Match Preview: wednesday 17/05/2006 20:00 (GMT+2): CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

FC Barcelona - Arsenal
Stade du France, Paris – capacity: 80.000


Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Oleguer, Puyol, Márquez, Gio, – Iniesta, Edmilson , Deco – Giuly , Eto'o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard







Arsenal FC(4-5-1): Lehmann - Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Flamini (Cole) - Gilberto, Cesc Fàbregas, Ljungberg, Hleb, Reyes - Thierry Henry - Manager: Arsene Wenger

Champions League Final Preview:
Barca has waited 12 years for another chance to win the European Cup for the second time in the Club´s history. Joan Cruyff´s 'Dream Team' won it the first and last time at Wembley in 1992 then crashed 4-0 to Milan in 1994. Arsenal has never made it into the European Cup/Champions League final.


In Barcelona, the mood is confident, but by no means arrogant and players, coaching staff and supporters are showing respect to the Arsenal team.

But the Barca fans are convinced that they have a team that is capable of bringing the CHampions League Title to Barcelona.
Barca plays great football and the attacking style paired with the will to win every game has won many fans around the world. The Barça team is admired for its incredible speed, technique and movement of the players on and off the ball.

An average ball possesion of over 60% even in away games against top European teams such as Chelsea or Milan shows Barca´s dominance in controlling a game. But Barca does not only attack and go forward. It also has a strong defence that conceded only 4 goals in 12 matches during their current Champions League campaign and only 32 goals in 37 Spanish league matches.


Arsenal´s surprising success in reaching the Champions League final is simply based on solid defending and a fast counter-attacks.
Lionel Messi is available for selection but it is most unlikely unless the injury saga in the past weeks was a pure bluff to surprise the Arsenal team when he is fielded in the starting line up. Unfortunately this is not going to happen.

Another question is if Andrés Iniesta or Xavi Hernández will be in the starting eleven.
We guess that youngster Iniesta will be the starter because he has been in outstanding form over the past few weeks. Xavi´s passing skill will be utilized some time in the second half of the match.


Barca coach, Frank Rijkaard will opt for the “save” solution on the wing back positions and will leave the “Brazilian-Connection” Belletti and Sylvinho on the bench. Oleguer will start on the right and Gio on the left wing back position.

French international and San Siro winger Ludovic Giuly will start on the right wing to cause some damage with his speed and quick moves to the Arsenal defence.
We are sure, that Barca coach Frank Rijkaard prefers to have a proven and very efficient striker in Henrik Larsson on the bench and will utilize him when needed. The other two attackers, Ronaldinho left and Samuel Eto'o central, are guarantees.


Arsenal´s Wenger has the choice between Mathieu Flamini or Ashley Cole and Philippe Senderos or Sol Campbell.

We suppose that Wenger gives the nod to the more experienced Campbell alongside Kolo Touré.
Gilberto Silva will take the defensive midfielder position and will keep an eye on Ronaldinho who will play against Eboue. Hleb, Reyes, Fabregas and Ljungberg will fight the midfield battle that leaves Arsenal´s captain Thierry Henry as the sole, lonely striker trying to cause trouble.


Our Prediction:

Arsenal will try to occupy the midfield with 5 players and try to disturb Barca´s passing and controlling game. They will sit back and wait for their lethal counter attacks. But FC Barcelona is used to this week in week out, when Barca´s opponents try to do the same all the time.
With their incredible technique and surprising passing skills, Barca will manage to find the hole in Arsenal´s brick wall. After the first goal has been scored, Arsenal have to open up and we will see fast, spectacular, flying-combination football.

Ronaldinho will entertain us with his magical skills like he delights us in every match so far and Eto'o will score, just to show that Thierry Henry has to work hard to get a place in the team next year, if he decides to put on a “Blaugrana” shirt.


For the time being, it will be me who is wearing a Barca shirt, having a few beers and reserving my place at the Canaletes at Las Ramblas for the after match celebrations. Anything else would be a nightmare and injustice!


FC Barcelona v Arsenal 2:0


Visca el Barça!