Security in Rome is ''under control'' ahead of Wednesday's Barcelona-Manchester United Champions League sell-out final, UEFA President Michel Platini said Tuesday.
''We're ready, we've done everything possible and we're not worried about safety,'' Platini said.
''It's all under control, the Olympic Stadium looks great and there's nothing left for us to do except pray''.
With both teams already in Rome, English and Spanish fans have also been arriving in the capital ahead of the match.
Rome city council said it expected 50,000 fans - 30,000 English and 20,000 Spanish - by Wednesday evening on over 150 charter flights as well as train and ship.
From Tuesday afternoon the council introduced a total ban on the sale of alcohol around the 67,000-seater stadium and in Rome's historic centre that will not be lifted until 6 AM on Thursday morning in a bid to keep fans' behaviour under control.
Before the ban kicked in, English fans were reported to have been drinking beer ''since late morning'' by bar owners around the stadium and the Fergiefields camp site in Rome's northern suburbs where many Red Devil supporters are staying.
The bar owners criticised the alcohol ban, saying it was ''useless'' and that it ''just harms our business''.
''The fans who want to drink will drink anyway,'' they said.
TICKET TOUTS ASKING UP TO 3,000 EUROS.
Many ticketless Spanish and English fans were meanwhile wandering around the stadium in 32 degree heat wearing signs around their necks reading 'I need a ticket for the Champions League', with illegal touts asking up to 3,000 euros for a seat at the sell-out stadium.
''It's impossible to find tickets,'' said a Man U fan, ''We've been here since this morning but those we have found cost too much - it's an insane amount. We'd rather watch the match in a pub''.
An Italian fan said he had come to look for tickets but decided against buying any.
''I'm worried it's a scam and I'll be sold a false ticket,'' he said.
A signpost attached to the nearby Duca d'Aosta bridge invited ticketless fans to call a telephone number, at the end of which an English voice offers tickets for 3,000 euros, while other touts were offering tickets for seats at the corners of the stadium for 1,500 euros.
Police on Tuesday arrested two foreigners - an Israeli and another man of unknown origin - for ticket touting in a joint operation with British police and UEFA to prevent ticket scams.
Spanish sports paper Marca said Spanish Prime Minister Jose' Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will join King Juan Carlos of Spain at the stadium Wednesday.
Italian Cabinet Undersecretary Paolo Bonaiuti said Premier Silvio Berlusconi would also attend.
''It'll be a great match even if there's a bit of regret given that the final's being held in Rome - it would have been nice to support an Italian team,'' Bonaiuti said.
UEFA President Platini, who will present the captain of the victorious team with the Champions cup Wednesday night, meanwhile refused to be drawn on predicting a winner.
''Football is unpredictable, and Barcelona and Manchester are both very strong teams. It will certainly be a very exciting match''.
