 This was only the third time that two clubs from the same country had contested the final; the others being the 2000 and 2003 finals.It was the first European Cup final played in Russia, and hence the easternmost final in the tournament's history.It also marked the 100th anniversary of Manchester United's first league triumph, the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, and the 40th anniversary of United's first European Cup triumph in 1968.