Last Saturday’s Uefa Champions League final was the grandest football event of the year and we can be forgiven for talking incessantly about it. Barcelona ’s spectacular 3-1 win over Manchester United was a beautiful confirmation of a modern day football dynasty. But with life being what it is, Barca’s triumph also raised some fascinating talking points…
Thabane Sutu - Former Lesotho captain and Al Ahly goalkeeper
Are Barca the greatest ever?
Nathane Mokebisa - Football connoisseur and Liverpool fan
Barca aren’t the greatest of all-time…
It was a great game and wonderful performance by Barcelona but Sir Alex Ferguson got his strategy wrong by playing with two central midfielders against the Barcelona three... I think it’s hard to pick a man of the match because Barcelona as a whole played a complete game. As for whether Barca are the greatest team ever, that is tough to say because the AC Milan side of the late eighties and early nineties could give this Barcelona team a run for their money.
That Milan team not only had the great Dutch trio of Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard but was of course supplemented by superb, street smart Italian defenders... never undermine them; and we all seem to think our current generation is the best ever…
Mitchell Demula - Real Madrid ’s 13th disciple
Did Man United get it wrong? And is Madrid the team to dethrone Barca?
Did Manchester United ever reallystand a chance of winning with their tactics? Personally I don’t think so; you just can’t play a normal game against Barcelona, unless you are as good as Arsenal at keeping the ball or better yet, just as good as Barca… but that’s almost impossible. A team like Manchester , who don’t have world-class passing ability, should have been much more defensive. Did you notice what happened every time United tried to pass the ball around?
Yes, every team stands a chance but here’s my point – Manchester are not renowned for their passing game, so when they meet a team like Barca they should not think they can take them on as a passing team, United should use other strengths. Manchester have hardworking players, they should have rather just dedicated Saturday’s final to some hardcore work-rate in marking and closing down crucial spaces. Barca will always have the ball unless their opponent is very good at holding on to the ball, like Arsenal, then you can have game-plan geared towards going toe-to-toe with them or keeping the ball from them. That’s just how brilliant Barca is, you can’t take them on with an average of five completed passes, they will destroy you. So let them have the ball but frustrate them by staying on them, closing down the crucial spaces and staying organised.
Is Madrid the team to beat Barca?
It’s a tough question. Look, it is some ugly football we’ve been playing this season against Barca but at the same time it’s the same tactic Mourinho used with Inter, namely defence and counterattack. I think this strategy is tolerable temporarily but as time goes on most loyal Madrid fans like myself would love to see Barca beaten in a beautiful way. But for now, I don’t mind Madrid playing negative football if it’s to our advantage.
I also think if Madrid stick to one coach and the same players for a minimum of two seasons .then we could be a big threat to Barca considering the talent and ability in our team. Madrid just need to work on team chemistry, that’s the only thing missing. The defence at the moment lacks confidence but that will build if the team chemistry and understanding improves... I think we have a brilliant squad.
Hala Madrid!
ReplyDeleteBut Mitch, the question is the teamwork. Do you really believe Cristiano can be a part of a team unit. Hes a machine but to beat Barca you need that team effort like you say!!!
ReplyDeleteBut all said, good luck Madrid. They have a nice kit...!