Valdés aims to shine on glory night

So much of the focus in this season's UEFA Champions League has been on the supreme attacking abilities of Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry that it could easily be forgotten that in many of the European Champion Clubs' Cup finals since the first here in Paris 50 years ago, the heroes have not been star strikers but goalkeepers.

Ducadam, Dida and Dudek
Helmut Ducadam 20 years ago, Dida in 2003 and Jerzy Dudek last season in Istanbul have all been match-winners. And with this year's protagonists, Arsenal FC and FC Barcelona, seemingly so well matched maybe a goalkeeper will take the plaudits again. Arsenal custodian Jens Lehmann has played the role before, starring in FC Schalke 04's UEFA Cup triumph in 1997 and Arsenal's semi-final victory over Villarreal CF. Conversely, Víctor Valdés is regarded by some as Barcelona's weakest link.

Valdés mission
However, the young Catalan has been a regular in the Barça lineup since the 2003/04 campaign and has time on his side in his quest to follow up his underage international honours by breaking into the senior Spain squad. First, though, comes the task of stopping Thierry Henry and company. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in the Stade de France, the 24-year-old said: "It is not just Henry. We have to take account of all the Arsenal players and not just pay attention to Henry. Arsenal have had a wonderful season and they have great players and play a very attacking game. I can see this final being a great one."

Messi boost
Valdés also has good news for Blaugrana fans about a fellow graduate of the club's La Masia youth programme, Lionel Messi. The Argentinian teenager came through a morning training session in Barcelona. "He is a great player to have on your team but it is up to the coach to decide [whether he plays]," Valdés said. "I can't really say anything except that he is recovering well."

Cesc appeal
Like Valdés and Messi, Cesc Fabregas came through the Barcelona system. This term he has emerged as the heartbeat of the Arsenal midfield, and Barça captain Carles Puyol is well aware of the threat the 19-year-old poses. "He has had an impressive season," Puyol said. "He is now one of the most important Arsenal players. He moves all over the midfield and has freedom and space - and the confidence of his coach."

Puyol praise
Puyol, however, disputes assertions that Barça are favourites. "Outsiders can think what they want about us being favourites but we respect Arsenal a lot and any final is 50-50," he said. "Arsenal are very strong in defence and very good on the break and they have quality players who play that way perfectly."

Henry again
And the shaggy-haired defender, who faces the unenviable task of nullifying Henry, echoes his goalkeeper's comments on the French forward. "For me, Henry is one of the best players in the world. He's very fast and extremely dangerous but we can't afford just to concentrate on him because they have so many other good players who can also cause problems."