Manchester United and Barcelona will meet in the 2009 Champions League Final held in Rome this May – as both sides overcame London opposition to reach the 54th final. Manchester United are competing in their fourth final having won the trophy in all three final played previously whilst Barcelona will be competing in their sixth final – however only winning the competition twice in their history.
Cristiano Ronaldo proved all the doubters wrong, regarding his mentality to perform on the biggest stage, with a superb performance against Arsenal – in which the Portuguese forward scored twice. United ran away 3-1 winners on Tuesday night, winning the tie 4-1 on aggregate after a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in the first leg. The only sour note on a memorable night for the current European Champions, was the dismissal of Darren Fletcher after a tackle on Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. Replays showed that Fletcher clearly got hold of the ball rather than Fabregas. United have lodged an appeal to UEFA regarding the decision.
There was controversy in equal measure at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, when midfield playmaker Andres Iniesta scored a 92nd minute equalizer – putting Barcelona through on the away goal rule having drawn in Catalonia a week ago. Tom Henning Ovrebo was at the centre of the controversy having failed to give Chelsea four penalties claims – one being a clear handball by centre half Gerard Pique. Ovrebo was criticism by both Guus Hiddink and Didier Drogba who referred the performance of the ref as a “f*cking disgrace” – he has since apologised for his outburst. UEFA are currently looking into the incidents at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United and Barcelona last met in a European Cup final in 1991 when the teams played in the Cup Winners Cup. United beat Barcelona 2-1 in Rotterdam, with Mark Hughes scoring both goals.
