Ferguson and Guardiola relaxed ahead of date with destiny

By George Burns May 26, 2009, 20:16 GMT

Rome - Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola certainly seem to be enjoying the build-up to one of the most eagerly anticipated Champions League finals in years.

United boss Ferguson was so relaxed he could afford to comment on Cristiano Ronaldo's less than impressive English in the presence of the World Footballer of the Year at his side's final press conference ahead of Wednesday's final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

However, Ronaldo's English was certainly good enough for the Portuguese star to make abundantly clear that he felt United were superior to Barca, but even this failed to raise the hackles of a serenely calm Guardiola when the point was raised at his subsequent meeting with the media.

Instead, the 38-year-old replied by showering his opponents with praise and Guardiola wasn't perturbed either when it was pointed out that while he was preparing for only his 13th Champions League game as a coach, his 67-year-old counterpart was building up to his 153rd match.

'He has more experience than me, no doubt about it,' he said.

'I don't know if that will have an impact on the game. I've seen United play many times and I know how we will play against them, I will try remain calm and give them good advice at half-time.'

Ferguson, for his part, made little of the difference in experience, saying only that it was better to have it than not.

'The plus side is that Pep is at a club that has a great history in European football,' he added.

And football was definitely utmost in Guardiola's mind when he called on UEFA to ensure that the pitch was well watered ahead of the game in order to facilitate a fast, free-flowing game.

'This would favour football, it should be obligatory to have a wet pitch,' said Guardiola.

'We mustn't forget that we are playing for people and I hope that the organizers are listening.'

Ferguson also highlighted to possibility of the clash being a classic, saying it had the capability of being a 'fantastic' final.

'It's a young team that can do well over the next few years and I hope tomorrow we can endorse that,' he said. 'We are expecting our team to play to their capabilities.'

United are looking to become the first team to successfully defend a Champions League crown and the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to win back-to-back European titles.

'We are good at doing things for the first time,' said Ferguson.

'It is an opportunity to get that victory that would put us alongside the great teams of Europe.'

When asked how he would motivate his players at half-time to ensure they were in the right frame of mind, Ferguson said he hoped the words would come to him in the middle of the night as they normally do.

'When i try to get some deep inspiration from the tiny chamber of my brain,' he joked.