By Shaun Orange

The moment that everyone has been long awaiting has finally come. A Champions League final between two of the world’s king pins in football to be held at the Stadio Olimpico has all the ingredients of what is conceived to be the best contest of the year.

Both giants go into the encounter after safely sealing their respective domestic leagues, with this both Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola had the luxury of resting their key players ahead of their battle.

Guardiola, who for his part rested nearly his whole first line picks in their penultimate La Liga fixture on Saturday where they lost 1-0 to Osasuna.

While Sir Alex Ferguson’s controversial decision to field a weaker squad, still managed to thump Hull City in their last league match, and this is just a mere demonstration of the strength of the Old Trafford side.

What makes this final so special boils down to the fact that both these teams share a lot of commonalities in terms of their attributes, and collectively this formulates a strong teams.

We have a clash of two giants, who both clinched their domestic leagues and have outstanding managers. Additionally they pride themselves with currently two of the best players in the world, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and both teams play stylish attacking football.

These two players will definitely be entertaining to watch as they are both determined to prove who is really the cream of the crop. The United striker will undoubtedly have a few tricks up his sleeve while the Argentine winger will be sure to display some dazzling bursts on the flank.

The competition is Ferguson’s main center of attention, he aims at branding the Old Trafford club as leaders in this respect and prides it even more than the World Cup.

This he itinerated when he told The Technician, “I think that, overall, the UEFA Champions League is hard to beat when it comes to consistency, quality and drama.

“The World Cup, of course, is every four years, and big changes always take place with the departure of many players and coaches and continuity then suffers.”

Clearly Fergie is out on a mission, but will missing the services of Darren Ferguson and whether key defender Rio Ferdinand will be fit enough for action, we will know soon enough.

Barcelona for their part will be staging action without defenders, Rafael Marquez, who is out on an injury count and the suspended Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves.

All these players play an instrumental role in their clubs, but the showing will not be any less of a thriller as both sides host all round squads.

The Spanish giants are tipped to go full out and play an attacking and aggressive style of play, while they will have to be vigilant for United’s fast breaks on the counter attack. While Barca have the ability to hold on to the ball, United will have to patient in their tactics.