FC Barcelona put on one of the greatest cup final performances in the history of the game at Wembley on Saturday night when they comfortably dispatched of Manchester United to secure a fourth European title. A one sided match that delivered moments of brilliant quality, almost all from the Catalan giants, all game, this was a Final that will live long in the memory as the night that Barcelona confirmed their legacy as one of the best teams in world football. The scary part is, if you don’t happen to support Barcelona, is that this is not even close to the end.
Over the years there have been a number of sides that have played fantastic football, but Barcelona stands alone for so many reasons. A brilliant combination of individual brilliance, superb team work and an incredible work ethic make this Barcelona a truly unique and potent force in football. The reality is that Barcelona played the second best team in club football at the moment, and that team, Manchester United, could not hold a candle to Pep’s outstanding legion of footballers that could yet dominate club football for years to come.
Sir Alex Ferguson kept true to his word and put out a largely attacking team. The plan was to peg Barcelona back in their own half, with a high energy, fast paced game, isolate Pique and Mascherano, use the space left behind by the fullbacks and try and find Wayne Rooney the space in between the midfielders and Hernandez to exert the influence that United would hope win the game. A brave plan, perhaps a naive plan as some have called it, but one that stayed true to the Manchester United ethos. Attempting to beat Barcelona on the tactics board is one thing, trying to execute that plan against the supreme passers of the football on the pitch is a totally different story. Barcelona are not a team you can beat with tactics, they are a team that demand you play at your absolute best, whilst also in the hope that they themselves conspire against themselves.
This night, was not one of those nights. United opened strongly, pinning the ball deep in Barcelona’s half. Alves’ passing percentages were poor under pressure, Javier Mascherano looked shaky, and it seemed United sensed blood in the water. They failed to create a clear chance and slowly, Barcelona began to slow the tempo down, as dictated by the outstanding duo of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and thus began a patter than would last almost the entire game.
Barcelona knocked the ball around with ease, patiently picking their opportunities. Pedro really should have scored at the near post when Xavi played in a cheeky short cross, and Villa came equally as close with a shot from just outside the box, but United held strong. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic proved true to form, and looked tough to beat, but as Barcelona always do, they found a way through, and they got their deserved first when Xavi was presented with far too much space. With a quick flick of the outside of his boot, he found Pedro, who finished clinically past the retiring Edwin Van der Sar.
United would not roll over as they did two years ago, however, and replied shortly after with a superb goal carved out from a series of one-two’s between Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick and secondly Ryan Giggs, before the Englishman found the top corner with a superb finish. The celebrations said it all. There was a massive sigh of relief, as Manchester United went into the half time break level, but there was no doubting that winning this game would take an epic effort. United have not been tested so thoroughly since Rome, and whilst they managed to go into the break on level terms, they were about to find out just how far ahead of the pack this Barcelona side really are.
Barcelona were relentless from the second they kicked off. Barcelona’s patient passing game found holes time and time again in the United midfield as Ryan Giggs, who for once actually looked his age, struggled to keep up with the movement of Barcelona’s inspired midfield axis, whilst Messi dazed all around him with a number of mazy runs. He struggled to break through the box, with Ferdinand and Vidic foiling his brilliance on a number of occasions. The brilliant Argentine soon circumvented such problems rather simply; he started shooting from outside the box. He got his just rewards nine minutes into the half with a fantastic drive that beat Edwin Van der Sar and put Barcelona in the position their domination so richly deserved.
Manchester United struggled valiantly, and tried to take the initiative once again, but Barcelona showcased one of their most underrated attributes with tremendous work rate and pressure off the ball and never let United settle for a second. It was a demonstration of the sort of hunger that makes this Barcelona side so special, and ensured that Manchester United never looked capable of taking another goal out of the game. Back in firm control, Barcelona continued to dominate proceedings and United had to rely on their back four and the ever brilliant Van der Sar to keep them in the game mathematically, before David Villa ended any hopes United may have still be harbouring when he despatched the most impeccable of finishes in the 69th minute with a curling effort that left the flying Dutchman grasping at thin air.
It could still have been more, as Manchester United tried in vain to get themselves back in the game, but it was not to be. Carlos Puyol came off the bench to don the captain’s armband to rapturous applause from the Barcelona fans, whilst United’s inclusion of Paul Scholes and then Nani had little effect. Viktor Kassai was greeted with relief from United and Sir Alex, on a disappointing night, and uncontrolled elation from Barcelona and manager Pep Guardiola, who demonstrated great class in greeting the United players and staff with a guard of honour as they reluctantly, accepted their runners up medals.
For Manchester United, this was a night that delivered a better performance than two seasons prior, but one that ended in defeat once again. Sir Alex Ferguson had no qualms calling this Barcelona side the best he had ever faced in his time at the club, and vowed that United would return next season. After conquering England for a record 19th time, there is no doubting where Sir Alex’s greatest challenge now lies, and he will have his work cut out if he hopes to cement the legacy in Europe his reign has deserved. A third final in four years is a fantastic achievement, but that will be of little consolation to himself, the players and the fans after losing once again to this imperious Barcelona outfit.
A special mention must go to Edwin Van der Sar, who saw out his last game as a professional footballer in a disappointing 90 minutes, but one who will be remembered for his outstanding career that saw him claim eight league titles, two European Cups, and a host of other cup medals and individual awards. He made a total of 819 career appearances, and will be sorely missed by Manchester United and their fans.
For Pep Guardiola and Barcelona, this is another majestic demonstration of their domination of the club football scene. Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta all lived up to the massive expectations once again in a massive cup final, leaving no doubt as to who the deserving champions of Europe really are. A third Champions League title in five years is a remarkable achievement and one that is befitting of such an epic team. A side that remains hungry in spite of all it has won, you can have no doubts that this side will be there or thereabouts next season, as they look to accomplish what they couldn’t last year, by winning consecutive European titles. The big question is who will stop them?
Ratings: Van der Sar 6; Fabio 6, Vidic 7, Ferdinand 7, Evra 5; Valencia 4, Giggs 5, Carrick 6, Park 6, *Rooney 8, Hernandez 5
Over the years there have been a number of sides that have played fantastic football, but Barcelona stands alone for so many reasons. A brilliant combination of individual brilliance, superb team work and an incredible work ethic make this Barcelona a truly unique and potent force in football. The reality is that Barcelona played the second best team in club football at the moment, and that team, Manchester United, could not hold a candle to Pep’s outstanding legion of footballers that could yet dominate club football for years to come.
Sir Alex Ferguson kept true to his word and put out a largely attacking team. The plan was to peg Barcelona back in their own half, with a high energy, fast paced game, isolate Pique and Mascherano, use the space left behind by the fullbacks and try and find Wayne Rooney the space in between the midfielders and Hernandez to exert the influence that United would hope win the game. A brave plan, perhaps a naive plan as some have called it, but one that stayed true to the Manchester United ethos. Attempting to beat Barcelona on the tactics board is one thing, trying to execute that plan against the supreme passers of the football on the pitch is a totally different story. Barcelona are not a team you can beat with tactics, they are a team that demand you play at your absolute best, whilst also in the hope that they themselves conspire against themselves.
This night, was not one of those nights. United opened strongly, pinning the ball deep in Barcelona’s half. Alves’ passing percentages were poor under pressure, Javier Mascherano looked shaky, and it seemed United sensed blood in the water. They failed to create a clear chance and slowly, Barcelona began to slow the tempo down, as dictated by the outstanding duo of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and thus began a patter than would last almost the entire game.
Barcelona knocked the ball around with ease, patiently picking their opportunities. Pedro really should have scored at the near post when Xavi played in a cheeky short cross, and Villa came equally as close with a shot from just outside the box, but United held strong. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic proved true to form, and looked tough to beat, but as Barcelona always do, they found a way through, and they got their deserved first when Xavi was presented with far too much space. With a quick flick of the outside of his boot, he found Pedro, who finished clinically past the retiring Edwin Van der Sar.
United would not roll over as they did two years ago, however, and replied shortly after with a superb goal carved out from a series of one-two’s between Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick and secondly Ryan Giggs, before the Englishman found the top corner with a superb finish. The celebrations said it all. There was a massive sigh of relief, as Manchester United went into the half time break level, but there was no doubting that winning this game would take an epic effort. United have not been tested so thoroughly since Rome, and whilst they managed to go into the break on level terms, they were about to find out just how far ahead of the pack this Barcelona side really are.
Manchester United struggled valiantly, and tried to take the initiative once again, but Barcelona showcased one of their most underrated attributes with tremendous work rate and pressure off the ball and never let United settle for a second. It was a demonstration of the sort of hunger that makes this Barcelona side so special, and ensured that Manchester United never looked capable of taking another goal out of the game. Back in firm control, Barcelona continued to dominate proceedings and United had to rely on their back four and the ever brilliant Van der Sar to keep them in the game mathematically, before David Villa ended any hopes United may have still be harbouring when he despatched the most impeccable of finishes in the 69th minute with a curling effort that left the flying Dutchman grasping at thin air.
It could still have been more, as Manchester United tried in vain to get themselves back in the game, but it was not to be. Carlos Puyol came off the bench to don the captain’s armband to rapturous applause from the Barcelona fans, whilst United’s inclusion of Paul Scholes and then Nani had little effect. Viktor Kassai was greeted with relief from United and Sir Alex, on a disappointing night, and uncontrolled elation from Barcelona and manager Pep Guardiola, who demonstrated great class in greeting the United players and staff with a guard of honour as they reluctantly, accepted their runners up medals.
For Manchester United, this was a night that delivered a better performance than two seasons prior, but one that ended in defeat once again. Sir Alex Ferguson had no qualms calling this Barcelona side the best he had ever faced in his time at the club, and vowed that United would return next season. After conquering England for a record 19th time, there is no doubting where Sir Alex’s greatest challenge now lies, and he will have his work cut out if he hopes to cement the legacy in Europe his reign has deserved. A third final in four years is a fantastic achievement, but that will be of little consolation to himself, the players and the fans after losing once again to this imperious Barcelona outfit.
A special mention must go to Edwin Van der Sar, who saw out his last game as a professional footballer in a disappointing 90 minutes, but one who will be remembered for his outstanding career that saw him claim eight league titles, two European Cups, and a host of other cup medals and individual awards. He made a total of 819 career appearances, and will be sorely missed by Manchester United and their fans.
For Pep Guardiola and Barcelona, this is another majestic demonstration of their domination of the club football scene. Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta all lived up to the massive expectations once again in a massive cup final, leaving no doubt as to who the deserving champions of Europe really are. A third Champions League title in five years is a remarkable achievement and one that is befitting of such an epic team. A side that remains hungry in spite of all it has won, you can have no doubts that this side will be there or thereabouts next season, as they look to accomplish what they couldn’t last year, by winning consecutive European titles. The big question is who will stop them?
Ratings: Van der Sar 6; Fabio 6, Vidic 7, Ferdinand 7, Evra 5; Valencia 4, Giggs 5, Carrick 6, Park 6, *Rooney 8, Hernandez 5
No comments:
Post a Comment