Champions League final: the build up in pictures

Shadows envelop the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico, where Manchester United and Barcelona will clash in tonight's final Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Thumbs up, for now at least, from a Barça fan arriving at the stadium ahead of the match Photograph: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images

Manchester United fans sporting plastic Roman Centurion helmets, on their way to the Stadio Olimpico Photograph: Reuters

A wide-eyed Barcelona fan is pictured in downtown Rome Photograph: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images

Ardent supporters of the Catalan club parade around Rome with a banner Photograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images

Jubilant United fans are happy to be on the way to Rome as they leave Leonardo Da Vinci airport and head into the city centre Photograph: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Manchester United fan Owen McEwan, from Failsworth, Manchester waits at a bus stop near the stadium Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA

Barcelona fans take over the Trevi Fountain and act out their dreams with a Champions League trophy made of cardboard and silver foil Photograph: Ettore Ferrari/EPA

Barcelona fans gather at the Colosseum Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Italian and British police officers pose next to a statue of Julius Caesar in downtown Rome. While many fans peacefully flooded the cobblestone streets of Rome, scattered episodes of violence were reported in and outside the Italian capital Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/AP

Hopefully it's the pipes of peace that these Barcelona fans are playing at the Piazza Di Spagna Photograph: Cristiano Laruffa/Rex Features

Can you guess which team this fan supports? Photograph: Reuters

Barcelona and Manchester United fans crowd Rome's Spanish Steps Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/AP

Manchester United fans hold a poster with a message for the Queen Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/AP

Pope Benedict XVI shakes hand with Swiss referee Massimo Busacca, who will referee tonight's Champions League final Photograph: Pool/Reuters

Red Army fans show their allegiance in Saint Peter's Square Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Only two nights ago the Colosseum was treated to the exquisite voice of tenor Andrea Bocelli. Now the walls resonate with the singing of United fans, which whilst not as tuneful is full of passion Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images