BARCA '09---Champions League Final review

First off, congratulations to Barcelona, 2009 Champions League champions.

The game that gave Barca their 3rd UEFA title certainly didn't live up to the billing that most soccer fans, including at least the Man U half of the 72,700 at the Stadio Olympico, expected...I know I said in the preview that these teams are equal, that the loser wouldn't have lost to a better team...Well, Barca and Man. U. may be equals in the long haul, but today, at least, Barca was the far better team.

Some plays that stood out to me:

---Ronaldo early on, challenging Valdes and the Barca defense...and not missing by much. Just one of those shots going in makes this a totally different game.

---10' GOAL: Eto'o finishing with pure class. This goal came completely against the run of play chances wise (Barca was getting some possession but weren't creating the way Man U--especially Ronaldo-- was). Van der Saar got a hand on it, but this was the game-changing moment.

---Pique's yellow card in the 16' was fortunate for Barca...the Frenchman could easily have been considered the last man, and a red card would have definitely had an impact on the game. No matter who the opponent, Man U doesn't waste a man advantage, especially when they have it for 75+ minutes.

---Tevez coming on for Anderson at halftime. This sub would've been a complete flop...the only reason it wasn't was that Anderson was equally as ineffective as Tevez. This was a chance for Tevez to drive his stock wayyyy up---the chances he remains at Old Trafford were slim to begin with...now Man U won't want him, but his stock with potential suitors is worth about as much as GM.

---Man U was deservedly lucky when Xavi rang a freekick off the post in the 53rd---the Iniesta takedown was a harsh call. A goal would've been the dagger for United...that would just come later.

---70' GOAL: United appeared to head back to England around the 70th min...Xavi had all the room in the world get pinpoint his cross for Messi, who had nobody within 3 or 4 yards of him (which is completely unacceptable when you're only 7 or 8 yards from goal).

---Barca fans couldn't have asked for anything more than the 70 quality mins. they got from Henry. He would've been on the score sheet if not for a quality save by van der Saar in the 48th...he possessed well, he moved well. A great workman-like effort.

---Right after the second goal, Valdes stepped up BIG TIME. World class save from an underrated world-class 'keeper.



The player of the game, without any doubt, wasn't Messi...wasn't Ronaldo...wasn't Henry...certainly wasn't Rooney (more on him in a bit)...nope, Man of the Match goes to Samuel Eto'o. An absolutely fantastic goal, and he wasn't just dangerous with his shot---he set-up Messi TWICE with beautiful passes in the 19' and 50' marks. Messi should've finished the first opportunity, and had his shouts for a penalty denied (rightfully) on the second.


As for the most disappointing player in this match...Wayne Rooney. Where on Earth was he??? Obviously not in Rome... Rooney usually makes himself invisible to get himself space for spectacular goals...tonight he was invisible for all the wrong reasons.



Overall...Man U controlled until Eto'o scored, but followed it with too many giveaways and couldn't seem to develop any rhythm. I won't say Guardiola outcoached Ferguson...his players are just the ones that decided to show up today. Barca earned and deserved their 3rd European title (they also won in '92 and '06), which equals Man U's three ('68, '98, '08).


On another positive note, at 4:15 WINS in NYC actually mentioned the game---which was still in action (74', 2-0) during their one-minute sports update. Now if only they'd mention the Red Bulls...


One last CONGRATULATIONS to FC Barcelona, the 2009 Champions of Europe.