Barcelona capped off an incredible season by winning the Champions League 2–0 over defending champion Manchester United on Wednesday in Rome. They became the first Spanish team to win the Primera Liga, the King’s Cup, and Champions League in thesame season.
Manchester United and Barcelona was really the perfect final for soccer fans around the world with two newly crowned domestic champions (of England and Spain respectively) doing battle. The two teams met in the 1991 Cup Winners Cup final and last year’s Champions League semifinal. Manchester United won both encounters.
After elaborate opening ceremonies including a performance from Andrea Bocelli, the game was underway.
Barcelona striker Thierry Henry returned to the starting line-up after a lengthy injury. Silvinho, 35, replaced the suspended Eric Abidal at left back and performed like he had been there all season.
Ryan Giggs was named captain for Manchester United. He started in place of Darren Fletcher who was suspended but had a dismal outing.
Gerard Pique and Yaya Toure, not Barcelona’s standard pairing in central defense, looked solid while captain Carles Puyol did a great job of shutting down United’s threats down the left wing.
Barcelona Strikes Early
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo tested Barca keeper Valdes with a long dipping free kick in the second minute as the English champions started strongly.
Barcelona was slow to get in the game but out of nowhere Samuel Eto’o, one of the game’s best finishers, put Barcelona in front at the 10-minute mark totally against the run of play.
United’s defense seemed to shut down as Eto’o walked around Nemanja Vidic and knifed a shot in at the near side. The goal sent shivers down Manchester United’s spine as Barcelona immediately found solid footing in the match.
Barcelona bases their play on ball possession. That is how they control games, with short passing, give-and-gos, and greattechnical skill. Barcelona’s midfield with Iniesta, Busquets, and Xavi took control against Manchester United as the first half wore on. Iniesta and Xavi rarely gave the ball away.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Argentine striker Carlos Tevez at the start of the second half in place of the ineffective Anderson.
But Barcelona started the second half the way United started the first. Thierry Henry, who had been quiet in the first half, made one of his trademark runs down the left wing. He made Rio Ferdinand look like a pylon before drawing a great save out of United keeper Edwin van der Sar.
Xavi then hit the far post with a curling free kick in the 51st minute after a strong run by Iniesta drew a foul at the top of the 18-yard box.
Frustration Mounting for United
On came Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov in the 66th minute as Manchester United sought a different dimension in their attack.
Barcelona put the game on ice when Lionel Messi headed in Xavi’s cross in the 70th minute.
Now, with the game seemingly beyond reach, Ronaldo picked up a yellow card for persistent fouls on Puyol. Wayne Rooney, also frustrated, was switched to a more central role from left wing.
But in the end, Barcelona just had too much class for United. United ran out of ideas and Barcelona ended the game stroking around the short passes much like Spain did on their way to Euro 2008 glory.
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, in his first season as coach, will probably be asked what he will do for an encore after winning three major trophies for a Spanish team.
As for Sir Alex Ferguson, he’ll know his team was outplayed in the Eternal City.
Hats off to Barcelona, champions of Europe.
