| By Sam Fox,
on 26-05-2009 20:56
|
Views : 1133 |
Favoured : 64 |
 Simon has provided an exclusive look at some of the head to head battles that will be likely be occuring on the pitch tomorrow evening. How do the two teams match up?
Key Match up's:
 v 
Xavi v Michael Carrick
Arguably
two of the best midfielders in Europe will face off in Rome. Xavi is
coming off a fantastic year for both club and country, winning the
Spanish League title, the Copa del Rey and unforgettably Euro 2008.
Carrick
meanwhile has yet again been impressive for United this season with a
string of valuable performances helping his side to their third
straight league title, a FIFA Club World Cup as well as a Carling Cup
crown.
 v 
Patrice Evra v Lionel Messi
One of the world's premier left fullbacks, Evra will yet again lock horns with a player at the top of his form in Lionel Messi.
The
two faces off during the 2008 Champions League semi-finals, and in what
should be an engaging tussle the duo will lock horns once again in Rome.
 v 
Samuel Eto'o v Nemanja Vidic
After
a sensational season from the Cameroon striker, he will be raring to go
in Rome. Close to exiting the Nou Camp, Eto'o has enjoyed a new lease
of life under Barca coach Pep Guardiola this season and will be hoping
to add to his three Champions League goals to date this season.
Trying
to stop him will be United's Player of the Season and the newly crowned
Premier League Player of the Season Nemanja Vidic. The Serb has been in
imperious form all campaign and will be a vital cog in the United
machine if they are to stop the power of the Spanish Champions.
 v 
Cristiano Ronaldo v Carlos Puyol
Ronaldo
may not have repeated the feat of last season with his 40 odd goals,
but the Portuguese star seems to be finding his feet at just the right
time. Scored United's goal in the 2008 Champions League final and with
a Barca defence minus its first choice right and left back's as well as
one centre back he will be looking to challenge Barca's defensive
stalwart Carlos Puyol.
With so many key players missing in the
Barca back four, Puyol will need to be at his best to combat the
talents of Ronaldo, Rooney and co.
Head to Head:
This is the tenth meeting between the sides and the record so far is two wins for Barcelona, three for United and four draws.
The rundown of previous encounters is:
1983/84 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final
Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United (Hogg og 35, Rojo 90)
Manchester United 3-0 Barcelona (Robson 21 50, Stapleton 51)
United won 3-2 on aggregate
1990/91 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final
Barcelona 1-2 Manchester United (Koeman 79; Hughes 67 74)
1994/95 UEFA Champions League group stage
Manchester United 2-2 Barcelona (Hughes 19, Sharpe 79; Romário 33, Bakero 49)
Barcelona 4-0 Manchester United (Stoitchov 2 59, Romário 45, Ferrer 88
Barcelona advance, United eliminated
1998/99 UEFA Champions League group stage
Manchester United 3-3 Barcelona (Giggs 16, Scholes 24, Beckham 63; Anderson 47, Giovanni 59pen, Luis Enrique 70pen)
Barcelona 3-3 Manchester United (Anderson 1, Rivaldo 57 73; Yorke 25 68, Cole 53)
United advance, Barcelona eliminated
2007/08 UEFA Champions League semi-final
Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United
Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona (Scholes 14)
United won 1-0 on aggregate
Source: http://www.fmuforum.com/index.php?showtopic=17419&view=findpost&p=158236
Last update : 26-05-2009 23:36
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