I've said it before in a previous article, and I'll say it again. There's just something about this new Wembley Stadium that seems to rub Manchester United the wrong way.
They've lost 2 FA Cup semi-finals, an FA Cup final, and you can now add the 2011 Champions League final to the list. With the way Barcelona were playing, it wouldn't have mattered if this game was staged on the moon. Barcelona proved that they can win without the additional theatrics that have come to define their game in recent weeks. Diving, flopping, excessive acting, crowding the referee begging for a card; there was none of that today, just pure football played the only way Barcelona can play.
Barcelona did what we knew they were going to do; control possession using short passes and try to create openings with their "off the ball" running. If that doesn't work, play "keep away" until something happens. Worst case scenario; just wear them down with the short passing game. They had the lion's share of possession; in fact it was a share so big, it could have fed two lions.
Manchester United's defensive plan must have been to keep Barcelona in front of them and deny them any room to run, not allow any long passes or "off the ball" runners to get behind them. It seemed to work just fine, until Lionel Messi switched to "Beastmode" and scored from long range. The fact that he was even given room to run is beyond me. Still, he did what he seems to do really well give a little room to run and look at the goal; he scored.
David Villa saw Messi and raised him one, scoring a sublime goal from outside the box after a United turnover (you're welcome, Nani!!). There was about 20 minutes left to play, but that goal was enough to set off celebrations from Barcelona faithful. There wasn't going to be one of those famous Manchester United comebacks that we have so become accustomed to.
I'll give credit where it's due; Barcelona executed their game plan so well, that it prevented United from executing theirs. Without the ball, there's only so much you can do. In my opinion, they should have been a lot braver and challenged Barcelona a little harder. They should have at least tried to impose their will in the game. It's not like this team has never beaten Barcelona before.
In the offseason, I'm looking forward to Sir Alex doing something, anything, to improve the midfield. They were so pre-occupied running back to defend, that they didn’t' have much going forward by way of creativity. We already know that the goalkeeper is a major priority, but a big time “attack minded” midfielder could really help going forward.
It was a rather sad ending to what had been an illustrious career for goalie Edwin van der Sar. It would have been nice to have seen him exit the game on a winning note, kind of like Schmeichel's last game for United. It was just not meant to be however. Still, it's been a great run for him and he'll forever be remembered for his heroics in Moscow, helping United to Champions League glory 40 years after they had won their first one.
This wasn't one of the better United sides in recent seasons. I'm not trying to make excuses or anything of the sort. Barcelona was heads and shoulders above everyone else, and that is why they are celebrating, while I'm stuck typing this article. United can look at the positives; they got this far with a less than stellar team.
I know Sir Alex will go back to the drawing board, and work on getting some key players to help the team get back to the finals. Hopefully, there’s still a few more nights of European glory left in him before he calls time on his career. Until then, Congrats Barcelona.
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