FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC will descend on Rome's Stadio Olimpico for the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League final each seeking to write another chapter in their long and rich history. In a city resonant with ancient glories, these two modern-day club teams have their eyes on European club football's greatest prize.
For Barcelona, victory would bring their third European crown – and earn coach Josep Guardiola a place on the privileged list of men who have won the trophy as both player and coach.
Holders United are on a record-breaking 25-match unbeaten run in the competition and are aiming to capture their fourth European Champion Clubs' Cup – and, with it, become the first team to retain the trophy in the UEFA Champions League era.
If successful, their manager Sir Alex Ferguson would take his place alongside Liverpool FC's Bob Paisley in the record books as the manager with the most European Cup wins following his previous successes with United in 1999 and 2008.
