1 Previous encounters
United and Barcelona have met on ten previous occasions, winning three games apiece and drawing the other four since beginning their rivalry in the 1983/84 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals. They have also met in two UEFA finals; aside from
2 Wembley experience
United are obviously no strangers to Wembley, scene of nine of their FA Cup final victories, though the north
3 European pedigree
Both sides have three titles apiece and are aiming for a fourth to move level with AFC Ajax and FC Bayern München in the all-time list – behind only Liverpool FC, AC Milan and Real Madrid CF. United had a 100% record in finals before Rome in 2009, defeating Benfica (1968), Bayern (1999) and Chelsea FC (2008).
Barcelona have won three out of six, victories against Sampdoria (1992), Arsenal FC (2006) and United balanced out by losses to Benfica (1961), FC Steaua Bucureşti (1986) and Milan (1994). For the Blaugrana, triumph would bring their third European Cup in six seasons, making them the first team to win the UEFA Champions League three times this century.
4 Sir Alex v Guardiola
Guardiola was seven when a 36-year-old Sir Alex embarked on his first European campaign as a manager with Aberdeen FC in 1978/79. What followed for both men is well documented, and victory at Wembley would give the Scot his third European Cup – equalling a record held by compatriot Bob Paisley, who guided
Guardiola is one of only six men to win the European Cup as player and coach, adding his name to the pantheon of greats in 2009: Miguel Muñoz, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff, Carlo Ancelotti and Frank Rijkaard preceded him. Of those, only Muñoz and Ancelotti guided sides to two titles.
5 Anglo-Spanish finals
English and Spanish sides have met in 15 UEFA club competition finals,
Blog: uefa.com,worldcup-champion,worldcup champion,Talking point
Final champion league 2011, Final champion league 2011
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