File:Cl2009 logo.png | |||||||
Event | UEFA Champions League 2008–09 | ||||||
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Date | 27 May 2009 | ||||||
Venue | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | ||||||
The 2009 UEFA Champions League Final will be the 54th final of the UEFA Champions League football tournament and the 17th final under the current format. The final will be played at the 72,698-capacity Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the home of Roma and Lazio, on 27 May 2009,[1] for the fourth time following 1977, 1984 and 1996.[2]
The match will be contested by holders Manchester United and either Barcelona or Chelsea. This will be the fifth year in a row in which the final involves at least one English team. Manchester United are the first defending champions to reach the final since Juventus in 1997, and will be looking to be the first team to retain the European Cup since Milan in 1990.
Match
Team news
Following John O'Shea's winning goal in Manchester United's semi-final first leg victory over Arsenal, United manager Alex Ferguson suggested that the Irish utility player would be guaranteed a place in the starting line-up were United to reach the final.[3] Meanwhile, midfielder Darren Fletcher will be forced to miss the final after picking up a red card in the second leg of the semi-final. Although replays suggested that Fletcher played the ball before felling Cesc Fàbregas in the penalty area, the UEFA appeals process only allows for cards to be rescinded in the case of mistaken identity.[4] Also unavailable will be United's starting right-winger from the 2008 final, Owen Hargreaves. The midfielder underwent double knee surgery to cure a tendinitis problem earlier in the season and will be unavailable for selection until the start of the 2009–10 season.[5]
Match details
Winners of semi-final 2 ![]() | v | ![]() |
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See also
References
- ^ "2008/09 Access list". uefa.com. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Champions League Final - Rome, Italy". sntv.com. 2008-05-27. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ Bostock, Adam (29 April 2009). "O'Shea savours birthday gift". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. p. 2. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "Fletcher red card to stand - Uefa". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
- ^ Bernstein, Joe (18 January 2009). "United's Hargreaves undergoes second knee operation to save career". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 14 February 2009.