For Barcelona, the Champions League final offers more than the chance to collect another glittering titleit’s the opportunity to further advance its claims as soccer’s greatest team.
But Premier League champion Manchester United is a suitably illustrious opponent in Saturday’s final at Wembley Stadium in London.
The two best club teams in Europe — probably in the world — with some of the best players on the planet will battle on international TV in one of the most-watched soccer games outside the World Cup.
Powered by the goals of Lionel Messi and inspired by the midfield guile of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, Barcelona clinched a third straight Spanish title this season and has typically controlled two-thirds possession in its Champions League matches against Europe’s strongest sides.
Still, Manchester United has extra motivation after its meek performance in 2009 and is on a high after it broke Liverpool’s record by winning a 19th English championship.
“You never get bored of celebrations like this,” United striker Wayne Rooney said. “This is what you play football to do, to win trophies and medals.”
They’ve been here before.
Two years after Manchester United was outclassed by Barcelona in the Champions final, Man U manager Alex Ferguson thinks the Spanish champs are even better going into the rematch.
Since Barcelona won its third European title in 2009, Pep Guardiola’s club has won two Spanish titles and is often lauded as the best team in soccer history. “They have more maturity about their team now,” Ferguson said.
Messi remains Barcelona’s most potent threat, netting 11 goals in the Champions League this season.
But Manchester counters with scoring threats in Rooney and Michael Owen.
Messi sees tough game.
Still, the best player on the field is likely to be Messi. He is rested and will be looking to add to his season tally of 52 goals.
The Argentine forward scored in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Man United in the 2009 final in Rome, but is expecting a tougher challenge at Wembley Stadium in London. “It’s a final, a special game to play,” Messi said.
The Associated Press
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Barcelona (Spain) vs. Manchester United (England)
Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London, noon MT, airing on Fox (KDVR-31)
AROUND TOWN
Ultimate disc-o in Boulder.
Most of the more than 700 teams that entered the 2011 USA Ultimate College Championship Series in April have faded away.
What’s left are the 20 best squads, in men’s and women’s divisions, for this weekend’s championship rounds in Boulder. The best disc-handlers in the land will be crowned. And among the challengers are three from the Front Range.
In the men’s division, Colorado and Colorado College are among the contenders. Colorado, which won the national title in 2004, should be a favorite this weekend. But Colorado College finished second behind CU in the South Central Region.
For the women, Colorado College won its region to get to the title round, and will go against California and Virginia, among others, in the opening rounds.
The tournament plays out today through Monday at Pleasant View Sports Park in Boulder.
See for schedules and info.
STAY ON THE COUCH
Race of many flags.
International flair will lead the pack in the 95th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. Quebec’s Alex Tagliani earned the pole, and California’s Townsend Bell is the only American starting in the first two rows.
But when the speeds start topping out near 230 mph, a driver’s origin is of little concern. Ask Mike Conway, who last year nipped the wheels of Ryan Hunter-Reay on the white flag and flipped airborne into the retaining wall in a spectacular crash that sent him to the hospital with a broken leg and back.
It was one of the most exciting finishes in Indy 500 history, with Dario Franchitti going on to win his second race at the Brickyard.
This year, Scotland’s Franchitti is again a favorite, along with Australia’s Will Power, who has two victories in four IndyCar races this season.
It airs on KMGH-7 at 10 a.m.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Not your regular bike ride.
A few people will be running around Boulder on Monday. But on Saturday and Sunday, the focus will be in nearby Superior.
The Superior Morgul Classic bike races, including the renowned Morgul Bismark Road Race, run Saturday and Sunday over a 13-mile course. It’s a bike racer’s dream — and nightmare.
In 1981, Greg LeMond notoriously staged a rally on the Morgul Bismark Loop, back when the course was part of the Coors International Bicycle Classic. With the USA Pro Cycling Challenge about to put Colorado back on the international race map, expect a return to a higher profile for this race.
On Saturday, the Summit Criterium will race around Rock Creek on a 1-mile closed course. Sunday, the Morgul Bismark starts near Flatirons Mall, heads to 120th Avenue, then takes Colorado 93 to Marshall Road and back to McCaslin Boulevard. It’s a demanding course, ending with a mile-long climb called “The Wall” — trouble for the unprepared.
Check for information and registration.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Rookie call-up.
Sunday sets up what could be a classic pitching duel at Coors Field, with one of the Rockies’ best pitchers this season, Jhoulys Chacin, going against one of St. Louis’ best, Kyle Lohse.
But on Saturday — with the Rockies hosting the Cardinals on a regional telecast on Fox (KDVR-31) at 5 p.m. — the matchup is a mystery.
Colorado goes with rookie fireballer Juan Nicasio, in his first start since being called up from Double-A Tulsa. Nicasio will face the Cardinals’ ace so far this year, Jaime Garcia (5-0, 1.93 ERA).
Trial by fire, perhaps, for Nicasio. But the Rockies will need more than just a standout rookie performance to rally after Jorge De La Rosa’s season-ending elbow injury.
