FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.03.2007 00:00

Zambrotta plays in EU tribute

Gianluca Zambrotta represented FC Barcelona at Old Trafford as part of a European XI that faced Manchester United to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rome treaty.

Zambrotta played at right back in a side that included several familiar faces to Barcelona fans. For the Europeans there was Valencia's Santiago Cañizares in goal, and the side was captained by Swede and ex-Barça man Henrik Larsson, who is leaving Old Trafford after three months on loan from Helsinborg.

Memories of Camp Nou final

In the build up to the game, Ole Gunar Solsksjaer came onto the pitch with the European Cup that the club won in the 1999 final played in Barcelona. Another of the stars of that game, David Beckham, watched the game from the stands and made an emotional speech just before kick off. As for the game itself, the stars put on a terrific show in a game that ended 4-3 to the home side, managed as ever by Alex Fergusson while Lippi took the reins of the European select side.

Major absences

Unfortunately, however, several of the big names in the Europe XI eventually failed to show. These included goalkeepers Oliver Kahn and Iker Casillas, Italian defenders Maldini and Grosso, Portugal's Miguel, Brazilians Juninho and Ronaldo, and Barça players Liliam Thuram, Carles Puyol and Ronaldinho. None of the three aforementioned Barcelona players were there because it was considered more appropriate for them to continue their treatment following minor injury concerns sustained on Saturday against Real Madrid.