90 Minutes.  By the end of 90 minutes we will likely have 1/2 of the 2008 Champions League final match-up set.  Disaster or glory awaits both of these clubs.  Two clubs that had the highest of expectations at the beginning of the season face off to head to Moscow.  The amazing thing is that the loser of this match may in fact end up trophyless this season.  Barca's season success hinges on the next 90 minutes and Man Utd are hanging on to the EPL title by Goal Difference.

Who's the pressure on? I don't know.  Man Utd have to be seen as favorites playing at home needing a win.  But you cannot say Barcelona have nothing to play for.  There is plenty of evidence to show that this might be the last meaningful match for this group of players.  

What does Barcelona need to do? They need to do something they have not done in 314 minutes, score a goal.  An early goal will put all the pressure on Man Utd to score twice.  If Barca cannot score early, they will have to withstand the early onslaught that is sure to come.  Barcelona will on occasion have to just go for goal.  Too often they could not crack Man Utd's 1/3 of the field and waited too long for that perfect pass.  When Henry came on with a nice strike in the 85th minute in the 1st leg it was actually the best chance all match.  Man Utd ended up sitting back because they knew Barca weren't going to strike from outside the box. They have to keep the defenders on their toes and their is no doubt all of Barca's attackers are capable of long strikes.

Key Players - The obvious choices are Ronaldo and Messi, but I don't expect either of them to disappoint.  I see  Tevez and Deco as more critical for either teams success.  If Tevez can replace the bulldog nature of Rooney, he could give Puyol and the back 4 trouble.  Barca seem to have trouble with players of that nature and only Puyol is capable of 1 on 1 tackles w/o fouling.  And as I have said over and over again, Deco is critical for Barca.  His work rate in the midfield helps Barcelona maintain possession and reduce Man Utd's counterattacks.  If we can get the same performance from Deco as in the 1st leg, I think we will have a great chance at stealing this match.  His doggedness is even more important away.

Key Absence It is hard to figure if Man Utd will miss Rooney or Vidic more.  Tevez is a capable replacement to Rooney with similar stlye.  Vidic has a settling effect on the Man Utd Defense.  But I will say I'm glad to see that Rooney is nowhere near the pitch!

For Barca, the most interesting (temporary) absence is Henry's start on the bench.  You figure his years of success at Old Tratford would have earned him a starting spot.  However, if Barca is down at the half, I see Henry coming in at the beginning of the 2nd half.

Prediction-An Amazing Match!

Official line-ups:

Manchester United:

HARGREAVES----FERDINAND---WES BROWN---EVRA
----------------CARRICK-------------SCHOLES---------
NANI------------------------------------------------PARK
-----------------RONALDO--------TEVEZ-----------------

Bench: Kuszack, Anderson, O'shea, Giggs, Fletcher, Silvestre, Welbeck

Rooney and Vidic are not on the bench*

FC Barcelona:

-------------------VALDES------------------
ZAMBROTTA----PUYOL----MILITO-----ABIDAL
-------------------TOURE--------------------
------------XAVI----------DECO-------------
MESSI-------------ETO'O-------------INIESTA

Bench: Pinto, Gudjohsnen, Henry, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Thuram, Bojan