This final promised to be an epic battle between the two most powerful teams Europe had to offer, it was anything but. Twenty-two men walked onto that beautiful pitch in Rome and only eleven could walk off holding their heads high. Beautiful football prevailed today; the silky smooth passing, controlled possession, patient build-up, the stuff only Barcelona can produce. The might of Manchester United was tried, tested and comprehensively beaten on this historical day, and they won’t soon forget the harsh lesson learnt from the hands of the genius of this Spanish outfit.
‘Favourites’ is a word that I am sure will be more carefully used in the future. Manchester United were billed as the top seed coming into this final, however, excluding the first ten minutes of Ronaldo trying to write his name in the history books, Manchester United looked a shadow of themselves. This United team imploded after they conceded the first goal to Samuel Eto’o, a trait that is not normally associated with the English giants. “The better team won tonight”, a statement that compounded the disappointment of Sir Alex as he accepted defeat on this European night, and the simplicity of those words were a perfect representation of the events that transpired.
To sum it up in one word, Barcelona was magnificent. The factor that made this night so strange was the ease, and relative comfort through which the Catalans saw off United’s feeble challenge. Some defining moments could be Puyol and Pique marshalling the back line, or Xavi and Iniesta strolling through midfield, how about the silky, yet robust Lionel Messi often taking a relatively unchallenged saunter into United’s last third, teasing their defenders before turning back and keeping the ball for another ten minutes, sad I know! Barcelona was professional in their execution, ruthless with their opportunities, and most importantly effective in their expression of beautiful football.
Who was it that said this game called football was a battlefield of fine lines and only the brave dare cross, oh right, that was me. This was proven once again. Only one team turned up to the races, only one team showed that drive and desire that is required to call yourselves the best in the world. Barcelona’s command of the game was evident from the second the first goal pierced the heart of United, confidence surged through the team, their love for the game expressed in their uncanny ability to manipulate play to their liking, while never allowing strategy or tactic to dictate the way they expressed themselves. Any football lover has to take their hat off to this Barcelona team for their unwavering commitment to attacking football, defining the very nature of why we love this game, ‘joga bonito’ - play beautiful.
Written By: Joel Ramsay
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