Barcelona were doing the waltz, while Man U simply played the part of awe filled on lookers. Well I don't blame them. Xavi and Inieasta simply willed the ball at their feet. With a successful passing percentage of 92% and 90% for Xavi and Iniesta respectively, which is unheard off, there was no other result possible.
What was amazing to see were three things: 1) Fergie didn't foresee Messi not playing down the right flank and rather through the centre. Even I foresaw it and actually Esmond Lama my dear friend would attest to that fact. Pep Guardiola simply out foxed the so called "Fox"! 2) Fergie needed to over haul the midfield with his changes as that is where they were being killed, what did he do, was throwing the proverbial "Kitchen sink", by sacrificing the midfield with two more strikers! What use are strikers if they don't get fed with good balls from the midfield, Fergie played right into Barca's hands. Nice touch dufus! and finally 3) Messi all of 5'7" beat two central defenders all of 6'4" and a goal keeper towering at 6'5" - Any questions of comparing him with Christiano Ronaldo hence forth will be nothing short of blasphemy! He is streets ahead of any striker in the game today.
Chelsea were smart enough to know Barca's strength was the midfield, and they played with better tactics than Man U, they almost kept Barcelona out of the finals is clear testament to that. There lies the relief, Barcelona can be overcome.
Anyway, I am glad Barcelona won, not because, I am a die hard Liverpool fan, but because they just have one tactic for every game, pass - pass - pass - score. They are a joy to watch, they are simply BEAUTIFUL!! I just can't wait for the season to start again, for me August 2009 can't come sooner!
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