stand on the precipice of a fourth European Cup having fought long domestic seasons which saw them both claim their respective league titles. This year’s Champions League Final will be elite.

Much of the talk going into tomorrow’s final has been on Barcelona’s playing style and whether Manchester United will be able to cope with it better than they did in 2009 when goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi secured a relatively simple 2-0 victory for the Spanish side. A selection of high-profile commentators have called on United to close out the early stages of the game, focusing entirely on their defensive duties, but only Arsenal have beaten both sides this season and despite having very little possession in the first half against Barcelona, didn’t alter their game drastically to run out 2-1 victors, capitalising on Barca’s wastefulness and early over-commitment which left them lagging late in the game. Both sides having claimed their respective league titles weeks prior to the game though, has given them each a much needed period of rest.

Saturday evening’s clash will be marked by many landmarks but few more relevant than being the final game of Manchester United’s dominating goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar’s incredible career. van der Sar, who turns 41 in October had considered a u-turn in his retirement plans following an absolutely stunning end of season run but decided this will indeed be his last season as a player, following spells at Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and United. It would be in keeping with his unbelievable career (eight league titles and two Champions League medals) for the Dutch keeper to claim the most prized medal in club football in his last match.

Sir Alex Ferguson has little concern over his starting eleven, with van der Sar’s place as assured as Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic’s [read what Nemanja Vidic had to say about the Champions League final when we sat down with him for our latest issue]. Question marks remain over which of the Brazilian twins will start at right back, Rafael or Fabio, with both impressing this season. Tactically, we should be able to gather a lot from United’s starting side, with Wayne Rooney expected to lead the attack, the inclusion of Javier Hernandez could mean an attacking philosophy. If Hernandez doesn’t start though, it’s thought Rooney will patrol the front-line alone, with a crowded midfield of Antonio Valencia, Nani, Michael Carrick, Park Ji Sung and Ryan Giggs although Nani could see his place taken by either Anderson, Darren Fletcher or the aforementioned Hernandez.

Equally, Barcelona have a fit and strong team to choose from, with the breakable first-choice back-line of goalkeeper Victor Valdes, centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerrard Pique, right-back Danny Alves and either the returning Eric Abidal or the defensively suspect Maxwell on the left. Barca’s world-class midfield will take some breaking down for United, with the incredible passing of Xavi and Andres Iniesta anchored by the polarising figure of Sergio Busquets who has a nasty habit of play-acting on the big stage. The front three of Pep Guardiola’s team is likely to rotate throughout the game with Lionel Messi, David Villa and Pedro all drifting out of position and slotting into each others spaces as they hope to rattle United’s experienced defence.

Tomorrow’s game marks the end of an epic season in Europe which has seen Barcelona triumph over their noisy rivals Real Madrid both domestically and in Europe as well as seeing Manchester United stave off Chelsea in both competitions. There is no doubting that we will see the two best teams in the world face-off for the elite European title, but who the best of the best are remains to be seen. Can Wayne Rooney power his way through Barcelona’s technically gifted guard or can Messi trick his way through United’s tactical and physical steel? If you think you know, vote below and leave a score in the comment section.

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One thing’s for sure, Tinchy Stryder will be the happiest man in the stadium if United win.

Tags: Barcelona, Champions League, Football, Manchester United