UEFA Champions League: Final Starting XI Predictions

With the Semi-Finals done and dusted, all eyes will focus to the 28 May 2011 where FC Barcelona will take on Manchester United at the home of English football, Wembley Stadium, in London.

The final will be contested by two teams that could easily challenge one another, while many would argue Barcelona has been the stronger, more dominate team, having taken all recent results. Others have the view that any team directed by Sir Alex Ferguson is as strong as the opposition.

Both teams have found themselves in the Final regularly in the last couple seasons, with Barcelona coming out on top when the two met in 2009.

Back in 2009, both squads where seemingly strong. Most of the players are set to tackle each other at this year's final—with the exclusion of four massive names.

Tactical Approach:

Both managers are experienced enough to be weary of the attacking ability of the opposition, while Barcelona seem stronger going forward with the likes of Messi, Villa & Pedro.

Sir Alex will also have his men using the counter attack to the best of their advantage. Rooney, Valencia and Giggs—who should all possibly start—could each be a problem at some point during the match.

Ferguson will be the happier when looking at his bench—a far stronger set of players for the Scott.

4 Massive Players from '09 to Miss This Final

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Amongst the superstar names that will be present and on the field, there are some who will be missed. Nevertheless, they have moved on and so has the club. A few years later, once again these two giants of European football will meet.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Carlos Alberto Tevez (Manchester City)

Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan)

Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

All four of these players could tear apart any defense when on their game. Both teams will surely miss them, but the job still needs to be done regardless.

Yaya Toure is another key member of the 2009 Barcelona team to miss. He has since moved to Manchester City.

FC Barcelona Lineup

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

ROME, ITALY - MAY 27: The FC Barcelona team line up before 2the UEFA Champions League Final match between Barcelona and Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico on May 27, 2009 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Strong squad. Basically the same 11 that would start almost any match for Barca. Strong going forward, brilliant midfield and good enough at the back.

Formation:

4-3-3

Victor Valdez

Daniel Alvez

Gerard Pique

Carlos Puyol

Erick Abidal

Xavi Hernandez

Andries Iniesta

Sergio Busquests

Pedro Rodriguez

David Villa

Lionel Messi

Bench-Warmers :

Bojan

Mascherano

Keita

Afellay

Adriano

Maxwell

Milito

Manchester United Lineup

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

ROME - MAY 27: Manchester United players pose for their team photo before the UEFA Champions League Final match between Barcelona and Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico on May 27, 2009 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

This is a team filled with loads of experience and desire. Looking through the lineup, there's passion and energy from Rooney, Park and Valencia. Schoels' experience is vital.

Formation:

4-5-1

Edwin Van der Sar

John O'Shea

Rio Ferdinand

Nemanja Vidic

Patrice Evra

Antonio Valencia

Michael Carrick

Paul Scholes

Ryan Giggs

Park Ji-Sung

Wayne Rooney

Bench-Warmers :

Kuszczak

Rafael

Smalling

Fletcher

Anderson

Nani

Hernandez

Berbatov

Owen