When the playoffs are finished, we'll announce our season awards. It has been a truly memorable season. Last nights Champions League final was a display of how to play proper football. Barcelona were truly awesome and played Manchester United off the park. It was truly a privilige to watch such a performance. Often finals have failed to spark, but last nights match was a classic. The statistics do not lie. Barca passed the ball around United for virtually the whole match. United had the first five minutes and Rooney scored a superb goal, but for the rest of the game, they were chasing shadows. How do you play against such a team? I suspect that Sir Alex Ferguson won't be the only manager having nightmares last night. I can't imagine that Jose Mourinho was too chuffed with what happened.
Sir Alex hasn't enjoyed his two visits to Wembley in 2011. United were 2nd best in both games. At the FA Cup Semi final, United started well and could have scored twice in the first 25 minutes, but then looked tired and jaded and ultimately couldn't cope with the physical power of a Manchester City team, who simply looked like they wanted it more. Last night, United again started well, but this lasted about five minutes. In the cold light of day, United have had a good season. They won the premiership, came runners up in the champions league and the Glaziers have undoubtedly banked a few hundred million more. The dilemma for the Glaziers is what next. Even if they gave Sir Alex £200 million, would they get anywhere near Barca any time soon? I doubt it. Fergie's last target, to overhaul Liverpool's total of five European Cups looks as elusive as ever.
Realistically, the only team who might have stopped Barca this season were Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid. After the Spanish cup final, I thought this was a realistic possibility. Fortunately in the battle between Football and Anti Football, Football won and Real got a well deserved spanking. At least United tried to play football, even though it did them no good whatsoever. If you are going to get a hiding, at least do it with dignity.
Perhaps the most ominous thing for the rest of football is that this Barca team look as if they are only just starting. There was talk the Guardiola may leave Barca. If he does, unless he wants to start a career outside football, he must be mad. Would anyone bet against Barca being the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era?
So what message does last nights match send to the rest of Football? Hopefully to play the game properly. Pass the ball to feet, play with your head up, keep moving and play the game in the right spirit. I can't remember a single occasion where the physio was on the pitch giving treatment following a bad tackle. Even more pleasing was the lack of hystrionics and rolling around on the floor. All of the goals came from open play, rather than well drilled set pieces. I just hope that some of the billionaires and oligarcs look at the match, look how Barca have evolved and realise that such a team cannot be built overnight. Last year was not Barca's year in the Champions League, but they stuck by Guardiola. Look what happened.
Sir Alex hasn't enjoyed his two visits to Wembley in 2011. United were 2nd best in both games. At the FA Cup Semi final, United started well and could have scored twice in the first 25 minutes, but then looked tired and jaded and ultimately couldn't cope with the physical power of a Manchester City team, who simply looked like they wanted it more. Last night, United again started well, but this lasted about five minutes. In the cold light of day, United have had a good season. They won the premiership, came runners up in the champions league and the Glaziers have undoubtedly banked a few hundred million more. The dilemma for the Glaziers is what next. Even if they gave Sir Alex £200 million, would they get anywhere near Barca any time soon? I doubt it. Fergie's last target, to overhaul Liverpool's total of five European Cups looks as elusive as ever.
Realistically, the only team who might have stopped Barca this season were Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid. After the Spanish cup final, I thought this was a realistic possibility. Fortunately in the battle between Football and Anti Football, Football won and Real got a well deserved spanking. At least United tried to play football, even though it did them no good whatsoever. If you are going to get a hiding, at least do it with dignity.
Perhaps the most ominous thing for the rest of football is that this Barca team look as if they are only just starting. There was talk the Guardiola may leave Barca. If he does, unless he wants to start a career outside football, he must be mad. Would anyone bet against Barca being the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era?
So what message does last nights match send to the rest of Football? Hopefully to play the game properly. Pass the ball to feet, play with your head up, keep moving and play the game in the right spirit. I can't remember a single occasion where the physio was on the pitch giving treatment following a bad tackle. Even more pleasing was the lack of hystrionics and rolling around on the floor. All of the goals came from open play, rather than well drilled set pieces. I just hope that some of the billionaires and oligarcs look at the match, look how Barca have evolved and realise that such a team cannot be built overnight. Last year was not Barca's year in the Champions League, but they stuck by Guardiola. Look what happened.
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