Desailly backing 'very special' Barça

Double UEFA Champions League winner Marcel Desailly is hoping the 2009 final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC will be "a great game for supporters", although he is confident the Spanish side's "something extra" will prove to be the difference in Rome.

Barça prediction
Having lifted the trophy with Olympique de Marseille in 1993 and AC Milan a year later – making him one of only two players to win the competition in consecutive years with different clubs – the former French international has insider knowledge when it comes to considering who will triumph at the Stadio Olimpico. "It's 50-50 but I believe Barcelona have something extra," Desailly said. "I love the way Barcelona have been entertaining us this year, even a United fan cannot talk badly about them – and I think they will win. For supporters of football I would like to see Barcelona get something out of it because United won it last year and you have to share. As supporters we want to see a great game and this is what it's all about."

'Stability and peace'
Should United confound Desailly's prediction and triumph, they would become the only side to successfully defend the trophy in the UEFA Champions League era and the first to win consecutive European Champion Clubs' Cups since Milan in 1989 and 1990. "That would be something great; no one was expecting to see United at that level again this season, especially when you look at how they started. They were tired, Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to leave and Sir Alex Ferguson has done really well to bring back that stability into the club and give them peace to work. Yes, they have chances – but small ones, because Barcelona for me are really special."

Collective responsibility
Much of the pre-match focus has been on Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, although unlike many observers Desailly does not believe the outcome of their personal duel will necessarily be decisive. "They're top players but neither of them are bigger than their own team. They are two elements that can make the difference, but at this level you don't really have one player who can be decisive, [you win] collectively. It will be very difficult for those two because they're under a lot of pressure. Let's forget about them; you have Andrés Iniesta, who is a magic player, you have Wayne Rooney who is a world-class player already. These are beautiful things that you have to see as well.

'Something very special'
"For all the players it's very special to be in this final, because it's a year's work to get here," added Desailly, who expects United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, if not Barça coach Josep Guardiola, to adopt a slightly different approach than usual. "Tactically Guardiola will not change anything because Barcelona are so sure of themselves. They will play like they know, using the same tactics and movement. United will probably change a bit, they might keep Rooney on the left side and will try to surprise Barcelona because they really need to be focused and tight in midfield to be able to counterattack very quickly. That's how they can win. Either team has the possibility to do that, but Barcelona have something very special."