Busacca relishes chance to referee final

Swiss referee Massimo Busacca has been given the honour of taking charge of tonight's UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC, and the 40-year-old cannot wait to get going. Busacca – who has refereed both these sides in the past, including the first leg of last season's semi-final – talked uefa.com through his preparations for the game.

uefa.com: How does it feel a few hours ahead of a game like this?

Massimo Busacca: Very emotional. Since I arrived I have had the chance to get a feel for the Stadio Olimpico. It's incredible, it's like a dream. It will be incredible when it comes true because refereeing a Champions League final between Barcelona and United is really as good as it gets.

uefa.com: On Tuesday you trained on the stadium pitch. Do you always prepare like that?

Busacca: I have not changed anything from my normal routine in the approach to the game. If I have reached this level today, it's because I have done well in the past. Changing what has been my usual preparation would be excessive. Yesterday I had a small training session in the stadium to breathe the air, see the pitch, trying out my boots. It's something very important ahead of every game.

uefa.com: How useful is it to have already refereed these sides in the past?

Busacca: If I close my eyes I can see how the two teams play. They like to play good football, keeping possession. I will have to focus on not just following the ball, but on trying to anticipate a sudden pass in a crucial area of the pitch so that I will be ready to judge a difficult situation.

uefa.com: Will your family be at the stadium?

Busacca: Family is crucial if you want to reach a certain level. A referee must make many sacrifices and a good family situation is crucial. I'm really proud and happy that they will be at the stadium to watch this great match tonight.

uefa.com: When you were the fourth official in the final in Glasgow in 2003, were you dreaming of refereeing a final yourself?

Busacca: I don't think so. I was not as ambitious as I am today. I used to live day by day without planning so much. I was taking this job seriously, but now I know that if you want to reach a certain level you have to put an important goal in front of you. On that occasion I was still learning from great referees, but now it's different, you need ambitious objectives because the competition is fierce.

uefa.com: What is the difference between referring top names like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi and players from lower divisions?

Busacca: On the pitch you have to respect every player. Obviously they play spectacular football, so we need to protect players like that. However, whenever I blow the whistle for me it's 'Team A' against 'Team B', 'Player A' against 'Player B'. I respect and try to be respected by everybody without considering their names.

uefa.com: What is your wish ahead of the final?

Busacca: I hope it will be a great game and that football will win because millions of people will watch a great game with great respect among players and between players and referees. We have the chance to send an important message to everybody watching this game.