The 2008-09 UEFA Champions League Final features the matchup everyone wanted to see:

Futbol Club Barcelona (ESP) vs. Manchester United Football Club (ENG)

After months of matches and controversy the Champions League final has arrived. Its Spain vs. England, La Liga vs. Premiership, and Champion vs. Champion. Stadio Olimpico in Roma, Italy will be host to the most anticipated UCL Final in a long time. Let's breakdown the game with its key components that should make this match compelling.

Goalkeepers:
Barcelona's Victor Valdes is a much better athlete that Man U's Edwin Van Der Sar, however the Barca stopper is prone to mindless errors and with a depleted and makeshift backline Valdes will have to be flawless. Van Der Sar is solid but not spectacular while Valdes has made some massive saves this season.
Edge: Futbol Club Barcelona

Defensive Backline:
Manchester United's backline has been solid but they were exposed a bit by Porto's attack in the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in 1st leg of their quarterfinal tie. However Man U's likely backline of Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, and O'Shea is more reliable than the makeshift backline that Pep Guardiola will have to put together for the final due to the absence of Eric Abidal & Dani Alves.
Edge: Manchester United Football Club

Midfield:
Manchester United has little midfield shuffling to do compared to Barcelona. The Blaugrana will probably start Sergi Busquets in the middle with Xavi & Andres Iniesta in their normal spots. Sergi's presence in that spot is due to the possibility of regular midfielders Seydou Keita & Yaya Toure playing in Barca's backline. Man U will be without Darren Fletcher for the final but his absence could mean that Ryan Giggs could possibly be in the starting 11. If that's the case its a huge boost for The Red Devils.
Edge: Manchester United Football Club

Attack:
Barcelona has the best attack in the world. The trio of Messi, Eto'o, Henry with the sharp passing & play of Barcelona MVP Andres Iniesta is the most devastating the footballing world has seen in a long time. Cristiano Ronaldo, Tevez, and Rooney are excellent but they don't scare defenses to the level that Barca's does. Man U's backline has not seen an attack like Barca's all season.
Edge: Futbol Club Barcelona

Coaching:
Sir Alex Ferguson vs. Josep Guardiola. Old vs. New. SAF has been a manager for 35 years, JG for 1. This is Sir Alex's 3rd UCL Final and this is Guardiola's 1st. So you think that Man U's iconic coach would have a massive edge but Guardiola has proven to be brilliant this season. The Catalan coach has managed to put his team in a position for a never been done treble for a Spanish club despite injuries and pressure. The coaching chess match is one of the great storylines of this final but Sir Alex is an all-time great and you can never discount an all-time great.
Edge: Manchester United Football Club

History:
Manchester United and Barcelona have faced each other nine times in European competitions: three times in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and six times in the Champions League. Of those nine matches, Manchester United have three wins to Barcelona's two, with four matches ending in draws. Manchester United are 3-0 in European Champions Clubs' Cup/Champions League Finals while Barcelona is 2-3 in Finals of the same competition.
Edge: Manchester United Football Club

Prediction:
3 is the magic number. If both sides score more than 3 goals advantage Barca, if both sides score less than 3 goals advantage Man U. Barcelona's style of play is to dominate possession add that to their speed advantage in attack and Man U's backline will be in for a rough night. Man U's midfield will have to defend more than they have had to all season so The Red Devils will have to be precise on the counter. All indications from both sides are that they will both press and go after goal and that favors Blaugrana.
Futbol Club Barcelona 3 - 2 Manchester United Football Club

Probable Lineups:
Barcelona (4-3-3) - DT: Josep Guardiola
GK: Victor Valdes
Defense: LB - Seydou Keita, CB - Pique, Yaya Toure, RB - Puyol
Midfield: RCM - Xavi, CM - Sergi Busquets, LCM - Iniesta
Attack: RS - Messi, ST - Eto'o, LS - Henry

Manchester United (4-4-2) - DT: Alex Ferguson
GK: Van Der Sar
Defense: RB - Evra, CB - Vidic, Ferdinand, LB - O'Shea
Midfield: RM - Park, CM - Carrick, Anderson, LM - Giggs
Forwards: RF - C. Ronaldo, LF - Rooney