Barça and Manchester United will both be looking for their fourth European Cup at Wembley this month - the English team won in 1968,1999 and 2008 and the Catalans in 1992, 2006 and 2009.
May 28th will see a European Cup final between two teams who have many similar points in their
recent history - not least the fact that they have both won 3 European Cups and their Wembley date
will allow one of them to draw level with Bayern Munich and Ajax who have both won the trophy 4
times.
1968 and 1992 see first wins at Wembley for United and Barça
Like Barça, Manchester United won their first ever European Cup at Wembley Stadium.
It was on May 29th 1968 and Sir Matt Busby saw Bobby Charlton and George Best lead his team to a
4-1 victory against Eusebio’s Benfica. That win was to mark a turning point for the club
though, and they were not to challenge for any more titles for another 20 years.
In contrast, Barça’s 1992 win at Wembley marked the start of their most successful era.
Koeman’s extra time goal against Sampdoria gave the Club the first of the three European Cups
they were to win over the next 17 years. Since then, Barça have also taken nine League titles. That
period was also to be Manchester United’s golden age, with Sir Alex Ferguson managing his
team to consistent domestic and European success.
1998 and 2005 - Barcelona and Paris
The Camp Nou staged its second ever European Cup final when Ferguson’s team
took on Bayern Munich on May 26th 1999. The Germans were ahead until the 89th minute when two late
goals from Sheringham and Solskjaer turned the score round and handed United their second European
crown. Barça had actually gone out in the group stages to the two finalists that season.
Carles Puyol lifted the Club’s second European Cup in Paris on May 17th 2005 after
Frank Rijkaard’s team saw off Arsenal 2-1, coming back from a Campbell opener for the Gunners
with goals from Eto’o and Belletti. In contrast, United failed to get beyond the group stage.
Penalty shoot-out in Moscow
Manchester United’s last Champions League win came in Moscow on May 21st 2008
against Chelsea. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lampard had scored to leave the game drawn at 1-1 and United
finally won on penalties after John Terry famously slipped in the penalty shoot-out. United had
beaten Barça in the semi-finals, but Guardiola’s team were to get revenge the following
season.
27 May 2009. Rome welcomes 21st century’s top two teams
Rome’s Olympic Stadium saw the two best teams in the world face up in the
2009 final. Barça dominated throughout and with goals from Eto’o and Messi they lifted their
third European Cup in what was to prove their most successful year ever.
Both teams come into the Wembley final in the best moment of their history: since the turn of
the century, Barça have won 14 titles and Manchester 17. This May 28th, one of them will add one
more trophy to that total.