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Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola celebrates with Lionel Messi after the final whistle of the Champions League final - Source: Reuters -
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Barcelona winning the Champions League has been a perfect end to an exhilarating campaign.
After watching Barcelona fail to deal with Chelsea's fierce and physical tactics over two legs in the semi-finals of the tournament, I have to admit I was wary of how the Spaniards would deal with a formidable Manchester United in Rome.
With the loss of two of Barcelona's key players, Alves and Abidal through injury, I even went so-far as to predict a heavy 3-1 defeat for the Catalans at the hands of Ferguson's 'Roman Emperors.'
But a sublime display, with their neat, fast-paced attacking football, and some of the best play in the world from Messi and Iniesta, I am more than happy to hold my hands up and admit I WAS WRONG!
Apart from the first 10 minutes of the match, in which United played at an extremely high-tempo, it was Barcelona who led the charge, running rings around the former Champions League champions.
It was quite odd to see Manchester United, usually so composed in these types of high-pressure clashes, acting like a team of strangers with stage fright.
Surprisingly for me, it was Ronaldo, not always the man to step-up in big games when it counts - who was pressing forward for United - while the rest of the side ran around the pitch as if they had no purpose or direction.
It is fair to say that Eto'o's early goal rocked them, and the halftime rollocking expected from Ferguson, and the rousing singing expected from the fans, never really came - reinforcing the majestic power of Barcelona - and just how they succeeded in making one of the biggest football teams in the world look small.
And while talk goes on about Sir Alex Ferguson being 'the best manager in the world' props most certainly have to be given to Barca's coach Pep Guardiola.
In just his first season in charge the 38-year-old has guided the club to their first La Liga title in three years, their first Copa del Ray title in 11-years and now, of course, the biggest prize in European football.
And while United's veteran's Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs still huff and puff on the pitch, just 14-years ago, Guardiola was running the same pitch as a Barcelona midfielder and this is something to behold.
So after a season of some of the best European football on offer in this year's Champions League - I can't think of a more deserving team, or manager to lift European football's most coveted prize.
Viva Barcelona!
Add a Comment:
Post new commentTigger said on 2009-05-29 @ 09:19 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Man U midfield seemed nonexistent.
RickyBeee said on 2009-05-28 @ 13:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
Weren't Man U just absolutely spineless and not even there?Worst performance i've ever seen by them. Three Euro Cup finals under Fergie, three performances ranging from poor to dire. They're (very) lucky they've won even one cup from those games let alone two.
RedLady said on 2009-05-28 @ 12:54 NZDT: Report abusive post
As a biased Liverpool fan, I'd just like to take this opportunity to say to all Manchester United fans....HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH!