Champions League final video highlights
2011
FC Barcelona
Barcelona returned to the scene of their first European Cup title success training at Wembley Stadium ahead of the Champions League final clash with Manchester United.
'Barca' are favourites heading into a repeat of the 2009 final - when the Catalan club triumphed 2-0 over United - and are in line to win a third Champions League title in six years.
Barcelona's fans - and the club's current manager - have fond memories of Wembley Stadium in North London.
The Catalan club were crowned European champions for the first time in 1992 at the home of English football and 'Pep' Guardiola was one of the 'Barca' players lifting the European Cup after a 1-0 win over Sampdoria.
For Guardiola, it will be an honour to once again pit his wits against United and their veteran manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It's a proud moment for us to come back here again. To do so many semi-finals in a row, second final in three years and to play against one of the most historic sides in European football, in world football like Manchester United. It's an honour for us, me as a manager, to be sitting again next to Sir Alex Ferguson, for me it's an honour. It's a great experience, how he has treated me. When you are with him it makes you realise and to enjoy all this spectacle and tomorrow compete with the best intentions to make the best game possible.,” says Guardiola.
Although Barcelona are famed for their attacking flair, the Spanish champions will need to be strong in defence when they face United forwards Wayne Rooney and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez.
They can at least count on a little inside knowledge from centre back Gerard Pique, who played at Old Trafford until returning to Barcelona in 2008.
But it is in the midfield engine room where Barcelona are a cut above the rest of the footballing world - Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez two of the best passers in the game.
Guardiola insists his squad are fully prepared for kick-off at Wembley and he expects nothing less from the opposition.
"Yes. The days before we are preparing and focused on Manchester United. We are focused on our (fitness), our conditions, our players. We are focused on how we have to play tomorrow and.... just think about the game. So, I think they did it and we did the same."
United were given something of a footballing lesson when they lost the 2009 final to Barcelona in Rome.
However, 'Barca' goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes that the current United side have improved since their difficult night in the Italian capital.
"Manchester United have a very strong, high level. We saw it in different games, we saw it in the final in Rome. I think they've changed a little bit since that year and from what we are going to see tomorrow. I expect a game, a final that is very intense, like everyone expects, and a lot of chances,” says Valdes.
Carles Puyol, Barcelona’s captain, is expected to play at left full back, where Barcelona currently have several injury problems.
Asked if team-mate Lionel Messi will be the key to victory, Puyol replied that all of the Barcelona team are desperate to be crowned European champions for a fourth time.
"The team has a lot of will. Really it's incredible to be here. I think two of the best teams of Europe. I hope it's a beautiful final, I hope it's very beautiful. Lio (Lionel Messi), like all of the team, has a lot of enthusiasm. He always arrives in the important games and I hope tomorrow is his day,” says Puyol.
Having scored 52 goals in 54 games this season - and 11 in the Champions League alone - United must stop Messi at all costs.
However, pay too much respect to Messi and there will be more space for Pedro Rodriguez and David Villa to exploit, not to mention more temptation for Xavi and Iniesta to get forward.
Two of Europe's great club sides playing at one of football's most historic venues in the final of the continent's premier club competition - Saturday night's final has all of the ingredients of a truly classic match.
Manchester United
A fourth European title beckons for both Manchester United and Barcelona at Wembley stadium, as the champions of England and Spain go head-to-head in the Champions League final.
Sir Alex Ferguson described the game as potentially one of the best showpiece finals ever - despite going into the game as the underdogs, Ferguson can pick from a full strength squad and is confident that his side's solidity at the back and attacking prowess up front will allow them to avenge United's 2-0 defeat in the 2009 final in Rome.
Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United squad took to the Wembley pitch in readiness for another crack at a fourth European title when they take on Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Ferguson appeared relaxed and confident as he looked over an effectively fully-fit squad, who he thinks has the right blend of youth and experience to tackle 'Pep' Guardiola's Catalan giants.
United go into the game as the underdogs, but one player who might make a difference is Wayne Rooney, who was at one time compared with Barcelona's star man Lionel Messi, but whose own star has waned over the past year.
Ferguson was reluctant to focus on any one individual at the pre-match press conference and was keen to emphasise United's solid defensive record in European football - not just over the course of this year.
"You see our record in Europe this year, it's... it's been very, very good. We found a good way of playing in Europe, er... and it's different from other teams in some ways, but you know, you look at the team of 2008 to today they're not gradual changes, just in maybe experience and being used to playing in Europe - they are far more experienced in playing in Europe now, but... different qualities now. Very pleased in what they've achieved this year in Europe,” says Ferguson.
Up front for United, it's not just about Wayne Rooney.
There's also Mexican international Javier Hernandez, who has scored 19 goals for United in an impressive debut season.
"In the case of 'Chicharito' (Javier Hernandez) then, it's been an incredible season for the boy. No-one in our club thought for a minute he'd achieve what he has achieved in his first season and all for... if he continues that way tomorrow night... he's got the temperament, he's got the speed, he's got the movement, he's got all the things necessary to be a good player tomorrow night."
At the press conference, Ferguson chose to be flanked by his two first choice central defenders, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, on the eve of the Champions League final, an indication of the confidence the United manager has in both men.
United's defensive record has been astonishing in the Champions League this season - they have yet to concede a goal away from Old Trafford in this campaign.
Former England skipper Rio Ferdinand chose to focus on the collective spirit and trust within the team.
"We've got 100 per cent belief and trust in all our players, not only Wayne (Rooney), but everybody else and it's not going to be down just to one person to perform tomorrow night to make sure we get over the line and make sure we're a successful team. It's going to need all of us to make sure we're focused and we concentrate and we implement what the manager wants us to do,” says Ferdinand.
Current team captain Nemanja Vidic conceded that United have put in a little more work than usual in the lead-up to Saturday's final.
It's clearly more than 'just another game' when you have to deal with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and David Villa and for Vidic, the best preparation lies in getting the mental attitude right.
"We're doing the stuff. What we're doing usual, we prepare a bit more a few days, to prepare more than usual, but it's more about psychological things and to... to be ready mentally and physically, we play so many games this year, we are all fit and we just try to prepare ourselves for this big game psychologically and obviously, we have so many mature players here, we can say experience they have in their career and will help the other players to be prepared,” adds Vidic.
Saturday's Champions League final has become one of the most eagerly-awaited matches in recent years - not just in Europe, but across the footballing world.
According to Ferguson, anything could happen in the game, but one thing appears to be off the agenda - a dull tactical encounter where all of the attacking flair is snuffed out by defensive tactics.
"It's an appealing final in terms of what could happen in the game. Anything could happen in this game tomorrow. There could be a lot of goals, there could be lot of excitement and there will be a lot of good football, I'm sure of that, so it is set up, the platform's there, hopefully, it turns out that way,” says Ferguson.
One thing is certain to emerge from Saturday's final even if the game goes beyond extra time and penalties - with three European titles each, either Manchester United or Barcelona will be crowned champions of Europe for a fourth time, taking them into joint fourth place in the all-time standings, alongside Ajax of the Netherlands and German giants Bayern Munich.
There is a long way to go for both sides to reach Real Madrid's record nine titles, or even AC Milan's seven, but perhaps United will have one eye on equalling Liverpool's five European crowns before too long.