LIONEL MESSI reckons that Manchester United will risk humiliation if they opt to go toe to toe with Barcelona in the Champions League final.
The Barca superstar admits he is after revenge for last year's semi-final defeat by the eventual champions.
Back then, the Catalan giants had almost 70 per cent possession over the two legs. But they could not break down United's defensive wall and Paul Scholes' screamer put Alex Ferguson's men through.
Messi told SunSport: "I don't think Manchester will play like that again. They have players to play football and will be a bit more open.
"We're the best team in Europe in an open game and this will give us the advantage. If they come out to play it will be a beautiful game - and I hope it will benefit us.
"I remember last year's semi-final. They were two evenly-matched games, very tight. The tie was decided by the great goal they scored."
Back on May 2, Barcelona thumped Real Madrid 6-2 at the Bernabeu in La Liga's title sealer.For Messi, that game proved any team, however great, which attacks Barca does so at their peril.
In this season's dramatic Champions League semi-final against the Catalan giants, Chelsea spent practically 180 minutes camped inside their own half with Barcelona frantically trying to find a breakthrough.
Messi added: "The game in Madrid shows why Chelsea did what they did - sit back and try not to leave any spaces for us to play our football.
"For that reason, I say that for us it's an advantage when a team plays football and tries to match Barcelona as equals. Manchester can be that team with the players they have."
Seconds from the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, Messi's European dream looked dead - despite Chelsea having just 29 per cent of the possession in their own backyard. After the goalless first leg at the Nou Camp, Chelsea had stifled Barca once more and Michael Essien's piledriver had given them the lead.
Messi had all but been swallowed up by Jose Bosingwa in the first leg and by John Terry and Ashley Cole in the second.
Yet in the 93rd minute he slid a perfectly weighted pass to Andres Iniesta and the Spain star fired home a spectacular leveller that will forever haunt Chelsea's stars and their fans.
Messi admitted: "You can't describe it or explain it. At that moment, I thought we were done for and wouldn't score, wouldn't get to the final. But Andres scored that goal. Incredible."
He is convinced Chelsea paid the price for just sitting back and defending in both games.
MESSI ... warning
MESSI ... warning
Messi insisted: "The frustration of trying to attack for 180 minutes against a team that only defends is tremendous. But, thankfully, football gives you the chance of having that last shot in the very last instance, a last chance to score. And after having tried to play football, the fact we won in that way with that goal made it more beautiful."
Messi rates last year's semi-final defeat by United as the worst experience of his career.
He had just come back from a knee injury and could not help struggling Barcelona find the net.
This season the little Argentinian has banged in 37 goals and spearheaded Barca's glory charge.
Now, with the Rome final looming tonight, he and his team-mates are desperate to gain revenge on United and snatch their European crown.
They arrive in the Eternal City euphoric after completing their domestic Double and aim to make history by becoming the first Spanish team to do the Treble.
Messi said: "I was very frustrated and angry after last year's semi-final loss to United. I was so sad we couldn't make the final after coming so close.
"But the way we've turned things around this season gives us more desire and hunger to beat them this time. I'm very confident we'll win.
"We have a massive chance to be champions but also know in front of us we have a great team."
Many doubters claim Barca are softies who cannot handle the physical nature of English clubs.
Messi concluded with a huge grin: "We beat Arsenal in the final in Paris in 2006 and this year we beat Chelsea.
"We'll see after the final if those doubts are correct."
Source: The Sun (Antony Kastrinakis)
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