Over the last two weeks Sir Alex Ferguson has watched a rerun of the 2009 Champions League final five or six times. Manchester United began the stronger in Rome but after Samuel Eto'o gave Barcelona the lead in the 10th minute, the Reds lost their impetus, rhythm and thrust.
Ferguson will have forensically examined what went wrong to ensure there is no repeat when the teams meet again in the final at Wembley on Saturday. Two years ago United, unusually, did not do itself justice and a far more evenly contested final can be expected this time.
The key, as ever, is how to stop Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi from weaving their magic spell. It is an almost impossible task, as is beating Barcelona whose record of conceding just 21 goals in winning the Primera Liga is proof that its underrated defense is as effective as its much lauded attack.