Tuesday, 24th May, 2011
Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola believes that the Champions League final is on a knife-edge. The Catalans are widely favoured to beat Manchester United when the two sides meet at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, but Guardiola sees a close contest that is simply impossible to call.
While many of the predictions for the Blaugrana stem from their 2-0 victory over United in the 2009 Champions League final, the Catalans believe that final was much closer than has widely been assumed. And it is the basis for Guardiola’s prediction of a close contest.
"Yesterday and today, we reviewed the final from two years ago", explained the Catalan coach.
"Manchester was much better than us in the first period. In the second half we had more ball control and we played better than them.
"The level is now very close.
"Two high performing teams, very strong, which can easily play in four or five different shapes, all powerful. One of the very best teams in the world, not just this year, but for 10 to 15.
"It will be very difficult to beat them. We must try to see how we can play, how we can attack."
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