MATCH REPORT by MVP

Eto'o 1-0   Messi 2-0

Barcelona win their 3rd Champions League title as Manchester United are left frustrated.

Rome, the Eternal City hosted the 2009 Champions League final at the Stadio Olimpico. Coming into this match, Manchester were the favorites as Barcelona was struggling with injuries and suspended players. As the match began fans would see which team would come out first and eventually dominate the game. With both teams evenually matched up, it would be the Spanish side that would strike first. Barcelona's defender Pique blocked a United Shot that looked to give the Red Devils the lead. After that Barca's offense took charge as midfielder Iniesta slipped a pass to striker Samuel Eto'o and thus was able to shoot it past United kepper Van Der Starr putting Barcelona up 1-0. The Cameroon striker was able to accomplish this due to the poor defense of Vidic and Carrick. While Manchester were left in a daze, Barcelona attacks kept on coming as Iniesta, Xavi provided shots all around. Shortly after Eto'o's goal, Messi missed a 16 yard shot that would have put the Spanish club up 2-0. With all of the momentum shifted toward Barcelona, Manchester were left defending shots throughout the rest of the 1st half. Going into halftime, Manchester strikers Ronaldo, Rooney were hardly a presense at all. Tevez and Berbatov were not shining as well for the Red Devils.

As the second began to start many were not suprised to see Manchester make a change in their attacking force. With Eto's being the star in the 1st half, United were looking for some magic from Anderson who took over for Tevez. But there was little progress as Barcelona continued to show off their striking talent. Xavi found an open Henry to try and open up the game, and Henry was able to cut past Ferdinand, but was not able to produce a goal. While Barcelona were putting on a show for the crowd, Manchester were trying to find some way, but their lackluster performance continued once again. Ronaldo and other United strikers had their chances in the 2nd half, but many were off target or found themselves far from the goal post. Everything was still going strong for Barcelona as Xavi almost made the game 2-0 when his free kick hit the post and caused keeper Van der Starr to put his all in. As for the stories of the keepers, Barcelona's Victor Valdes had an easier time compared to his counter part who was watching shots come to him at every angle. Xavi would get some recognition later when he curled the ball towards striker Lionel Messi who headed the ball over Van der Starr and put Barcelona up 2-0. With time running out, all was gone for the defending champs Manchester as Ronaldo, Rooney, and many others were mentally out of the match. Even though Berbatov did his best to try and bring some life to the English side, all hopes fell flat, especially when Barcelona defender carlos Puyol was still shooting and giving Van der Starr a diffcult time in the closing minutes.

Pictures court. of Yahoo Sports and ESPN Soccernet

Match Facts:

• Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
• Attendance: 72,200
• Goals: S.Eto'o (10'), L.Messi (70')
• Cards (Yellow): Pique (16'), C.Ronaldo (78'), P.Scholes (80'), N.Vidic (90')