Champions League Finals Post-Game Analysis

BRAVO BARCA – GRACIAS GUARDIOLA – MERCI MESSI; WORTHY CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE

At a time when football is blemished …no, badly scarred, with scandals that really do not represent the game, true fans of the beautiful game would give anything to get something - anything - positive, about the game we so love. This is why, instead of doing a post match analysis, I’m using the space to say THANK YOU to FC Barcelona for allowing us, even if for a brief moment, to forget our “troubles” and be reminded of all the GOOD reasons we so love our good football.

On the biggest stage of world club football, at the Mecca of football, against one of the most prestigious clubs in football history, against arguably the greatest manager in club football history, the boys from Catolonia, led by “Messiah Messi”, “Alkali Iniesta” and “Imam Xavi”, the best team in the world, played what is perhaps the best game of their lives to lift their 2^nd Champions League trophy in 3 years. Here’s to the orchestra that executed that exquisite symphony that a combination of Beethoven, Mozart and Bach would have been proud of.

VALID VALDES

While he did not have too much to do, he commanded his penalty box with authority. Alert enough to quickly race off his line to snuff out the danger posed by Rooney from a long ball from Van Der Sar, and Sir Alex’s early direct play tactics. An early goal in the first 10 minutes could have changed the match but Valdes did his job early and pretty much earned his ticket to lay back and watch rest of the match like the rest of us. – ALERT

PINNACLE PIQUE

A former United Player, he put in a performance to remind Sir Alex and Man United fans of what they lost when he left. A lot of United fans I’ve talked to are now questioning why Hernandez started the game because of how ineffective the Mexican striker was. This was no coincidence I tell them. Pique personified the speed, strength, Intelligence and composure a world-cup winning center back should possess. Comfortably dealt with all the long balls United looked to play and kept them at bay during the first 10 minutes when United threw everything, including the kitchen sink at Barcelona. -AUTHORITATIVE

MASTERFUL MASCHERANO

The Argentinian captain arrived at Barcelona as a central midfielder and I was one of the ones questioning his decision because I just could not picture him taking a midfield spot from any of Barca’s starters. With injuries plaguing their defenders, Mascherano has seamlessly blended into the central defender role to partner with Bousquettes. He has shown quickness, an excellent reading of the play and the tenacity to give opposing strikers second thoughts about entering his territory. The fact that he was able to raise his game in the most challenging games in the semifinals and the finals speaks volumes. The test doesn’t get bigger than Mourinho’s Ronaldo and Sir Alex’s Rooney but Mascherano came out with flying colors. His defending also allowed Bousquettes to remain in midfield to do what he does best. – VERSATILE

ARTFUL ALVES

I didn’t check the stats but I’m willing to bet that he is the right back with the highest number of offside calls against him. He is constantly tormenting the other team’s defenders with his relentless attacking. He is Brazillian so we are not surprised by how skillful he is but his defensive acumen is definitely a bonus. His wide play and overlapping runs are huge for Barcelona’s style of play as it opens up the field more and allows the right forward to drift in and confuse the other team’s left back. Despite his size, Alves is the feistiest Barcelona player and brings that toughness and “attitude” most on his team are lacking. – RELENTLESS

ASTUTE ABIDAL

While he did not overlap and join the attack as often as Alves, Abidal stayed back to help keep out United’s long ball counter-attacking plans. His speed and quickness made sure Valencia was nullified. He also brings that “no nonsense” attitude and toughness that gives comfort to the Barcelona midfielders and forwards knowing “big brother” is around. Helped keep United out during that crucial 10 minutes and pretty much cruised the rest of the evening. – COMMANDING

BRILLIANT BOUSQUETTES

Speaking of cruising, this guy plays the whole game in cruise control. While he looks lanky, slow and a bit sluggish, his intelligence as a player cannot be missed. Sergio plays the game at HIS pace, always calm and composed and this is largely because he is usually thinking 10 minutes ahead of everyone else. His one touch play and reading of dangers well ahead of time allows him to shield the defense and be the pivot of all Barcelona plays. – SIMPLE

INGENIOUS INIESTA

The man I like to call Geniusta. The author of the goal that gave Spain their first world cup. One of the smallest players on the field, I can only imagine how frustrating defenders get in trying to get the ball off his feet. His movement off the ball, his dribbling, his ability to dissect the defense, his work rate…I could go on and on but I don’t want to overdo it. The vision and audacity to try that lob over Van Der Sar speaks volumes about this player. – GENIUS

JEREJEFF XAVI

… …. [that’s me thinking]… … Ok, no words coming so I’ll refer you to a play in the match. Take a look at the first goal. Watch him recognize the space in front of him. Watch how he advances take the space and unsettle United’s shape. Then watch how he takes that last touch to his left, drawing about 4 defenders that way, then see how he, with the outside of his right foot, neatly finds Pedro wide open in the opposite direction…No, seriously, look that goal up before moving on… - SUBLIME

PRECIOUS PEDRO

Left foot or right foot, which is better? I’ll let you know when I find out. Dribbles, shoots, shields and passes effectively well with BOTH feet. But that’s not even his greatest strength. Pedro’s movements caused the United defense all sorts of trouble all evening long. Coaches teach young players to shoot low and far post when in one side of the goal. It takes great composure to remember that, read the goalkeeper’s eyes and movements and beat a keeper of Van Der Sar’s quality on the near post in a match of this magnitude. Where Pedro is, good things happen. His work rate to quickly pressure the ball and not allow United to play that long pass is something a lot of people might overlook but the importance of that first goal won’t be. – INFLUENTIAL

VIRILE VILLA

In his first season at Barcelona, took a lot of criticism for scoring fewer goals than some expected. His contribution however, is far greater than many can see. Same work rate to pressure the ball, Villa has often sacrificed himself to play wide and allow more room for creativity. He is a constant thorn in the side of any team and was the same last night with several warnings to the United defense. Stopped a few times by Van Der Sar before finally showing all his composure and class with that fine chip over to kill the game. – DANGEROUS

MESMERIZING MESSI

Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho….I can honestly say, without apology, that this is the best player I have ever seen. Anything I add you’ve probably heard already. To think that he is still only 23 and expected to keep improving is a scary proposition for anyone not supporting Barcelona or Argentina. I borrow the Nike commercial – “We Are All Witnesses” - SPECIAL

GRANDE GUARDIOLA

I must admit I used to doubt just how good he was even after winning an unprecedented 6 trophies in his first season in charge. It was an already built team with so many stars. However, the tactical adjustments he has made to overcome Mourinho’s anti-football in the semi finals, and successfully carrying it to the finals has definitely earned my respect.

Add the way he showed Captain Puyol some respect by bringing him on for a cameo appearance in a game like this. Add the gesture to have Abidal, who about two months ago was dealing with a life-threatening medical condition, lift the trophy. – CLASSY

BRILLIANT BARCELONA

• Forget all the conspiracy theories, forget all the scandal surrounding FIFA, forget all the accusation of diving and racism. Forget how clubs pay ridiculous amounts of money on transfer fees. Just forget everything for a moment.

  Now…
  -Remember how 8 of their 11 starters are groomed from the youth academy.
  -Remember how they quickly realized their mistake in exchanging Eto for Ibrahimovic last season.
  -Remember how they swallowed their pride and cut their losses by letting Ibra go and getting Villa who fits more into their style of play.
  -Remember how they picked up a sick kid from Argentina who needed medical attention but could not afford it and gave him a chance at life.
  -Remember how they have consistently stuck to the beautiful, total attacking football introduced by the great Cruyff through all these years.
  -Note that many of the greatest creative attacking names of our game have worn the Blaugrana colors – Diego Maradona, Romario, Luis Nazario Ronaldo, Hristo Stoichkov and Ronaldinho Gaucho are just a few.

  Then watch this match again.
  Now see how, on a beautiful Saturday evening, with the whole world watching, all the hard work, all the patience and all the perseverance, came together to blossom into one of most beautiful footballing spectacles ever displayed on a pitch. - COMMITTED

   

QUOTABLE QUOTE – “Barcelona played like they had a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on the field” – Sheikh (One of the networking technicians at my job)

GRACIAS FC BARCELONA, A TOSS TO THE BEAUTIFUL GAME!

I thank you all for riding along with our live commentary and discussions and hope you continue reading the best Gambian writing on www.balafong.com .