Dream final not just about all-out attack

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - Alex Ferguson's "dream final" in Wednesday's Champions League showdown (7:45 p.m.) could be a nightmare for Barcelona if Manchester United smother the Spaniards and seal victory on the counter-attack.

It is hardly the scenario the neutrals are hoping for but Ferguson knows the best chance of United becoming the first team to retain the title in the Champions League era is to frustrate his free-scoring opponents at every turn.

They did it a year ago, shutting out Barcelona twice in a 1-0 aggregate semi-final victory, and would have taken heart from the way Chelsea kept them at bay for more than 120 minutes in the semis before Andres Iniesta's stoppage-time strike.

Ferguson admires Barcelona's approach and has shown his own commitment to exciting football by regularly starting with Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov as an attacking trio.

However, the vastly experienced Scot knows that great teams are built from the back and the key to unlocking your own weapons is to neutralise the opponents.

"They get you on that carousel and can leave you dizzy," he said of Barcelona's mesmerising passing game.

"Your concentration levels can't be allowed to falter for a second. But, with the right tactics, their game is containable."

United's defence has been magnificent this season and, assuming Rio Ferdinand is fit to line up in the middle alongside Nemanja Vidic, it should be at full strength.