Barcelona and Manchester United meet in the Camp Nou in the Champions League semi-final. Here we look at how the two clubs match up.
Barcelona and Manchester United meet in the Camp Nou in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final. Here we look at how the two clubs match up.
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
Barcelona are looking for their second Champions League title in three seasons after coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in 2006. Surprisingly for one of Europe's most prestigious clubs, their only previous victory in the competition came in 1992, when they beat Sampdoria. They have lost in the final three times - the most recent of which was a 4-0 thrashing by AC Milan in 1994. Barca have had more success in the European Cup Winners' Cup, winning the trophy a record four times, although they were beaten 2-1 by United in the 1991 final. The Catalans have also won the European Super Cup twice.
United's record in Europe is probably the only slight disappointment of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign. Aside from their incredible last-gasp victory over Bayern Munich in the 1999 final, the Red Devils have mostly failed to impress. However, this is their second successive semi-final and they have eased through the competition thus far. United were the first English side to win Europe's premier competition when they beat Benfica 4-1 in 1968. The 1991 Cup Winners' Cup, and European Super Cup of the same year, are United's only other European trophies.
FORM
Barcelona's form has been far from impressive in La Liga this season and they trail leaders, and reigning champions, Real Madrid by 11 points. Barca have won only one of their last 10 domestic games and speculation about the future of their star names abounds. Ronaldinho seems certain to leave at the end of the season while Samuel Eto'o has also hinted he will go if Barca fail to win trophies.
In contrast to Barca, United look set to clinch their second Premier League title in a row, although defeat by rivals Chelsea this weekend could let in the Londoners. Ferguson's side's form had been exemplary before recent draws with Middlesbrough and Blackburn sowed a few seeds of doubt. In Europe, United have been just as impressive. After five wins and one draw in the group stages they saw off Lyon and then eased past Roma 3-0 on aggregate.
PLAYERS
Both squads are littered with star names but United seem to have the edge in togetherness and fighting spirit. Goals have been at a premium for the opponents of Barca and United throughout their European runs, although Barcelona did ship two goals at Celtic and will need to be at their best to keep out scoring sensation Cristiano Ronaldo. Barca also have goals in their side, with Lionel Messi and wonderkid Bojan Krkic a clear danger to United. Ronaldinho is ruled out of the tie through injury while former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry could also miss the clash. United could be vulnerable in goal if number one Edwin van der Sar continues to be troubled by injury.
