Rome finalists to meet the press

FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC have confirmed details of their media open days before the UEFA Champions League final in Rome on 27 May, with members of the international press having the chance to interview the coaching and playing staffs of both teams.

Camp Nou date
FC Barcelona will hold their open day on Thursday 21 May at Camp Nou. A full open training session will start at 11.00CET, followed by a mixed zone allowing the different sectors of the media to interview the entire squad of players. At 13.30, coach Josep Guardiola will conduct a news conference in the stadium press area. Media wishing to attend should email Barcelona accreditation manager Francesc Orenes at francesc.orenes@fcbarcelona.cat and international communications manager Chemi Teres at chemi.teres@fcbarcelona.cat.

Carrington venue
Manchester United's media day will take place on Wednesday 20 May at their training centre in Carrington (approximately 10km west of Old Trafford). Proceedings will begin at 09.00 local time with a news conference with manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs in the academy building. This will be followed by a training session from 10.00 which will be fully open to the press. Player interviews will be organised from 12.00 onwards. Media wishing to attend are asked to inform Manchester United in advance by emailing football media manager Diana Law at diana.law@manutd.co.uk.

Opportunity
The idea of staging open days is to help clubs, players and coaches cope with the media demands surrounding the UEFA Champions League final. Availability on other days during the short preparation period before the Rome showpiece is not guaranteed and media are urged to make good use of these events to prepare preview material.

Pre-match activities
The two clubs have also announced their media activities at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday 26 May. Barcelona will have their news conference at 19.15CET, followed by a fully open training session from 20.00 to 21.00. Manchester United's press conference will start at 17.45, followed by a fully open training session between 18.30 and 19.30.