Barcelona 2, Manchester United 0
Barcelona 2, Manchester United 0
90th minute plus … Barcelona has exposed the long accepted soccer and sports bromide that defense wins championships. With a hobble defense, the Spanish champions weathered United’s early onslaught and fought back with style. Dominant midfielder play led by Xavi and Iniesta. A truly deserved championship for the Blaugrana.
90th minute plus … Rodriguez for Iniesta.
87th minute … Berbatov header sails over the goal.
85th minute … Puyol takes a pass from Xavi and nearly makes it 3-0.
84th minute … Barca in complete and utter control. United players walking, stunned.
75th minute … Last gasp for United, Scholes replaces Giggs. Probably too little, too late.
70th minute … Absolute DAGGER. Xavi finds Messi at the far post, and the Argentine flash scores an goal on an unlikely header. Barcelona, 2-0.
67th minute … Berbatov replaces a frustrated Park.
60th minute … Nothing but frustration for United. Ronaldo offside, errant passes, nothing clicking. But still a long way to go.
52nd minute … Iniesta fouled at top of United penalty are. Xavi beats van der Sar, but shot slams off the near post.
49th minute … Barcelaon pouring forward, with control and confidence. But without scoring so far, which could be deadly.
47th minute … Xavi springs Henry down the left, one on one with Ferdinand. Fakes the big defender off his feet, but shot is saved by van der Sar. Could have been a dagger.
46th minute … Tevez replaces the ineffective Anderson.
Halftime … The type of match where you look up at the running clock and are amazed that 40-45 have passed. Sheer entertainment, regardless of which team you’re supporting. If you’re reading this the real question is: Why aren’t you watching the match?
If you’re Sir Alex, who comes off and who goes on for the second half? If you’re Guardiola, do you make any changes?
45th minute … Messi takes a throw-in on the near side and just motors 40 years with the ball seemingly attached to his left foot for a shot that van der Sar can’t gain control of. Cleared by United defense.
43rd minute … Rooney looking increasingly frustrated out on the left, seeing little of the ball. While Iniesta and Xavi bob and weave at will in the midfield.
39th minute … As hobbled as Barca’s defense is with the absence of Marquez, Abidal, et al, United’s skill players are getting little space to turn and run. And Sylvinho is holding his own.
33rd minute … Barca captain Puyol blankets Rooney, and United’s Park has not yet imposed himself on the game; while for Barca, Henry seems lost on the left flank.
27th minute … If Messi was quick enough, the little Argentine is replendent in his new electric-blue Adidas Tunit F50i shoes. Like some many players today, they’re going with the day-glo colors on their flippers. Break out the sunglasses!
25th minute … Can we stop the clock or put it in someone’s pocket? This is end to end stuff. The game at its pinnacle. Play all night!
24th minute … Anderson jostles Iniesta, Barca’s engine about 25-28 yards from goal on the near side. Xavi’s curling free kick sails wide.
23rd minute … Eto’o’s goal seems to have settled Barcelona and renewed its confidence. United’s early ball possession game seems a thing of the past. … For now.
20th minute … Valdés wipes out Park on a sprint to the edge of the area to clear.
17th minute … Ronaldo makes a fool of Pique and forces the Barcelona defender into an obstruction 25 yeards out. Pique also takes a yellow card from Referee Massimo Busacca, but free kick sails high.
10th minute … Barca’s first offensive foray led by Iniesta, who carries 10-15 yards and leads Eto’s into the United area. The Cameroonian international cuts around Vidic and slips the ball past van der Sar. Talk about counters. So much of United’s early dominance. Barcelona 1-0
9th minute … United buildup on left springs Ronaldo for left-footed shot pushed wide of goal.
7th minute … Ronaldo, who has had so much success from long range recently, unloads from about 30 years. And why not? With Valdés showing signs of the yipes.
5th minute … Pressure is all from United.
1st minute … Anderson nutmegs Toure, Ronaldo’s low free kick is coughed up by Valdés, Park misses rebound and it goes for a Manchester United corner. Valdés looks shaky early.
Underway at 2.45 and Valdés immediately flubs a clearing pass over the touchline.
Minutes before kickoff … Manchester United in all white; Barcelona is blue-and-red striped jerseys.
The Rest is Up to You…
Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA GFK, Jr.
AKA The Sly, Slick and the Wicked
AKA The Voodoo Child
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com
Entre dos aguas – Paco de Lucía
27/05/2009 at 4:02 pm Permalink
Never knew you were a “soccer” fan. Watching United get wipped almost served as consolation for the ass whopping we got at the Emirates!