The city of Rome; drama, intrigue, twists and turns; two philosophies colliding; a galaxy of stars. Not the film version of Angels and Demons, but the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona.

Rome blockbuster
The adaptation of Dan Brown's novel has already taken more than €135m at the worldwide box office but the summer's main sporting blockbuster will take place at the Stadio Olimpico – although the story promises to be just as intricate as United seek to become the first side in almost two decades to defend the European Champion Clubs' Cup and Barça attempt to become Spain's first treble winners. The mysterious Illuminati and the primordial elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water are at the heart of Brown's 2000 book but it is a not-so-secret society and their own unique talents who are likely to decide the destiny of the 54th European Cup final; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Samuel Eto'o, Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry and more will all be hoping to have their say.

Deep intrigue
There are more parallels with Brown's prequel to the 2003 phenomenon The Da Vinci Code. The American author is famed for his labyrinthine plots and similar intrigue has already begun in the Italian capital; Nemanja Vidić (hamstring) and Ronaldo (ankle) suffered injury scares in United's final training session on Tuesday, while there have been stories in the British press that a new pair of boots destined for Rooney have been stolen en route to Rome, forcing the England international to use an old pair instead. In contrast, with Henry and Andrés Iniesta both expected to be fit, Barça's build-up has been relatively serene and they might like to note the last time a film version of a Brown book hit the big screens was in May 2006, when the Paris-based Da Vinci Code swept the box office. That was the year the Catalan club claimed their second European crown with victory against English opponents Arsenal FC – in Paris. An omen for tonight?