Guardiola scripts dream end to debut season

His first season in charge could scarcely have gone better but Josep Guardiola is determined to finish it on the biggest possible high by guiding FC Barcelona to victory in the UEFA Champions League final.

Instant impact
The 38-year-old has ended a run of two seasons without a trophy at Camp Nou in spectacular fashion – a 4-1 win against Athletic Club Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on 13 May being followed, three days later, by confirmation of the Blaugrana's 19th league title. Success against Manchester United FC at the Stadio Olimpico would surpass all that, however, and make Barça the first Spanish treble winners. Coach Guardiola, though, is quick to play down his contribution. "I don't have a method; I have good players and that's the key to everything. I wouldn't be in Rome without them," he said. "The players are the team. I just try to correct things we don't do properly, keep the good things and eliminate the bad."

'Magnificent season'
Guardiola describes holders United as "the best team in the world", and admits his triumphant debut campaign at the helm of the senior side after only one year leading Barcelona's B team – his first coaching job – has surprised even the man himself. "I would never have imagined this at the start of the season. I wanted to do a good job but it's too much," he said. "To win the league and cup in my first year and now to fight to be the best team in Europe is magnificent. We've had plenty of time to prepare for this game and we're in the right frame of mind. We are here to win."

'Great team'
To do that, Barça must overcome a United side on a record-breaking 25-match unbeaten streak in the competition and fresh from lifting a third straight Premier League crown. "United are a great team and it's a pleasure and a privilege to play them," Guardiola went on. "I've heard it said they don't attack, they counterattack, but if we don't play well we can expect them to come at us from the off. They've won several league titles in the last few years because they defend very well and have Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo for the counterattack. We're missing some very important players so if we can't solve the problems with defenders, we will have to solve them with attackers and score goals."

'All or nothing'
That last point neatly encapsulates Guardiola's philosophy; the Barça boss is confident that, if his charges play to their capabilities, the European Champion Clubs' Cup will be destined for Catalonia for a third time. "In a final there's always an element of all or nothing," he said. "We've never been scared; from the first game of the season we have been courageous. You can be afraid to play and that is something we have to leave in the dressing room. That's the only thing I'm concerned about. We are a tremendous team and I wouldn't like to come away thinking we could have done it differently. I want my players to feel good, beautiful, like they're playing in front of the whole world. I want them to show we deserve to be here."