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Barca is the best!

May 27th, 2009 | By: Jan | 28 Comments »

Before this CL finals, we could have filled many pages with comments on this game. The two strongest teams in Europe facing off. Two footballing machines. The Power and Discipline of ManU versus the Skill and Creativity of Barca.

Man United fans will most definitely feel their team let them down and call this a boring, disappointing finals. For Barca fans – and hopefully the neutrals as well – this was a very exciting game.

Goals, beautiful pass-and-move football, forward pressure, individual skill and most prominently: tactical smarts.

I think Barca won the game before it started. In typical English/ManU style, Sir Alex didn’t dream of changing his game play too much against Barca. “We’ll play like we always play…”. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said the same thing, but he did make a major change. Again. The tactics that worked against Real Madrid were deployed against Man United as well.

Let’s see. Four defenders on line? Check. Physically strong man markers centrally? Check. Attacking full backs? Check.

Like in the Madrid game, Guardiola decided to use Messi as a drifting center striker/playmaker. Never would Messi “be” in the center striker position, he would “come into” the position and leave the zone open. Eto’o played on the right, Henry on the left, making their diagonal runs into the box.

As a result, Ferdinand and Vidic didn’t have a direct opponent and seemed lost. The insecurity kept the other defensive players back as well, resulting in massive space between the last line of defense and the forwards for the lean and mean Barca creators (Iniesta, Xavi, Messi) to run amok.

On top of that, Pep had his team play total football again. All ten field players defended and put pressure on the ball and there was constant movement. Whenever Eto’o drifted centrally, right back Puyol would move into the right winger position. Every time central defender Toure had the chance, he’d push back up. The first defender? Messi. The first build up player? Toure. A massive demonstration of modern football, based largely on the Dutch School.

After a hectic Man United start – with a free kick by CR and an almost tap in for Park – it was Barca ruling the game. The quick feet and smarts of Iniesta and Xavi relegated Man United to onlookers and Messi was able to weave his magic upfront.

The 1-0 was a beauty, the 2-0 was an affront. The smallest player on the pitch heading a ball in, where players like Vidic, Ferdinand and Van der Sar acted as bit-actors.

But ManU wasn’t without a chance. The afore mentioned action in the first minute and some opps in the second half (Giggs on a Berbatov pass in the box, Berbatov’s header) but it wasn’t enough.

And so, Pep Guardiola succeeds Frank Rijkaard as a winning coach who won the cup as a player as well (Pep is number 6, Frank was number 5… Pop Quiz: Which other players/coaches won the cup as player and coach??)

None of Sir Alex’ men could raise their game. C Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Park, Giggs… They couldn’t make the difference and the team tactics and execution were lacking.

JC always said: “Playing against English teams is easy. They always play with four at the back with two physically strong central defenders. That’s where you can hurt them.”

And that’s what Barcelona did. Hail to the Best Team of the World!

Note: Poor van der Sar played a good game and stopped a couple of potential threats. But it wasn’t enough. He didn’t look too good at the 1-0 but was outclassed by Messi scoring 2-0. Maybe next season?

Tags: Alex, Group C, Guardiola, Iniesta, Manchester, Messi, Rijkaard, Sar, Xavi

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By Jan | May 27th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

Carlos! You beat me to it! It’s indeed Munoz and Trapp… Well done.

Two Dutch p/c’s in the list of six. Not bad…

By finnster01 | May 27th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

Well done Barca, and congrats to Ferenc.

The best team won and although it wasn’t always pretty, it was a good hard fought final.

I am still smiling at the smug face of the cheater of all cheaters, Ronaldo, walking homw with nothing. The little bugger tried again with one of his little dives but luckily it did not lead to anything.

Cristiano Ronaldo is such a spoilt little child it is not even remotely funny.

By finnster01 | May 27th, 2009 at 8:11 pm

Well done Barca, and congrats to Ferenc.

The best team won and although it wasn’t always pretty, it was a good hard fought final.

I am still smiling at the smug face of the cheater of all cheaters, Ronaldo, walking home with nothing. The little bugger tried again with one of his little dives but luckily it did not lead to anything.

Cristiano Ronaldo is such a spoilt little child it is not even remotely funny.

By bobotoh | May 27th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

For me, the best player is Xavi Hernandez. Sneijder or Van der vaart should learn from this guy.

Posted from Indonesia

By alaa | May 27th, 2009 at 9:11 pm

xavi and iniesta are the best couple ever in the midfield, and then you have the best defensive midfielder in the world which is toure’, i love barcelona, reminds of the oranje we love. but right now our oranje is not a real total football team!!

By ilham | May 27th, 2009 at 9:13 pm

@bobotoh : think VdV should learn from Messi. (and F. Utina learn to sneijder. )

By Miguel Rosado | May 27th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

Football has won!!!. Barcelona deserved the victory they were better by far. This team will be remembered forever and I really admire Guardiola he’s a great coach, 1rst year as a coach and won 3 titles!!!.

Messi is better than Ronaldo because Messi cares about his team.

By Carlos | May 27th, 2009 at 11:28 pm

I also loved the game – Ferenc buddy have a glass of wine with Mum for me OK ? It was soooooo good to see that Barca midfield dominate and at times walk thru ManU as if they were shadows. Messi was great but surely credit to Xavi and Iniesta, wish they were Dutch – vdV and Sneider CAN play like that, have seen them do it individually but never together to lift the team. Ronaldo was pathetic ! OK I dont really like ManU but I have seen them play better. They looked a little overawed and Vidic was poor.

Posted from Singapore

By Jan | May 28th, 2009 at 3:04 am

I think ManU’s tactics let them down massively. I know Sir Alex never adapts to an opponent, but when they play Oranje/Ajax style with the Great Messi in the JC role, they’re a force to behold. The way Messi played in between the lines ( what were they thinking? Five men at the back, five up front and the forwards hardly tracked back in time) was sheer brillance.

They sometimes cut through ManU as a hot knife through melted butter.

If you’d never see a game this season, you’d think ManU was a mediocre team! All of us watching the EPL games know better though.

It was a demonstration of modern football and skill versus traditional English tactics. JC said it many times: English teams are vulnerable: never play in their pace, always slow it down and use lightfooted skilled players in the center. Ferdinand and Vidic were made to look as if they played their first ever European game!

By bobotoh | May 28th, 2009 at 3:44 am

@ilham, F. Utina, who?

If Barca has Xavi and Iniesta, then AZ has Schaars and Demy De Zeeuw.

Posted from Indonesia

By Alex | May 28th, 2009 at 5:46 am

Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in our good friend Luc Castaignos, cause of his impressive displays in the recent U-17 tournament.
If they want him, they will have to pay big time cause he just signed a three year contract with Feyenoord, a construction where he is bought and loaned back to Feyenoord for some years is also a real possibility, could help Feyenoord in their struggle for money.
BTW Schaars and De Zeeuw is indeed a smaller version of Xavi and Iniesta.
With Afellay out, I vote for Elia in Oranje. and then just let him play as well, but we should also be careful with him, talents are often wasted; De Ridder, Medunjanin, John, Jenner, Hofs, Janssen, Hoogervorst(former Ajax), Hoogstrate(former PSV/FC Groningen)

Posted from Netherlands

By Jeroen | May 28th, 2009 at 6:32 am

Braafheid will most likely be going to Ajax or PSV (despite other interested clubs). If he would go to Ajax it would be great! I think a lot more players will be more eager to play for Ajax now that Jol is there. He has a lot of appeal in Holland (and abroad). That covers our leftback position which I felt was pretty weak this season. If Elia joined Ajax (also a possibility), there would be no doubt in my mind that this team SHOULD win Eredivisie next year. The only thing we really lack is a good strong center mid. Aissati is nice as playmaker but we need someone who is big and strong to back him up….not Anita.

Posted from Netherlands

By Michel-Olivier | May 28th, 2009 at 8:16 am

7+4
at least barca won with 7 homegrown players(busquets, xavi, pique, messi, iniesta, puyol, and valdes).

Posted from United States

By Michel-Olivier | May 28th, 2009 at 8:17 am

when rafa came to Liverpool he purchase lots of young talents, however they never became regulars in the starting 11 because rafa never wanted them. so
i feel castaignos should stay with feyenoord

Posted from United States

By Miguel Rosado | May 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am

Barca played with only one holding midfielder, Sergi Busquets. At times Yaya Toure went ahead to become the 4th midfielder helping Busquets get the ball back. I hope Bert does the same we don’t need 2 holding midfielders, what we need is to pass the ball with more speed.

———–Stekelenburg———

—Marcellis–Bommel–Mathijsen–Bouma–

—–Sneijder–Schaars–Vaart—-Robben-

———Huntelaar–Persie——–

With Van Bommel becoming the 4th midfielder when we are attacking. Marcellis is more reliable that Van der Wiel and also attacks and Bouma to me is the best left back we have although he has to get back to his top level.

By Michel-Olivier | May 28th, 2009 at 10:02 am

Orange Toulon Tournament squad

Kai van Hese (ADO Den Haag), Siem de Jong en Jeffrey Sarpong (beiden Ajax), Erwin Mulder (Excelsior), Diego Biseswar (Feyenoord, foto), Mustafa Amezrine en Oussama Assaidi (beiden De Graafschap), Tom Hiariej (FC Groningen), Geert-Arend Roorda en Daryl Janmaat (beiden sc Heerenveen), Bas Dost (Heracles Almelo), Donny Gorter (NAC Breda), John Goossens (N.E.C.), Erik Pieters (PSV), Erik Falkenburg (Sparta Rotterdam), Vito Wormgoor (FC Utrecht), Alexander Buttner, Nicky Kuiper en Ricky van Wolfswinkel (allen Vitesse) en Rens van Eijden (Willem II)

Posted from United States

By Michel-Olivier | May 28th, 2009 at 10:09 am

barca played total football (4-3-3)

——————–stekelenburg———————
v.d.wiel-bommel-mathijsen-v.bronckhorst
—————de jong————–
—–schaars————sneijder—–
v.persie——-huntelaar——-robben

Posted from United States

By Caleb | May 28th, 2009 at 10:35 am

Well, that was kind of a boring CL final… not terrible, but not really great either. I was going for Barca and so I was glad to see them win, but Man U just looked terrible… did they even show up to the game? They gave Barca way too much space, and just let them pass it around as much as they wanted… is SAF stupid to let his team let Barca do that?? Having said that, Barca actually didn’t look continually threatening, but they certainly dominated the possession. They also created a few (not tons, but much more than Man U to be sure) great chances with some fantastic passing. Certainly the better team won. Messi’s header for the second goal was picturesque… very nice!

I was actually surprised Ronaldo didn’t act as bad as his normal self. He was still babyish and whiny, but not as bad as usually is. I was disappointed with Puyol a few times though… rolling on the ground even more than Ronaldo. Very disappointing from the captain of the Champion’s League and Euro Cup winning teams.

Posted from Canada

By ferenc | May 28th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

Carlos,my friend – i promise,we’ll have a glass of wine for you tomorrow:-)

i’m very happy with the result,the best team of the world won. these days is very good to be a barca fan. barca’s midfield is colossal,messi,iniesta and xavi are amongst the 5 best players of the world. i’m agree with Jan: it was a demonstration of total football. manu was tactically 0. they wanted to outplay barca,no men on xavi and iniesta,empty spaces etc. good for samuel that he scored the first – ha missed so many opportunities recently but in big games he’s always there. pep is a genious.

i think oranje should have 2 holding midfielders. why? because with xavi and iniesta you can afford only one who is in normal situation yaya toure. at the beginning i thought that busquets would make mistakes. but xavi and iniesta are the best 2 midfielders of the world at the moment. they can keep possession the whole night long. no other attacking midfielder couple can do the same. this is why oranje need 2 holding midfielders.

Posted from Hungary

By Jan | May 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

Ferenc (and others): spot on!

Barca is the most Dutch team in the world, whereas even six Dutch players at Madrid can’t make that happen. Why is that?

The coach! The club culture. The philosophy. Pep can do this with Spaniards, Africans, Argentines, Estonians…doesn’t matter.

Having Bojan, Pedro, Hleb and others on the bench doesn’t hurt either.

Xavi and Iniesta are artists. Renaissance men.

And Toure is the silent force, the engine. The muscle man. Highly highly impressed.

Holland should play like this always.

But what does it take? Tremendous discipline. The three forwards were the first to defend and Toure is the first to build up. A team performance all the way through. No egos (that’s why Messi is the King and C Ronaldo the court jester) and hard work.

By JVB21 | May 28th, 2009 at 10:41 pm

A great game to watch, certainly not an end to end thriller but a master class by Barca on skill, patience, composure and control.

Personally the mini drama between Puyol and C Ronaldo was one of the most interesting elements for me. CR’s ball skills are obvious but his temperment, theatrics and attitude annoy me to no end. It was wonderful to watch Puyol out work, out hustle and out play him in so many ways. Beauty and the beast and the beast won. As for the rolling around, the one late in the game seemed over done until you notice in the replay CR rolls onto Puyols left ankle rolling it over. CR got an education, but judging from some of his post game comments he learned little.

A big over the head to Barca!

By Alex | May 29th, 2009 at 6:39 am

Not really a fair comparison with the 6 at Real, Van Nistelrooij wasn’t even able to play. V.d.Vaart, Sneijder, Huntelaar, Drenthe and Robben never even played all at the same time, besides none of them are the type of player Touré is.
Huntelaar is a pure striker but is in no way the same type of player as Eto’ó, who is incredibly fast and gets most of his advantage from that, the Hunter is almost Inzaghi with better skills.
Robben, Drenthe are wingers, and only Messi is a real winger for Barca, you can argue about Robben and Messi in comparison, Drenthe never played that often. Henry is more of a leftstriker.
Sneijder, V.d.Vaart are creative midfielders, you can compare them to Iniesta and Xavi and say they did much worse than they should have. But V.d.Vaart was benched for a long time after an impressive start.
So only Sneijder can really be criticised openly for his real bad performances in the middle of the season. He really fell short.
This isn’t to make up excuses for Real Madrid, but were being too harsh on the Dutch there. Even Xavi and Iniesta wouldn’t do that good in Real Madrid with it’s lack of vision in their playing style.

Cristiano Ronaldo, seems to always fail in really big matches. Messi is the best of the world right now, Ronaldo might have something of an advantage in ball skills and tricks, but Messi is the better natural dribbler, and in a way has a dissadvantage with his posture.

Posted from Netherlands

By Jan | May 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am

Alex, if you’re responding to my comments: I didn’t mean to criticize the Dutch players in Madrid, but more the way the Madrid coach uses them.

By Andrew | May 29th, 2009 at 11:40 am

@MO, many thanks for posting the Toulon tournament roster. I’ve enjoyed that event for a number of years now, and having the roster is a plus.

Query to the rest: Given Barca’s performance (Wed. and over the year) and the movement and play of their three forwards, would RVP be a better fit in the middle than KJH? If they were to revert to 4-3-3, I could see a front three of Kuyt, Robben and RVP, and midfield of Sneijder, MVB and Schaars (though I hate to drop De Jong). Is it even likely that Van Mar would consider going back to 4-3-3? Curious as to thoughts.

Andrew

Posted from United States

By ken | May 30th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

Wow!

I only came across this site by accident. I think the Netherlands has a lot to do with Barca’s success. I am so so happy that Barca decided to stick with
Cruff’s approach to football and it finally paid off. In 1978, as a very young person’s I was very impressed when Holland displayed “total football” at wc even though they lost. Since then I thought that this philosophy would die. Spain adapted it and it got results in Euro 2008 and now Barca seems to have perfected because they applied it successfully even in the face of injuries/suspensions such as Abidal,Alves, etc.
What is even more exciting is that Barca beat Man Utd. The next question is that can they rule the world for the next few years. I think they will. I bet Spain will win WC2010

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