Rijkaard: United have no chance in Rome
Former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard believes Manchester United have no chance of retaining their Champions League crown in Rome, if the Catalan giants play to their full potential. The sides, who were crowned champions of the Premier League and la Liga respectively on Saturday, meet in Rome next Wednesday with the Red Devils aiming to become the first side to ever successfully defend the Champions League. But Rijkaard, who guided Barca to their last European Cup triumph against Arsenal in 2006, is tipping his former club to emerge victorious in what he expects to be an entertaining contest.
"This final is extraordinary, it features two of the world's best teams," he told FIFA.com.
"It's going to be a very interesting game to watch. You have some of the world's best players playing against each other.
"Manchester United have been looking good lately. They have Cristiano Ronaldo, a good quality player who is able to win games for them.
"Barcelona play beautiful football. They are good and are attack-minded. I think it's going to be about goals, and more goals.
"If Barcelona defend well, I think they can beat United. If they can keep their shape and not make mistakes, then I can't see how they can lose it."
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Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.