Barcelona win Champions League Final 10/11

[Geordie Ahmed]

Ferguson will not get a wink of sleep tonight for cursing the decision to play Valencia who simply had an appalling evening.

 

That wasn't the issue at all. The real issue was starting Hernandes ahead of Nani (like ive been saying for weeks tbf). Wing play is the only way you have some sort of chance against Barca and Nani would have caused them problems from the start (he caused them problems when he came on). Hernandes was totally annonymous.

 

Fletcher should have also started ahead of Giggs too but that wasn't as big a issue.

 

Did he?

[Thespence]

SSN Gary Cotterill outside the Barca hotel was talking about how young the Barca team is "Iniesta looks old but is only 27, was 26 until just a few years ago"

 

http://tvnewsroom.co.uk/images/news-staff/gary-cotterill/gary-cotterill-1367.jpg

[Rebellious]

Ferguson will not get a wink of sleep tonight for cursing the decision to play Valencia who simply had an appalling evening.

 

That wasn't the issue at all. The real issue was starting Hernandes ahead of Nani (like ive been saying for weeks tbf). Wing play is the only way you have some sort of chance against Barca and Nani would have caused them problems from the start (he caused them problems when he came on). Hernandes was totally annonymous.

 

Fletcher should have also started ahead of Giggs too but that wasn't as big a issue.

 

I must have been watching a different match. Giggs and Rooney were the only 2 that did anything that worked.  Fletcher as he has similar energy levels to Park, should have started over Carrick who did his usual watch the game go by and give the ball away. Hernandes was out of his depth, should have played Berba, but hindsight is makes it all easier to call.

[Zero]

Ferguson's fault is not playing like Real Madrid/Inter.  To be honest, you have no chance to win unless you adopt a Mourinho's style counter attack tactics against Barca.

[Thespence]

Ferguson's fault is not playing like Real Madrid/Inter.  To be honest, you have no chance to win unless you adopt a Mourinho's style counter attack tactics against Barca.

 

 

Lets not kid on that Jose has Barca number as last season he could not beat  Barca in 90 mins in 5 games.

[Tooj]

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/05/29/barcelona-3-1-man-utd-champions-league-final-2011/

 

Goals from each of Barcelona’s front three gave Pep Guardiola’s side victory at Wembley.

 

Sir Alex Ferguson named his recent ‘big game’ XI – which meant Javier Hernandez upfront with Wayne Rooney behind, and Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick in the centre of midfield. The biggest surprise was Dimitar Berbatov not even being on the bench.

 

Guardiola was able to call on Eric Abidal at left-back, but not Carles Puyol at centre-back, so Javier Mascherano started in defence after all.

 

The overall pattern was not completely different from the 2009 final. United enjoyed a good opening few minutes, but were then the poorer side for the rest of the contest.

 

Barca dominance

There are two ways to consider the game. The first is the obvious approach – Barcelona are clearly the best side in the world, arguably one of the best of all time, and when they are on top of their game, they are unstoppable. It’s an approach that suits everyone – Barca are happy to take the plaudits, United can take the defeat easier knowing they’ve been beaten by a superb side, and the neutral can take pleasure from witnessing such a marvellous performance.

 

On the other hand, United probably shouldn’t have been dominated to such a large extent. Losing 3-1 is far from shameful, but the overall shots figure (22-4 to Barcelona) and the shots on target figure (12-1 to Barcelona) demonstrate quite how superior Guardiola’s side were. Tactics is not a case of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ depending solely upon the approach, but it’s difficult to argue that United’s tactics helped them compete in this game at all, even when starting from the earlier viewpoint – that Barca are by far the best around.

 

Hernandez starts

The key decision before the game was whether Hernandez would play upfront, or be dropped in favour of another midfielder. The choice to play him was an attacking move from Ferguson, but the inevitable knock-on effect was that Carrick and Giggs were overwhelmed in the centre of midfield. Wayne Rooney was given the job of tracking Sergio Busquets – a difficult task considering Rooney wanted to be in space when United won the ball – but Busquets started many of Barcelona’s attacks, and was able to find more attack-minded teammates in space very easily.

 

Hernandez isn’t the consistent threat over the top he should be considering his speed (though he’s obviously had a fantastic first season in terms of goalscoring) and he found himself frequently offside early in the game. Credit should go to Barcelona for that – in fact, in a game where Barcelona were largely able to play their ‘natural’ game, their aggressive offside trap was one of the few key tactical features. It takes a lot of confidence to be able to play so high up the pitch against Hernandez, especially with a back four that had played as a unit for just 60 minutes before this match.

 

United early pressure

 

United looked dangerous early on, and much of their good play came down the left, trying to get in behind Alves

All this said, Hernandez did help press Barcelona early on in this match – and Ferguson’s side were helped by the fact that Barca were without Puyol at the back – he’s a better passer than Abidal or Mascherano, and so it wasn’t a disaster if either of them had time on the ball. United settled quickly, won the first couple of tackles against Messi and played long balls, sometimes diagonal, into dangerous areas. Daniel Alves started nervously and Park Ji-Sung was a threat in the opening minutes.

 

Out of possession, Valencia and Park dropped deep and played narrow, helping United out in the centre of the pitch. The potential problem with Iniesta identified in the preview was part-solved by Valencia playing close to him. This then gave the Barcelona full-backs time on the ball, however, and it was partly because of that freedom that Barca were able to grow into the match and keep possession.

 

United’s defence dropped deep when Barca kept the ball, and so when it was played forward to Andres Iniesta, his favoured through-balls between centre-back and full-back trickled out of play for goal-kicks.

 

Space between the lines

The defence playing deep meant that Messi enjoyed too much time on the ball between the lines. It was obvious from the first minute that United’s strategy was to allow Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand to move forward to confront Messi, but this didn’t always work, and Messi got into intelligent positions to cause them problems.

 

The first goal came about because of space between the lines in two ways – first Xavi Hernandez became free there, and then Messi being unoccupied dragged Patrice Evra towards him, opening up space for Pedro Rodriguez to fire home.

 

That summed up United’s failings without the ball, because they were too easily dragged out of shape – although usually in the midfield, rather than at the back. Giggs, Park and Valencia all found it difficult to compete, and Carrick was faced with Xavi and Iniesta coming past him, and Messi in behind him. That’s 3rd, 2nd and 1st in last year’s World Footballer of the Year award forming a triangle around him – he desperately needed help, and United needed another body in that zone.

 

And yet they managed to get back in it, though it was after the pressing that had worked early on, rather than good work in the midfield. They boxed in Barca when Abidal took a throw in the left-back position, won the ball quickly and then Rooney played an excellent double one-two with Carrick and Giggs, and finished superbly.

 

Second half

After the break, Giggs and Park were told to switch positions permanently, though they’d sometimes swapped in the first half. The wisdom of this was questionable – yes, United needed more energy in the middle, but Park was guilty of switching off for Aaron Ramsey’s goal recently when pushed into the centre, and when watching the replay for Messi’s goal here, he seemed to have given up off before Messi had struck the ball. That said, as mentioned earlier, it was the centre-backs’ job to come up towards Messi, and they were slow to do so.

 

The other effect of the switch was Giggs becoming exposed to Alves’ runs, and twice in the first ten minutes of the second half, Alves was through on goal after one of his classic darts down the right – once he shot at Edwin van der Sar, the other time he squared for Messi. Ferguson knew something different was needed in midfield, but switching Park and Giggs was unlikely to be the answer. With three central midfielders on the bench – Darren Fletcher, Anderson and Paul Scholes – he did have options.

 

Final stages

Ferguson waited until the 69th minute to make a change, and that was enforced, as Fabio da Silva was struggling, possibly with cramp. Nani came on, Antonio Valencia went to right-back. Incidentally, it’s not uncommon for Fabio to depart because of fitness problems. He’s started 16 games this season and been removed 10 times, whilst his twin brother Rafael has been taken off in 8 of his last 9 games. These figures include tactical substitutions as well as changes because of injury, but a decent number have been fitness-related, and therefore it was a surprise that Ferguson named no full-back on the bench, with John O’Shea left out of the 18 altogether.

 

The substitution had little impact on the game, because David Villa soon curled a brilliant shot into the net to put Barcelona 3-1 up, and that settled it. United rarely threatened at two goals down, and Barcelona – particularly Messi – were keen to keep the ball rather than extend the lead.

 

Conclusion

“We never really controlled Messi,” Ferguson admitted after the game. “But many people have said that. We never really closed the midfield well enough to counter them. We tried to play as near to the way we normally play. For instance, it’s alien to us to try to man-mark players. We tried to play as normally as we can. It wasn’t good enough on the night, we acknowledge that.”

 

Guardiola was pleased with his side. “We pressed the ball a lot, we were on top of Carrick and Giggs and that shows the quality of our team. You’ll always have problems in the Champions League final but we had less problems than in Rome – we had more chances and we made more of them.

 

Lionel Messi is the best player I’ve seen, the best I will ever see probably. We have good players but without him I don’t think we’d be able to make that decisive leap.”

 

As both managers touched upon, there were two key factors – first, United didn’t get to grips with Barca in midfield, and second, Messi was sublime.

 

[SUPERTOON]

It wasn't anyone's fault, Barcelona were outstanding, nobody would have beat them last night.

[David28]

Btw, will this Barcelona win really mean that there won't be any Special 1 TV next season?

[Zero]

Ferguson's fault is not playing like Real Madrid/Inter.  To be honest, you have no chance to win unless you adopt a Mourinho's style counter attack tactics against Barca.

 

 

Lets not kid on that Jose has Barca number as last season he could not beat  Barca in 90 mins in 5 games.

 

I am not kidding.  Tell me a team that could beat Barca by playing attacking football.  Even Arsenal is playing Mourinho's style this year.

Mourinho's style, while not appreciated by you guys, proves to be the most effective one against Barca.

 

Yesterday Man Utd simply have no chance to win.  Even the match is replayed for 100 times, Barca would win all of them, not even a draw. It is just impossible to win Barca by playing attacking football.

[Guest Big Al]

the question is - how would you set up a team to beat Barcelone?

 

Two Andy Carrolls up front, endless long balls, midfielders running into the box for knock-downs, quality free-kick/corner taker, Rory Delap on throw-ins

 

That would be interesting, not sure it world work though coz Pique and Puyol (though he didn't start yesterday) are beasts in the air too. If anything they can be beaten by speed and quick movement which was what got Man Utd their goal.

 

I thought the thing that got Man Utd their goal was an abysmal decision by the linesman, eh?

[David28]

Ferguson's fault is not playing like Real Madrid/Inter.  To be honest, you have no chance to win unless you adopt a Mourinho's style counter attack tactics against Barca.

 

 

Lets not kid on that Jose has Barca number as last season he could not beat  Barca in 90 mins in 5 games.

 

I am not kidding.  Tell me a team that could beat Barca by playing attacking football.  Even Arsenal is playing Mourinho's style this year.

Mourinho's style, while not appreciated by you guys, proves to be the most effective one against Barca.

 

Yesterday Man Utd simply have no chance to win.  Even the match is replayed for 100 times, Barca would win all of them, not even a draw. It is just impossible to win Barca by playing attacking football.

 

Arsenal this season in the first leg.

 

Inter in the first leg of the semi-final last season.

 

 

 

[Disco]

Rather enjoyable that was.

[Zero]

Arsenal this season in the first leg.

 

Inter in the first leg of the semi-final last season.

 

Same.  Arsenal just tried more on building up plays from behind.

It's still a 3 defensive midfielder system with one marking Messi, one marking Xavi and one marking Iniesta. Packing very tight in the middle and does not allow any space for Barca players to create.

The Arsenal's 2nd goal in the first leg is very similar to last year's Inter one. A counter attack starting from a great passer in the middle.

 

 

Look at the 2nd and 3rd goals last night.  You may say it's pure quality. To me it's shit defending by allowing Messi and Villa to shot freely just outside the box. Even Arsenal did not allow that.

[David28]

Arsenal this season in the first leg.

 

Inter in the first leg of the semi-final last season.

 

Same.  Arsenal just tried more on building up plays from behind.

It's still a 3 defensive midfielder system with one marking Messi, one marking Xavi and one marking Iniesta. Packing very tight in the middle and does not allow any space for Barca players to create.

The Arsenal's 2nd goal in the first leg is very similar to last year's Inter one. A counter attack starting from a great passer in the middle.

 

 

Look at the 2nd and 3rd goals last night.  You may say it's pure quality. To me it's shit defending by allowing Messi and Villa to shot freely just outside the box. Even Arsenal did not allow that.

 

Agree about that. First goal was very good from them. 2nd and 3rd the defence should have done better - probably even VdS, but that's hard to decide.

 

Though, Inter did play attacking football against them at San Siro. Compact, typical Mourinho style football, but attacking football.

[Thespence]

Ferguson's fault is not playing like Real Madrid/Inter.  To be honest, you have no chance to win unless you adopt a Mourinho's style counter attack tactics against Barca.

 

 

Lets not kid on that Jose has Barca number as last season he could not beat  Barca in 90 mins in 5 games.

 

I am not kidding.  Tell me a team that could beat Barca by playing attacking football.  Even Arsenal is playing Mourinho's style this year.

Mourinho's style, while not appreciated by you guys, proves to be the most effective one against Barca.

 

Yesterday Man Utd simply have no chance to win.  Even the match is replayed for 100 times, Barca would win all of them, not even a draw. It is just impossible to win Barca by playing attacking football.

 

He beat them once last season in extra-time!!!! Hardly a winning formula & with the players Jose disposal & number of times Barca & Real Madrid played last season he was going to get a result at some point.  They lose so few games it obvious there is not clear plan as of yet. Hopefully the lads at Zonalmarking or FM2011 will crack it though & then feed in to SAF, Jose & various other managers.

[Zero]

He beat them once last season in extra-time!!!! Hardly a winning formula & with the players Jose disposal & number of times Barca & Real Madrid played last season he was going to get a result at some point.  They lose so few games it obvious there is not clear plan as of yet. Hopefully the lads at Zonalmarking or FM2011 will crack it though & then feed in to SAF, Jose & various other managers.

 

OK, I know you dislike Mourinho, but just face it.  Using that system you got 20% chances to win. 20%. Playing like Man Utd will be 0%, forever.

I am not saying it's a winning formula, I just mean it's the best tactics for any team in order "to get something" from Barca.  It's probably the best team in football history mate.

 

Don't you think it's already incredible to concede just 1 goal against Barca in 90 mins?

[David28]

He beat them once last season in extra-time!!!! Hardly a winning formula & with the players Jose disposal & number of times Barca & Real Madrid played last season he was going to get a result at some point.  They lose so few games it obvious there is not clear plan as of yet. Hopefully the lads at Zonalmarking or FM2011 will crack it though & then feed in to SAF, Jose & various other managers.

 

OK, I know you dislike Mourinho, but just face it.  Using that system you got 20% chances to win. 20%. Playing like Man Utd will be 0%, forever.

I am not saying it's a winning formula, I just mean it's the best tactics for any team in order "to get something" from Barca.  It's probably the best team in football history mate.

 

Don't you think it's already incredible to concede just 1 goal against Barca in 90 mins?

 

While playing with 10 men...

[Zero]

Arsenal this season in the first leg.

 

Inter in the first leg of the semi-final last season.

 

Same.  Arsenal just tried more on building up plays from behind.

It's still a 3 defensive midfielder system with one marking Messi, one marking Xavi and one marking Iniesta. Packing very tight in the middle and does not allow any space for Barca players to create.

The Arsenal's 2nd goal in the first leg is very similar to last year's Inter one. A counter attack starting from a great passer in the middle.

 

 

Look at the 2nd and 3rd goals last night.  You may say it's pure quality. To me it's s*** defending by allowing Messi and Villa to shot freely just outside the box. Even Arsenal did not allow that.

 

Agree about that. First goal was very good from them. 2nd and 3rd the defence should have done better - probably even VdS, but that's hard to decide.

 

Though, Inter did play attacking football against them at San Siro. Compact, typical Mourinho style football, but attacking football.

 

True, comparing with the ultimately passive one Real Madrid's playing this year. 

[Thespence]

He beat them once last season in extra-time!!!! Hardly a winning formula & with the players Jose disposal & number of times Barca & Real Madrid played last season he was going to get a result at some point.  They lose so few games it obvious there is not clear plan as of yet. Hopefully the lads at Zonalmarking or FM2011 will crack it though & then feed in to SAF, Jose & various other managers.

 

OK, I know you dislike Mourinho, but just face it.  Using that system you got 20% chances to win. 20%. Playing like Man Utd will be 0%, forever.

I am not saying it's a winning formula, I just mean it's the best tactics for any team in order "to get something" from Barca.  It's probably the best team in football history mate.

 

Don't you think it's already incredible to concede just 1 goal against Barca in 90 mins?

 

I am not that fussed either way about Jose its not if he is in direct opposition to NUFC. Real Madrid playing counter attacking football with  Ronaldo as the man leading counter attack has chance of working mainly because of the players Real Madrid have but if say Malaga tried that they would get more pulverized than Hatton did off Manny Pacquaio.

 

I think the best tactic is to play Barca is on a Wednesday night in December in one of the following places: Stoke,Grimsby or Hartlepool. If they can win in them places in winter WHAT A FUCKING TEAM!!!!!

[alpal78]

Ferguson's fault is not playing like Real Madrid/Inter.  To be honest, you have no chance to win unless you adopt a Mourinho's style counter attack tactics against Barca.

 

 

Lets not kid on that Jose has Barca number as last season he could not beat  Barca in 90 mins in 5 games.

 

He doesn't but he has beaten/drawn Braca at least thrice with Inter and Madrid. He is the closest to having a blueprint to deal with Barca. Nobody else comes close, Fergie tried to be brave and played 2 strikers and it proved to be his own undoing.

[Fenham Mag]

Great night! Love you all to bits.

 

 

[TBG]

the question is - how would you set up a team to beat Barcelone?

 

Two Andy Carrolls up front, endless long balls, midfielders running into the box for knock-downs, quality free-kick/corner taker, Rory Delap on throw-ins

 

Stoke City then.

[Thespence]

Ferguson's fault is not playing like Real Madrid/Inter.  To be honest, you have no chance to win unless you adopt a Mourinho's style counter attack tactics against Barca.

 

 

Lets not kid on that Jose has Barca number as last season he could not beat  Barca in 90 mins in 5 games.

 

He doesn't but he has beaten/drawn Braca at least thrice with Inter and Madrid. He is the closest to having a blueprint to deal with Barca. Nobody else comes close, Fergie tried to be brave and played 2 strikers and it proved to be his own undoing.

 

Jose has played Barca more than any other manager & he has won 1 game within 90 mins while at Inter & another with Real Madird in extra time. Last season Barcelona beat Real Madrid 5-0 & won the CL semi final in 1st leg with a 2-0 away from home. Jose like SAF has not got plan or the players to beat Barca on a regular basis he has Ronaldo who should always give him a chance in one offs.

[midds]

Xavi completed 141/148 passes last night.

 

Superb stuff.

[ponsaelius]

Ronaldo's right like, aslong as injuries don't curtail him Xavi could play till he's 40. Absolutely awesome footballer.