Piqué predicting 'special' semi

It may appear a hugely enticing semi-final, but Gerard Piqué believes the showdown between Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona would have been most neutrals' choice for the UEFA Champions League final itself.

'Dream final'
United defender Piqué has predicted a great spectacle when the teams face off in the first leg at Camp Nou next Wednesday and admits the fixture will hold "special" meaning for him given his background as a former player in Barcelona's youth ranks. "This was the dream final," Piqué told uefa.com. "For many football fans a Barcelona-Manchester United final would have been what they wanted because we're the two teams that play the best football, but fate has brought us together in the semis and they'll be two great games for the fans and also to play in.

'Massive test'
"I grew up there and played there for a lot of years and it will be something special to go back. Of course I want us to win and to get through to Moscow but it's going to be massive test," added the 21-year-old, who was born in Barcelona and spent seven years in the Spanish club's youth system, where he was a contemporary of Lionel Messi, before leaving for Old Trafford in autumn 2004.

Defence the key
For all the attacking flair on view, Piqué believes it will be the team that makes fewer mistakes that progresses. "We know they play well and are very good in possession. We play the same way but the team that is stronger at the back and defends better will get through." And here he believes United have the edge. "We are stronger there. We have a great record – we've only conceded 18 goals in the Premier League which shows the team has been working very well defensively, not only the defenders and the goalkeeper but the team as a whole. We have a lot of ammunition in attack too. We have very good forward players and they play for each other and score goals too.

'I feel great'
"There is Carlos [Tévez], Wayne Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, who is on a great run. So I think people have to respect us because every game we can score at any moment," he continued. Piqué, who spent last season on loan at Real Zaragoza, will hope to make his fourth appearance of United's European campaign against Barcelona, having come into the side following Nemanja Vidić's injury. He admits life on the fringes of the Old Trafford first team can be "difficult" but adds: "You always want to play more, and when you do play after a long time on the bench it is also difficult but the truth is I feel great."