Wembley Was Premier Wake Up Call

Guardiola and Ferguson

In the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday it could be argued that both managers suffered a touch of sentimentality when they announced their line ups before kick-off. Even if neither decision was that surprising, sentiment is not a guaranteed reward in a world that does not render to such emotions, with one man bound to pay a price for their choices. In the end it was Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw one of the clubs longest serving players look every bit of his age on Saturday, bringing to a close a week that Ryan Giggs might spend little time recounting when he reflects on things in the future. 

On the other hand Pep Guardiola's masterful selection of Eric Abidal, only 71 days after he had a tumour removed from his liver, shows the depth of camaraderie amongst the Barca squad, which also saw the French international collect the trophy from Michel Platini at the end of the match. Indeed, it must have been unimaginable in the pre-match dressing room to see the club captain Carles Puyol not even start. But then his niggling injury problems over recent weeks meant that Abidal reclaimed his place at left back. 

For Abidal, who missed the final in Rome through suspension, it was more than a satisfactory way to end a period of absolute turmoil, and one that by his own admission, has become life changing – en very aspect of his life. No doubt the support his club, the manager and teammates went a long way in this challenging period. In the case of Giggs he will need similar support if he is to enjoy next season given he extended his contract until June 2012. By then Giggs will have completed 21 seasons at United. 

His performance at Wembley, against a superb Catalan side, highlighted that against a strong opposition midfield is not a place where he should be and that fact must have become clear even to Sir Alex Ferguson, Surprisingly he failed to switch on Saturday night and as a result the Wembley final did not end with a fairy-tale for either man. 

In fact, there were times during the match that United showed signs that the hairdryer formula – that seemingly works so well in the Premier League -scaring off their high rolling rivals year on year, may be out dated. And not for the first time in Europe has Ferguson been caught short on the tactical side of things, with Guardiola’s side seemingly able to deliver virtuoso performances all around the field – with ease. 

Which says much about the 19th title and the standard of the Barclays Premier League. 

On closer analysis part of Manchester United’s problem was that over the past few months they were never really tested. Not in the quarter finals, or indeed by Schalke 04 in the semi-finals. Nor indeed in the round of last 16 when they travelled to Marseille for the second leg holding a 2-1 home win on the score board. The ensuing nil all draw proved all too easy. 

In the group stages drawing another British side, albeit from the Scottish Premier League, proved a no contest with a score draw at home following a 1-0 victory at Ibrox in November. The matches against Valencia and Bursapor proved lightweight wins too, both of which would have taught Sir Alex very little. If the competition were run like Wimbledon tennis, the tops clubs like United should get byes and avoid those early stages which really add nothing... 

In the case of Barcelona they had to impose themselves in a group with Copenhagen, Rubin and Panathinaikos, which they negotiated without loss. The round of last 16 brought them up against 2009 finalists, Arsenal, who came closest to derailing the Barca project this season. The quarter-finals it was Shakthar Donetsk and the reward for that win was a double header against Real Madrid. 

A pity the draw was not the reverse, as Mourinho may have had fun undoing United given his tactically astuteness, and armed with his current Real squad. 

To be fair, United's last meaningful Champions League encounter against any European aristocrats was last spring when over two legs they failed to eliminate Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, despite snatching a valuable away goal at the Allianz Arena. In the return leg at Old Trafford they cruised to a 3-2 aggregate scoreline within 40 minutes, after goals from Darron Gibson and Nani. But history records that goals from Ivica Olic and Arjen Robben were still to come, and United would go out of the competition, losing on away goals on their home ground. 

With that in mind, what would hurt Sir Alex most, as he reflects over the Wembley carcass, is that his match plan didn't hinder Barcelona at all for 80 minutes, except for the early quarter. It was only during this short period that the rhythm of the Catalans was tested in any way. Arguably, had it gone on longer, Rooney and Compnay, might have made the eventual winners work a bit harder. But the exact same thing happened in Rome two years ago when United were marginal favourites and so there is little solace in such thoiughts. 

For the ardent fans of the Premier League though, it should be a wake up call to the gulf in class with other European leagues and help put into better context the weekly message that the Barclays is the “best” league in the world. For any doubters, another look at the 90 minutes between Barcelona and Manchester United at Wembley should reverse any lingering thoughts. 

The speedy kick and rush that so typifies the weekly encounters across Britain are no match for a skillful possession game. The fact that every Barcelona player is at ease receiving the ball - even if they are closely marked – just comfortable in the knowledge that the easiest soltuoon is a pass back to where the ball came from. The added effect being, opponents get dizzy. 

In contrast in the Premier League the philosophy is more akin to, when in doubt, kick it out. 

It is amazing such simplicity created havoc for the Premier champions; allowing players get pulled and dragged out of position, not by feet, but by yards. So much so, that for each Barcelona goal the matching marker from United was missing in action, allowing Pedro, Villa and Messi deliver stunning goals. As former Real Madrid and Barcelona player and current coach of Real Mallorca said this season: "We all know how to beat Barcelona, but actually doing it is different". 

But it can be done, as Inter Milan proved last season in the Champions League semi-final, when Barcelona were dispatched 3-2 on aggregate - with Mourinho ‘s men playing 60 minutes at the Nou Camp with only 10 men - after Thiago Motta was sent off for a tackle on Sergio Busquets. However to do so, requires much self-belief and that might have been the something the United players have left on the team bus 

In terms of the here and now though, whether this Barca side is the best ever to grace the game is a debate for public houses and those seeking late night discourse. What is clear that a fourth European title places now places them with the mid 1970’s Bayern Munich team of Maier, Beckenbauer, Mueller, Hoeness and Breitner. And also the Ajax team of the early part of that decade, with Neeskens, Keizer, Hulshoff, Rep, Krol, Suurbier, Haan and Johan Cruyff. Only Liverpool, Milan and Real Madrid have gathered more silverware. 

Regardless whether Johan Cruyff’s view is correct and Guardiola leaves the club this summer, this team will win more titles for sure. And at 40 years of age Pep still has more to do, be it at Camp Nou or at Old Trafford – were he to be offered a job. For Barcelona though it will be business as usual which was perfectly summarised once more by Laudrup: 

"Cruyff defined a philosophy and a style of how we had to play: positional play, type of players, the profile of the coaches even… If Guardiola leaves, or Puyol, or whoever… others will come in and that line will continue."

Money Not Bad in Champions League

Tonight’s final between Manchester United and Barcelona at Wembley is set to be the most lucrative in European club football, boosted by the clubs’ strong brands, the latest annual MasterCard survey said.

It could be worth €369 million to the clubs and countries involved, a rise of five per cent on last year. 

But the rate is a slowdown on previous finals, indicating the European market may have become saturated, and that Uefa will have to look to new markets such as the emerging economies, South and Central America and BRIC countries for future growth. The presence of a British team in the final was likely to have contributed to the dip.

“Europe is a mature market, and I think medium-to-long term, maybe Uefa has to look towards other markets across the world for continuing and sustained growth,” the author of the report, Professor Simon Chadwick, told reporters.

Manchester United, who won the English Premier League earlier this month, play Spanish champions Barcelona in a re-run of their 2009 final in Rome, won by the Catalan club. Up to 220 million television viewers are expected to watch the world’s most high-profile clubs battle it out, each hoping to lift the cup for the fourth time.

The winning team can expect to earn a windfall of €126 million, up five per cent on last year, but down on the nine per cent the year before. The losing finalist could hope to pick up €73 million, a rise of 4.3 per cent on last year, but lower than the 7.7 per cent the year before.

The economic downturn was one of the reasons for the slower growth, while more refined data could be another, Chadwick said.

London can expect to generate €52 million from hosting the game, a four per cent rise on Madrid last year.

It should further bolster the British capital’s reputation as one of the world’s most sporting cities, especially ahead of the 2012 Olympics, but the figure is less impressive than the 11 per cent generated by Madrid on its predecessor, Moscow.

“In terms of the British economy ideally it would be two foreign clubs,” Chadwick said.

Switching the final to a Saturday has had positive results, but it has yet to fully bed down with fans, Chadwick said.

Ahead of next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, the UK capital is set to receive a windfall of €52 million as football fans flock to watch Saturday evening’s match, spending their money in the city’s bars, clubs, hotels and at Wembley Stadium itself. 

It’s not just London that will reap the benefits of this year’s UEFA Champions League final. The city of the club that wins the final is likely to receive an economic fillip of €18 million through a combination of increased tourism and increased local expenditure. 

This year’s UEFA Champions League final will also stimulate economic activity beyond English and Spanish borders. The wider European economy is expected to be boosted by an estimated €100 million as millions watch the game in pubs and bars, spend money on consumer goods, while betting on the match across the continent is set to jump too. 

Menotti No Fan of Mourinho Style

Cesar Luis Menotti

Cesar Luis Menotti, the former Barcelona manager shred some choice words when he assessed the clubs chances in the final at Wembley on Saturday, taking a chance too also launched a broadside on the tactics of Jose Mourinho in the semi final of the Champions League.

In an interview quoted in the Spanish daily MARCA the 1978 World Cup winning manager is quoted criticising the 'Special One' with a claim the former Chelsea man runs into hiding when Barca come out to play

"He got scared. You know what they say where I am from of Mourinho? That he is a chicken. And, to be more explicit, he shit himself," Menotti told press agencies DPA.

"He left four attackers on the bench: [Emmanuel] Adebayor, [Gonzalo] Higuain, [Karim] Benzema and Kaka. How can you play without them?

"He played with three midfielders and just Cristiano Ronaldo up front. He was scared. The 5-0 in La Liga killed him.

"That was his game and that's where he lost the Liga. Had he got a good result in the first game he would have been a God. 

"But, not only did he lose, but it was the biggest loss in a Clasico. You can lose 2-1, but 5-0 was shameful."

In terms of Saturday's final, El Flaco - the Thin One  - as he is affectionately known in is homeland for his pencil thin figure, said: "Manchester United are the only team who could create Barcelona problems."

He should know as he managed a young Diego Armando Maradona at Barcelona in 1984 when the player was at his supreme best. Unfortunately that season Maradona suffered a bad injury following  tackle by Andoni Goikoetxea of Athletic Bilbao and was out of for a number of weeks. 


Just after his recovery was completed Maradona then contracted Hepatitis which limited the trophy haul at the Catalan club that season to the Copa del Rey.

Menotti was replaced the following year by Terry Venables who took Barcelona to the Euroepan Cup final within two years.

However they lost that final in Sevilla to Steau Bucharest in a most unmemorable final.

Viktor Kassai Named for Wembley Final

The UEFA Referees Committee today announced the referee for the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC, to be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday May 28th.

The match will be handled by 35-year-old Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai who made his international debut in 2001. He has officiated more than 60 UEFA matches in his refereeing career.

Viktor Kassai has handled one UEFA Europa League and five UEFA Champions League matches since the beginning of the current season, including, among others, the round of 16 first leg between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München, as well as the group-stage match between Valencia CF and Manchester United FC.

At the final in London, Viktor Kassai will be assisted by his fellow countrymen Gabor Eros and György Ring. The 4th official will be Istvan Vad and the two additional assistant referees are Mihaly Fabian and Tamas Bognar. A reserve assistant referee – Robert Kispal – completes the line-up of the all-Hungarian refereeing team.

Ferguson Frown Perhaps Understandable

Giggs and Ferguson together decades

To be fair the reaction of Sir Alex Ferguson to the all the super injunction news in Britain this week is instinctive, albeit not quite sporting, with one journalist at Carrington on Tuesday suffering in particular. Perhaps it is understandable given the history Sir Alex shares with Ryan Giggs, which dates back to 1986. 

Over the years it has been widely recognised that Ferguson has played an anchor role in the life of Ryan Giggs and in the build-up to the Champions League final at Wembley this weekend, the man from Govan probably saw it as a crowning moment for the player who surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 606 games for the club last March. In addition, a place in the final was just reward for the enduring influence of Giggs over the past 20 years at United. 

In reviewing the story around Ryan Giggs discovery, as credited by the website Wikipedia, it is down to a local newsagent in Salford and Old Trafford steward, Harold Wood, who regularly recommended the young man to senior staff at the Manchester club. But it was not until Wood made contact with new hire Alex Ferguson, that a scout finally offered Giggs a trial over the 1986 Christmas holidays. 

As the Welshman scored three goals for Salford Boys against a United Under-15’s Ferguson was seemingly watching from his office window, which led to a visit to Giggs's home on the players 14th birthday to sign a player’s contract. Seemingly, beating footballing rivals Manchester City in doing so. 

Therefore the reactions of Ferguson this week come as no surprise as he has always been protective of his players and over the years has received plaudits from many circles for ensuring that the club learned from the experiences of superstar, George Best’s, time at the club. On reading Giggs playing CV it is clear that the bond with the manager has ensured shared success for both men, with the relationship evolving over the latter years too as Giggs grew into a senior player. 

During his time at Manchester Giggs has become by default a role model in temperance and a good lifestyle, along with his genes, ensured his longevity. On the field his role has seen him travel two decades, moving from the wing to midfield as his electric pace lost some lustre, thanks to his excellent skill. Naturally though, the years have also had their moments and none more so than when a younger Giggs got the hairdryer treatment after attending a party with former teammate, Lee Sharpe. When Ferguson allegedly turned up in search of his protégée, he failed to find Giggs - who was hiding in a cupboard. 

In seeking other reasons for Giggs longevity his quietness off the field must have helped outlast the likes of David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Juan Sebastian Veron, Jaap Stam and Roy Keane. It has not come easy as he has had to accommodate the new Premier League world of Facebook, Twitter and Sky Sports. Something which he still struggles to embrace to this day. 

Not unlike his mentor, Giggs says about Twitter "Yeah, I don't get that ... I really just don't get that." 

But in the interview with The Guardian last February Giggs recalled those early days at Old Trafford when it was all happening for him; "Coming into the first-team, a lot of hype, celebrity girlfriends, it meant photographers following me all over the place." 

At the time the now-defunct Today newspaper "ran a week-long feature delving into my family, my dad's family, the rift between my mum and dad. It was just … I just didn't like it," Giggs explained. 

It was three years or so before he made his debut in the first team, which came on March 2nd 1991 against Everton at a time when United were on a run of seven games without a win. That day still evokes a few thoughts. 

"The thing that sticks out is Dave Watson coming through the back of me," Giggs explained “It was 'welcome to the big boys' league'. I had a big cut on my knee for ages after that." 

Otherwise, he told The Guardian he had few other recollections - apart from Ferguson shouting at everyone in the dressing room. 

In that sense little has changed for anyone.

Souness Recalls 1978 Wembley Success

Liverpool FC's second successive European Champion Clubs' Cup came at Wembley in 1978, Graeme Souness telling UEFA.com: "There was no way we were going to lose."

The odds were stacked in Liverpool favour after they battled their way through to the 1978 European Champion Clubs' Cup final; the Reds had won the tournament the previous year, were up against a Club Brugge KV side in their first decider and, moreover, were playing at Wembley.

Nonetheless, it took until the 65th minute for Graeme Souness to tee up Scotland team-mate Kenny Dalglish for the only goal of the game as Ernst Happel's side set out their stall to stifle. No great surprise, then, but – as he told UEFA.com – a big deal for midfielder Souness, who had joined the club from Middlesbrough FC in January that year.

Graeme Souness

"It was a dream come true. I'd watched the 1977 final [when the Reds beat VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach] in Australia. Funnily enough, I was watching it in a German bar in a place called Wollongong – a mining town – and they weren't very happy, but a year later I was playing at Wembley."

"They gave off a feeling of invincibility, that Liverpool team of the time. There was just no way we were going to lose that game. We were the outstanding favourites; we were the holders, out of a 95,000 crowd there would have been 85,000 Liverpool supporters."

"At that time, Liverpool were so used to going to Wembley for big finals. Some clubs would go down and have a three-or-four-day build-up to the final and a fancy hotel – we just went down on the Friday and it was like another away game to us."

"Brugge started in a nervous fashion, getting men behind the ball and that's how the 90 minutes were: us on the front foot and them not wanting to step out and make a game of it. Then we get the goal and even then, I don't remember them chasing it much. We were such a good team at that time. When we went on the European stage, we could pass teams to death because we were such a good passing side as well. And Wembley is a passing pitch."

"As for the goal, I can remember it was more or less on the 18-yard line. The ball was in the air and as it was dropping I just managed to get my pass off at the right time and the weight on it was right; Kenny was able to do the hard bit and lift it over the goalkeeper. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, there was no one better than Kenny."

"Afterwards we went back to a hotel with the wives and girlfriends and we spent a few hours there, celebrated with lots of champagne. Then I took my medal to my mum and dad and my landlady who I lived with when I was at Middlesbrough. I went to see the three of them and woke them up at some ridiculous hour, ordered champagne and made them drink it with me. Very, very special times, and I'm so lucky to have experienced it."

Barcelona Make Earlier Trip to London

Lionel Messi

The Barcelona squad will fly to London on Tuesday evening for the UEFA Champions League final, two days earlier than planned, due to the disruption to air travel caused by the ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano, the club said.

The club had intended to leave on Thursday for Saturday's final at Wembley against Manchester United. 

"Due to the uncertainty caused by ash from the Grimsvoetn volcano, the first team of Barcelona will travel to London on Tuesday at 10pm," it said in a statement on its website Tuesday.

Airlines halted hundreds of flights on Tuesday after a plume of ash from an erupting Grimsvoetn volcano in Iceland blew over Britain.

For supporters wanting to travel to Wembley this week "it will be complicated," the club spokesman said. "For the moment we are keeping flight reservations and we plan to make alternative travel arrangements by coach," he said.

Wembley 2011

Wembley Final Bitter Sweet for Giggs

Ryan Giggs

The UEFA Champions League final this weekend between Barcelona and Manchester United at Wembley is fast attracting added news attention, with the ash cloud resulting from the eruption of Grimsvoetn, now raising concerns over a repeat of last year's travel chaos which led to the biggest shutdown of European airspace since World War II. Consequently it is expected that the Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, will decide on Tuesday if the team should travel earlier than planned to London to avoid the problem 

Last season in the Champions League semi–final first leg against Inter Milan, Guardiola’s team were forced to travel by bus to Italy after European airports were shut down, with two buses used to transport the team to the San Siro. The journey was taken in two parts, with the 634 kilometres to Cannes the first part, for an overnight stay, before covering the last 351 kilometres to Milan on the Monday before the match. The records show that Inter won the match 3-1 and then qualified for the final after Barcelona were unable to reduce the deficit in the home leg. 

Perhaps scarred by the loss to Jose Mourinho, Guardiola wants to avoid the sense of deja- vu, especially against United, and cede no advantage to Ferguson. 

The Barcelona manager is clearly aware of the challenge he faces as at a pre-final press conference on Monday when asked what most scares him about Manchester United, Pep Guardiola replied: 

"Everything, absolutely everything." 

In the other dug out Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy taking a swipe over the weekend at the social networking phenomenon that now pervades the daily life of Premier League footballers, Twitter, saying he failed to see its appeal. Although that maybe the case, it is one of his veteran players, and all time Old Trafford heroes, Ryan Giggs, that dominates the headlines in the build-up. And not just the sporting ones either. 

Of all years, it is probably the one that may prove the Ferguson least wanted at Wembley as the media frenzy threatens to add a disruptive force to all his careful planning in a story that has attracted comment even from the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. As it stands, for Ryan Giggs the final is already proving bitter sweet on many levels. 

With 12 Premier League and two UEFA Champions League winners' medals to his name, Giggs knows what it takes to succeed at the top after helping United lift their second European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1999 and scoring the final spot kick in their shoot-out victory over Chelsea nine years later. 

However the following season was not a happy memory for the 37-year-old Welshman, after United came up short against Barcelona in Rome and at Wembley it is his hope that he will get a chances to amend the 2009 record. But while the Welshman respects the Spanish champions, he feels United have heeded the lessons of that 2-0 reverse at the Stadio Olimpico. 

"Barcelona have that experience and confidence from winning the trophy," 

"A lot of their players went on to win the World Cup so they're an experienced world-class team. But we've learned from that final and got better as a team. The sides aren't too dissimilar to a couple of years ago – they are both very good teams, the best in their country." 

It will be a difficult balancing act trying to stop the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta, while attempting to impose their own game on Guardiola's men. 

"You have to realise they are a talented team and you try to stop them and their key players," he explained. "Then you have to try to stamp your authority on the game and play the way you do. Manchester United are all about attacking football, about scoring more goals than the other team, and that will never change." 

If Barcelona were strong in 2009 they have got better in the last two campaigns, adding the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup that same year. They have also lifted La Liga titles in each of the last two seasons. 

Giggs, though, cautions against describing them as the best ever. "You can never say that. Clubs are determined by success, by doing it time and again. On their day they are as good as anyone. But so are we. We know we're up against a good team, but we are ready to try and win the Champions League." 

"You could feel the history at the old Wembley," he said. "Obviously it's different now but it's Wembley, probably the most famous stadium in the world. It's the home of football and it will be a great place, hopefully, to win the Champions League." 

When Giggs arrived at Old Trafford, United's only success in Europe's elite competition had come at the north London ground in 1968. Now a fourth European crown beckons along with a proud legacy. "It's a special event because the first time we won it, was at Wembley. You have just got to go through the teams to see the great players and the legends, like Sir Bobby Charlton, who is still at the club. 

"It's what sets this club apart – the history and the great players that have played here, the manner we play football. I believe this is the greatest football club in the world. Hopefully we can build on that history and legacy so in 30, 40 years' time they are talking about this team, like they talk about the one from '68 as a great team." 

Speaking about the old Wembley Giggs explained “You could feel the history at the old Wembley," 

"Obviously it's different now but it's Wembley, probably the most famous stadium in the world. It's the home of football and it will be a great place, hopefully, to win the Champions League. 

It was in 1968 that Manchester United won their first European Cup when they beat Portuguese giants, Benfica. 

UEFA Clear Busquets for Wembley Final

The report lodged by Real Madrid CF concerning racial abuse against Marcelo by FC Barcelona player Sergio Busquets has been dismissed due to a lack of strong and convincing evidence.

The chairman of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body, acting as a judge sitting alone, has today decided to dismiss the report made by Real Madrid CF concerning racial abuse against its player Marcelo by Barcelona FC player Sergio Busquets in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between the clubs in Madrid on 27 April, due to a lack of strong and convincing evidence.‬

United Players Remember 1968 Win

Sir Matt Busby 1968

Ten years on from the Munich air disaster, Manchester United FC lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup for the first time with victory against SL Benfica at Wembley, surviving a number of scares along the way.

Matt Busby's side failed to win a single away game, but all that was forgotten as they overcame Real Madrid CF to reach the final, where Alex Stepney's late save from Eusébio sent the match into extra time after Jaime Graça had cancelled out Bobby Charlton's 54th-minute opener. Munich survivor Charlton struck for a second time after goals from George Best and Brian Kidd had put the game beyond Benfica. Stepney and central defender David Sadler recall that cathartic day.

David Sadler

The early part of the European Cup, as it was then, was really all Madrid and Benfica. I don't know how many times they won it between them in the early years, but it was a lot. And justifiably so; they were magnificent clubs and magnificent teams. We all knew the sides, we all knew [Ferenc] Puskás and we all knew Eusébio and all those sort of people. So you know, you're living the Roy of the Rovers dream; you've just beaten Madrid and now we've got Benfica. The final was fantastic, because Wembley held 100,000 in those days, and 99.9% of them must have been United supporters.

Alex Stepney

Obviously then, it was absolutely the most to play at Wembley.Now I would think it's the same, in respect that it's a new Wembley, and it will be the first [European final] to be held there, and it will be great honour.

David Sadler

We scored first, I had a little bit of a hand in that, and Bobby – he didn't head too many goals, but he headed us into the lead. Then they equalised and if I am fair I probably had a hand in that as well; I should have done a bit more maybe to stop it. But anyway, it was a goal and it was 1-1, with not too long to go. I remember Alex Stepney making the save that has stuck with him.

Alex Stepney

If I had made that save four minutes into the game instead of four minutes before the end, nobody would have remembered it. But it's one of those things. It was 1-1 and he came through and had a shot. And it hit me, well actually it embedded in my chest, but I held onto it and that was it. He came up and applauded me.

David Sadler

Of course we were tired [after 90 minutes], but I think we generally felt that we were the better side. We stayed on the pitch and people like Wilf McGuinness, Jack Crompton and Jimmy Murphy were just going around saying: "Look, if you feel tired, look at those Benfica players over there, they've had it!"Whatever it was they said and whoever they said it to, the final was decided in the next five or six minutes. We managed to score three goals in what seemed like no time at all.

Alex Stepney

[After the final whistle] I think every player went to Matt Busby. Because we all knew what it meant to the club, and obviously the relatives from Munich; we understood. Normally when that final whistle goes, you go to your nearest player, and it was just nothing we ever spoke about, but most of us went to Matt Busby and then enjoyed the lap of honour.

United Wembley Double Would be Best

Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby

For over fifty years the intertwined memories of Manchester United and the European Cup victory at the Empire Stadium in Wembley in 1968 have been the fuel that kept Sir Matt Busby’s dream alive at Old Trafford. The legacy of that win is often revisited with grainy footage of Sir Bobby Charlton’s glancing header, the late George Best’s dazzling goal, Nobby Stiles toothless grin at the final whistle and images of the tough Scottish manager embracing his players as they consummated the dream. That night the memories of the Busby Babes permeated the air and the tragedy that was Munich in February 1958 as United beat Benfica. 

The Portuguese side were the first team to break Real Madrid's dominance in the early European Champions' Cup winning two consecutive trophies against FC Barcelona in 1961 and Real Madrid the following year. During the 1960’s Benfica reached three more finals, but never managed to win the trophy again, losing to Milan in 1963, Internazionale in 1965, and then Manchester United three years later. In 1968 Benfica were considered the best European team by France Football, built around The Black Pearl, Eusébio da Silva Ferreira. This moth another Scot takes a Manchester United team to Wembley in search of the European trophy and facing one of the best footballing sides ever, regularly compared to the Cruyff led Dutch sides of the 1970’s. Or indeed the Brazilian team of Pele, Tostao, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto, Rivelino, Gerson 

The legacy of that 1968 team has been deservedly etched into United history as a result of the May 29th win, when they tore Benfica apart by four goals to one. Now, forty three years later, almost to the day, the captain on the night, Sir Bobby Charlton, returns to Wembley, albeit a new edifice, to watch Manchester United seek their fourth trophy in five decades, and cementing Sir Alex Ferguson’s place alongside Sir Matt Busby. Sadly, the victory in 1999 came five years after the death of Busby, as did the 2008 trophy. However a third trophy in 2011 will enshrine the haunting spirit of Munich and the memories of Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam "Billy" Whelan.

The three members of the United staff also lost their lives that day, Walter Crickmer, club secretary, Tom Curry, trainer and Bert Whalley, chief coach. 

The ’68 United team will make the pilgrimage given it is a Wembley final, in what has become a more regular occurrence than was every imaginable forty three years ago and the group includes Alex Stepney, Bill Foulkes, David Sadler, Tony Dunne, Pat Crerand, Nobby Stiles, John Ashton and Jimmy Rimmer, who came on as a substitute on the night. For Brian Kidd the only complication may be his current employment with arch rivals City, although he has crossed the divide so many times over his career that it should not be problematic. Espaiclaly given he spent a decade at Old Trafford with Sir Alex Ferguson as youth team boss and assistant manager before leaving in 1998 to join Blackburn Rovers. 

One player who made the switch twice, moving to United after a two year spell in Torino in 1962,  was Denis Law, who never played in the Wembley final, nor the semi-final, as a knee injury was causing him serious problems at the time. Tommy Docherty gave Law a free transfer in 1973, after 11 years at the club, during which he had scored 237 goals in 404 games, collecting two league titles and an FA Cup winner's medal along the way. The most recent player to make the same switch with a modicum of success has been Argentinian Carlos Tevez, who played in the final in Rome in 2009 for United and will be one of a few names not eligible for the 2001 Wembley trip. The other being Cristiano Ronaldo who moved to Real Madrid in 2009 in a world record transfer deal worth £80 million. 

As history shows, Ferguson and United have missed neither player and a return to a third Champions League final in four years is testament to his winning formula. 

For two of the Irish stars that night in 1968, Shay Brennan and George Best, a return visit to Wembley is now impossible as both left the field, with Brennan passing away in 2000 and Best in 2005. Four years ago the Old Wembley was also replaced and on May 28th new history will be written for the managers, the players, the two clubs and all the former players. 

For Ferguson the poor performance in the Stadio Olimpico in 2009 no doubt weighs heavily on his competitive mind and United will hope to overcome this European super side, Barcelona, at the second time of asking in a Champions League final. In Rome Manchester United were seeking to be the first team to retain the trophy since Milan in 1990 and the burden proved too heavy. For Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola it is a return to the venue where he too has fond memories of winning the last of the European Cup's in 1992, under the guidance of Johan Cruyff – in what was to become the start of the Barcelona passing method. 

Only weeks ago both managers were chasing trebles and already those dreams have been shattered, with United facing a late struggle to win the Premier League. Barcelona on the other hand have La Liga in their grasp but lost the Copa del Rey and it maybe that the end of May the  manager's will be seeking a trophy double. 

For the 1968 United team it would be a memorable Wembley double if Sir Alex Ferguson was to emerge the Best. 

Sir Alex Delighted to Reach Wembley

Sir Alex Ferguson was a picture of delight after guiding a much-changed Manchester United FC side to the UEFA Champions League final for the fourth time – the club's third in four seasons and fifth European Champion Clubs' Cup showpiece overall – with an emphatic win against FC Schalke 04. However, the United manager is already looking forward to Sunday's Premier League summit meeting with Chelsea FC, and beyond that the final against FC Barcelona as United seek to atone for their 2009 reverse against the Catalan giants. 

Schalke's Ralf Rangnick admitted his side had come up short although their was pride in a memorable campaign – and a German Cup final still to come.

Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager

"You have to trust the players sometimes; it wasn't an easy decision tonight, I wrestled with it for a few days but the Arsenal result forced the situation. There was emotional tiredness on Sunday, and these European games can do that to you. So I had to make that decision. If it had been a tight game, there was no way I could have made nine changes, but with a two-goal lead, there was enough leeway. Now we'll have a fresh team on Sunday and we'll go for it.

We were favourites [against Barcelona] the last time. Maybe we are a little bit more experienced, but they are at their peak in terms of the development of the two clubs since the last game. But the experience has shown with us in terms of our away form in Europe, and it's shown in Barcelona's form from last year, and this year it's been absolutely brilliant. So it should be a really good final.

I don't think we should be going there lacking in confidence, Barcelona's form in Europe has been very good this season; we're playing a fantastic team, but we can't be frightened out of our skins because of that. Their form is there for everyone to see; our job is to find a solution to playing against them. A final at Wembley should represent the qualities in history and tradition at both clubs. Certainly it should be a good game."

Ralf Rangnick, Schalke coach

"Congratulations to United. It was a deserved victory; in both games they were the better team. For the first 20 minutes of tonight's game we played better than in the first leg, although we didn't create many chances. Certainly we had more possession during that period, but once we went behind it was a very difficult task we faced.

If you look at United's so-called second XI today, the quality of the players stands out – players like [Dimitar] Berbatov, Anderson and the two central defenders performed well. That shows their exceptional level; I think most Bundesliga teams would be happy to have that sort of quality in their squads. In the other semi-final between Real Madrid and Barcelona we saw their quality as well. We could possibly have gone out in earlier rounds, but performed excellently in the two legs against Inter; tonight we met our match.

We have two Bundesliga games left and we will be looking for positive results in those, and then there is the cup final. We hope we can get ready and recover the form we have shown recently. We've had three very hard games, against Manchester United and Bayern München, but then we should get ourselves back on track for the cup final.

It's difficult to predict [the final] as it's one game, but you've seen the quality of Barcelona; they've really set the standard for European football at the moment. But on the other hand the final is at Wembley, so there might be a slight advantage for United there. I'm excited to see how it turns out."

No Change in Champions Final Prices

Uefa has ruled out any change to the ticket prices for the Champions League final at Wembley in May, despite Michel Platini admitting they were too expensive.

The cheapest ticket on public sale for the final on 28 May will be £150 plus a £26 booking fee and Platini, the Uefa president, said family tickets should be half the price they are on sale for.

But Uefa's general secretary, Gianni Infantino, said at a news conference in Paris: "The ticket prices for Wembley will not change – the ticket sales have already started and the president expressed his opinion about that."

The final will be played on a Saturday for the second time – a move Platini championed to enable more families to attend.

Platini said in the French sports daily L'Equipe: "It's good that we have been alerted about it and we are going to look at it again in the future", adding that the pricing "isn't brilliant".

Puel Foils Real Madrid Once Again

Claude Puel fo Lyon

Real Madrid will still consider  Olympique Lyonnais as their bogey team in the Champions League after  the Spanish club escaped from the Stade de Gerland on Tuesday night with a draw - albeit with a vital away goal - in a match that saw the visitors take the lead in the 65th minute through substitute Karim Benzema.

Having looked comfortable following the break the goal settled Madrid until a series of substitutions in the last quarter by Jose Mourinho of Sami Khedira and Mezut Oezil for Lassana Diarra and Marcelo revived Lyon and led to their equaliser in the 83rd minute.

The arrival of Miralem Pjanic, scorer of the winning goal last season in the Bernabeu that ended Real's Champions dream of a home final - added to the tension in the dying minutes with Lyon applying all manner of means to break the deadlock.

In the end the Spanish side will have been happy to have flown out of the Rhone Capital with the spoils shared on the night.

Lyon Manager, Claude Puel, was pleased with the effort shown by Olympique Lyonnais after they rallied and with more cutting edge he felt they could have had more than Bafétimbi Gomis' 83rd-minute strike to show for their efforts. 

José Mourinho professed himself satisfied as Madrid avoided defeat at Lyon for the first time in their fourth visit – yet he acknowledges much work remains if his side are not to lose in the round of 16 for the seventh season running. 

Claude Puel, Lyon coach

"We produced a great game, a real spectacle. We dropped off the pace in the second half, when they played longer balls and put us under more pressure. They made the most of Karim coming on to score. After that we started to play our own game again and we finished very strongly to get the equaliser. It's a pity we missed opportunities, especially in the first half. Our final pass wasn't clinical enough. We deserved more because we gave our all. The scoreline is not satisfying but the performance was good."

"In the second half we saw a different Madrid, but in the first we created many chances by remaining compact and keeping our shape. Both defensively and offensively we are challenged by this team but we now have a chance to advance. It's not over yet. We know we will have opportunities in the second leg – we'll have to convert them."

José Mourinho, Madrid coach

"We're happy with the result but it could have been a lot better. The first half was an extremely ugly affair – as sometimes happens in these games – but the second belonged to us. We scored here for the first time and we also got our first draw. I knew it was going to be a tough, tight game with lots of pressing. When things began to open up a bit I threw on Karim. I'm happy he managed to score here on his return home; it's really fantastic for him personally and it was great for us as a team."

"A draw is a fair result tonight. In the first half Lyon left us little space and put us under a lot of pressure and we didn't play well. In the second, Madrid were the better team. We got much more space to play from deep, so we started creating chances.When we broke the deadlock, I thought we could get a second which would have all but taken us through – but at 1-1 the contest remains open. We have a slight advantage but Lyon are quality rivals."

"We will now be looking to the return at our stadium and we want it to produce the same effect that Lyon's home gives them. We are hoping for a memorable night at the Santiago Bernabéu to see us through to the next round."

2011 Champions Final Tickets

Gary Lineker at 2011 Champions League launch

A total of 11,000 tickets will be on sale to the international general public exclusively via

UEFA.com between Thursday 24 February and Friday 18 March. The net capacity of Wembley Stadium will be around 86,000, with each of the clubs in the final entitled to take up to 25,000 tickets to distribute directly to their fans.

UEFA fourth vice-president Marios N Lefkaritis was thrilled that this season's competition would conclude at such an iconic venue. "As a stadium the old Wembley was a truly global name, conjuring up fantastic football memories," he said. "The new Wembley, with its magnificent arch and great facilities, could wait no longer to host this final and offer almost 90,000 fans a unique display of football."

Representing The Football Association (FA), vice-chairman Barry Bright confirmed that the arch would be lit for all of the capital to see on 28 May, adding: "Wembley was built for historical occasions like this and we're looking forward to showing our stadium, which we believe is one of the best in the world, to the world. A European final in front of a capacity crowd at Wembley will be a very special event."

Lineker concurred: "London has so much history in terms of football, not just its successful clubs but also Wembley Stadium which is such an iconic venue across the world. The Champions League really comes to life in the knockouts and there are four English teams involved, three from London. It's an incredible statistic that a London team has never won the competition."

Fans of all nations are expected to descend on Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park for the UEFA Champions Festival, a week-long celebration in the build-up to the final that will feature an array of exhibitions and entertainment for people of all ages including football competitions and skills clinics.

The festival will shut its doors in the run-up to kick-off at Wembley, where the captain of one of the competition's 16 remaining clubs will follow in the footsteps of the five previous winners – FC Barcelona (1992), Liverpool FC (1978), AFC Ajax (1971), Manchester United FC (1968) and AC Milan (1963) – in lifting club football's most prestigious prize.

Related articles

• CL final prices highest ever (skysports.com)
• Euro final ticket prices revealed (news.bbc.co.uk)
• Uefa reveal cost of Champions League final tickets (independent.co.uk)