BARCELONA COACH Pep Guardiola believes the only way his side can beat “the best team in the world” in tonight’s Champions League final is to “play beautiful”.
The Spanish champions go into the clash with holders Manchester United at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico looking to clinch their third European title.
“The fans know that it will not be easy,” said Guardiola. “We know we face the best team in the world and we want to beat the best team in the world. In order to do that, we will try to be Barca.
“I want my players to play beautiful and I want them to be daring and to show to the world why we have been so successful and lift the cup.
“That is my only worry, I don’t want to have any regrets after the game that we didn’t do this or that on the pitch, in other words we didn’t show the play that we have been able to do so far.”
What Guardiola has done so far has been most impressive.
A member of the first Barcelona team to win the European Cup with a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria 17 years ago at Wembley, Guardiola has led the Catalan outfit to a Primera Liga and Copa del Rey double in his first season at the helm. He will now attempt to earn a place on the privileged list of five men who have won the European trophy as both player and coach.
Guardiola will also attempt to help Barcelona become the first Spanish treble winners with a victory in Rome.
“I could never have imagined anything like this at the beginning of the season,” said the 38-year-old. “I just wanted to do a good job, but in my first year to win the league, the cup and to be here, one step away from being European champions, is great.
“We cannot deny that it has been a great season. I have been fortunate to have a great team and we’ve been able to do well. But we can still do better.”
Guardiola knows Manchester United have few weaknesses. Alex Ferguson’s team go into the clash on a record 25-match unbeaten run in the competition.
United have a superb defensive record in this season’s competition with just six goals conceded, but Guardiola is respectful of the whole team.
“I think Manchester United have lots of virtues,” he said. “If we are not strong in defence they will attack and it is a team that attacks well.
“If it has to defend, it defends with humility and if it has to counter-attack, they are deadly.
“We have tried to correct some things that we do badly and highlight the positive things we do.”
Above all, Guardiola is thrilled for Barcelona to be in this situation after their late goal against Chelsea in the semi-final.
“Whether we win or lose, my view of United or of Ferguson or of Cristiano Ronaldo will not change.”
Barcelona will rely on the inspiration of Spanish internationals Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield, while they hope Lionel Messi can maintain his form in front of goal. Messi is the competition’s top scorer with eight goals this season.
“We are going to see a great Messi,” said Guardiola. “He is in good form and the team will help him to deliver. If we play in the way we can play, then Messi will have a good game.”
Guardiola has remained tight-lipped on whether Thierry Henry or Iniesta will play.
Both have been sidelined since the beginning of the month through injury but are fighting against the clock to earn a place in the starting line-up.
“We still have one training session,” said Guardiola. “We will see what their condition is. If they are well, they will play.”
The main dilemma facing Guardiola is in defence, with central duo Rafa Marquez and Gabriel Milito out injured and full-backs Eric Abidal and Dani Alves suspended.
Club captain Carles Puyol will return from suspension and is set to shift to right-back with Gerard Pique partnering Yaya Toure at the heart of defence.
Sylvinho and Keita are the candidates for the left-back position.
