Source: Daily_Mail
Ronald Koeman on the Champions League final: Just one kick is all it takes
ShareWhen Barcelona walk out at Wembley today they will know this is the place where everything about the club changed. [LNB]There may be new stands, new seats but here in 1992 we beat Sampdoria 1-0 to win the club's first European Cup. It was very much the moment that shaped the Barcelona philosophy of today. [LNB] The future's bright: Ronald Koeman celebrates his winner in the 1992 final[LNB]My goal, the free-kick that went past Roberto Mancini in the Sampdoria wall, won the trophy and every year since on May 20, the day the final was played, I get calls to ask 'Do you remember that day?' [LNB]How could I forget? It was the beginning of big changes.[LNB] For so long Real Madrid had won everything but Johan Cruyff had been brought in to build Barcelona based on the Dutch ideals of Total Football which had been seen under Rinus Michels at Ajax and I was signed to guide things on the pitch. [LNB]People at the club were not confident. In their minds they still recalled six years earlier when they had lost on penalties to Steaua Bucharest in Seville. We could feel the weight of expectation, of what the city wanted. The pressure was high. [LNB]The players, though, had a belief. We had won the title playing fantastic football under Cruyff and Barca had beaten Sampdoria in the Cup-Winners' Cup in 1989. Before the game in the dressing room, Cruyff just said to us: 'Enjoy it and give everything you have.' [LNB]Enjoy? The word didn't seem to fit in that environment. [LNB] Confident: Koeman is backing Barca to beat United for the second time in three finals[LNB]Even though I was experienced I had nerves but we went out and won. It was incredible. With all the highs of my career it is still one of the best times of my life. [LNB]It was just crazy afterwards. We went back to Barcelona and there were one million people dancing out in the streets as we drove through the city. When we got back to the Nou Camp there was another 80,000. We partied for a week! [LNB]I go back as often as I can. I was there for the semi-final against Madrid and still I'm treated like one of the family wherever I go. It's a great feeling. That win at Wembley is part of the fabric of the city today. [LNB]The team are now more complete. You could say what Cruyff set out to do, almost a revolution, Pep Guardiola has added the finishing touches. [LNB]Pep was a young Catalan in that 1992 side and he has carried everything he was taught and moulded it into almost perfection. [LNB] Magic moment: Koeman (right) and his Barcelona team-mates, including Pep Guardiola (second left) lift the trophy in 1992[LNB]He was always a great student of the Ajax way. Cruyff asked me to look after Pep when I joined the club and we roomed together. He never stopped asking questions about tactics, training and we became good friends. I saw him more than my wife! Even today we talk at least once a week.[LNB]He has not changed. He was always level-headed, drove a VW Golf, no arrogance. I admire him very much. [LNB]His personality is reflected in the Barca dressing room. It is a strength, in fact. They have some of the best players in the world but there are no superstars. [LNB]They are a real team and they work for each other. They are a very fit side. If you watch the way they recover possession you can see why it is difficult to beat them. [LNB]They have great intensity from the front to the back. When I played I was an offensive type of defender and there was always a chance we would be caught out as I went forward. With this side it is easy to defend because it starts with Pedro and David Villa up front. [LNB]But over one game anything can happen. Manchester United are an attack-minded side but they are more solid this season. I have been impressed by Antonio Valencia and also Ryan Giggs, playing in the middle. I am not sure he can play there in this game, not because of the physical side as in a final the adrenaline pumps so strongly you can run until tomorrow. It is more down to Barca's midfield maybe being more tactically aware and in tune with each other.[LNB] Goal-den memory: Koeman fires in his winner against Sampdoria at Wembley[LNB] I will be intrigued as to how United handle Lionel Messi. That is the key. The rumour is that Park Ji-sung will man-mark him. Park may be willing but he is not a defender. [LNB]However they do it, I hope they don't resort to Real Madrid's tactics of the semi-final. I was not surprised but for me that was too defensive. When Real attacked they showed what they could do to Barcelona and maybe that has given Sir Alex Ferguson a bigger clue. Ferguson has always played attractive football.[LNB] I've known Edwin van der Sar since he was a young man at Ajax. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, a great man and this is a great way to end your career but, knowing Edwin, the only great way to end your career is by winning. [LNB]I'll be there watching, commentating for Dutch TV, and I'm sure the memories will come back. My verdict? My heart and head say Barca but, hey, anything can happen - it may only take a free-kick.[LNB]Ronald Koeman was talking to Simon Jones [LNB] Jamie Carragher: It's time for Wayne Rooney to join the legendsJamie Redknapp: Is a Wembley win beyond Fergie?Barcelona v Manchester United is the perfect contest... now can they deliver?Revealed: The secrets of the Barca ambush - how they beat Sir Alex in 2009 Champions League finalBarcelona v Manchester United - your complete guide to the Wembley line-upsAbidal reveals joy at beating cancer as Barca prepare for showdown with United[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, David Villa, Ryan Giggs, Johan Cruyff, Simon Jones, Park Ji-sung, Roberto Mancini, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar, Lionel Messi, Ronald Koeman Places: Madrid, Barcelona
