Ronaldo and Messi meet in European final

Today, Manchester United will try to become the first team to repeat as UEFA Champions League winners since Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten led AC Milan back to the title in 1990.

The English side will face off against Spanish giants, FC Barcelona, in Rome's Stadio Olympico. United defeated Chelsea last year in Moscow in the first all-English final in the history of the competition. United won the English Premier League for a record 11th time this season while Barca secured the Spanish La Liga title a few weeks ago.

The game pits free-scoring Barca against the ultra-efficient Red Devils. Barca has no other gear than full speed ahead. They attack constantly from every possible angle and keep the pressure on opposing defenses the likes of which has rarely been seen in European soccer.

In contrast, the more pragmatic United side can beat you in a variety of ways. Their suffocating defense pounds opposing attackers into submission while their midfield dominates possession with precision passing.

The contrast in the squads begins with the clubs managers. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson bounced around Scottish clubs and never really distinguished himself as a player the way his counterpart, Barca manager Pep Guardiola, did.

Guardiola on the other hand is still navigating through his first campaign as manager of the Blaugrana. He replaced the aforementioned Rijkaard this season after spending a year as coach of the Barca reserve squad last year. Guardiola is a Barca legend as a player.

Look for Ferguson to begin the game in a more cautious defend first and counter-attack style of play. He will most likely deploy last years European and World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo up top as a lone striker with Wayne Rooney supporting him on the left wing. He is also likely to prefer the industry and defensive work rate of Ji-Sung Park on the right wing to try and disrupt the Barcelona attack.

Ferguson also looks to be given a boost as it appears central defender Rio Ferdinand will be fit to play. Ferdinand and central defensive partner Nemanja Vidic have formed arguably the best defensive partnership in the world this season. That includes a run of 14 games earlier this season without surrendering a goal.

Guardiola on the other hand has a few issues to contend with. Those start with the defense. Both of Barca's first choice outside backs, Dani Alves and Eric Abidal, will miss the final due to suspension, and center back Rafael Marquez is ruled out with a knee injury sustained in their semi-final tilt with Chelsea.

Guardiola does have cover for Marquez in the youngster Gerard Pique. The 22 year-old spent four years at United and his knowledge of their attackers could prove to be useful during the match.

Barca also has some issues up front. Midfielder Andres Iniesta and striker Thierry Henry are both in a fitness battle to be ready for the final. Both are expected to take part, but both are also expected to not be at 100%.

To win Barca will need to dominate possession in the middle of the park. Midfield general Xavi will need to control the game and be precise with his passing. Turnovers against United can result in costly breakaways that United are among the best in the world at finishing off. And, World and European Player of the Year favorite Leo Messi will need to get involved early and often.

Barca can hurt you from just about anywhere on the pitch and neutralizing their attack, which has produced over 150 goals in all competitions this season, will be first priority for Ferguson's troops. When they do get forward, Ronaldo and Rooney will need to combine well with the midfielders to break down Barca's defense.

Expect United to use their experience to frustrate and blunt Barca's attack while Rooney, Ronaldo and Co. to wreak havoc on their patchwork backline.

United has to be the favorite, they have the least amount of questions about their squad, as well as the experience of having defeated Barca in the semi-final round of this competition last year. Still, count Barca out at your own peril, if we learned anything about them with their last gasp winner at Chelsea in the last round, it's that they are dangerous until the final whistle.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.