Barcelona – Manchester United post-match comment
Well, you’ve just seen the greatest ever Barca. Treble. The devastation of El Classico II. More than 150 goals. Finally, the art of the game show the true class. Flair, passing-core, individualistic and box-dribbling versus tactical, safety first and long shooters. First 10 minutes, Barca struggling to keep possession. MU having their best chance but couldn’t execute it. Poor Cristiano. Samuel’s goal is a turning point for Barca. Cool pass from Andres to Samuel. Samuel did classically to check-off from Nemanja and Michael and slotted superbly past Edwin. Great escape and finishing. Since then, Barca took control the game with their passing around the opponent game. MU chasing the shadow of Barca’s passing-minded game for most minutes. Most of MU players are frustrating especially Wayne. The game is already over as Samuel scored but Lionel just sealing it with a sweet header. A master pass from Xavi finished off by the shortest player on the pitch, I guess. Okay, let’s go to individual performance.
Victor – He’s not one of the best goalkeepers but he did well. 7/10
Edwin – He’s the saviour for him team. Indeed he used his experience very well. To be beaten at near-post is bad for any goalkeeper. 7/10
Carles – Two attempts on goal. Not doing much in attacking play. Covered ground very well. Got pace to stop Wayne and of course frustrating Cristiano. 8.5/10
John – Did well to track back Thierry. Doing nothing in attacking play. 6/10
Sylvinho – Lack of pace. Didn’t want to play pacey game. His overlap is useless most of the time but still doing good job in defense department. 6.5/10
Patrice – One of United best performer. Trying hard in attacking but couldn’t connect well with Wayne. Did well in closing down. 7/10
Yaya – Having good game. Not much he can do. Did well in aerial battle. Covered space well. 6.5/10
Rio – Did well to shrugged-off the threats from Lionel & Co. Misjudged Xavi’s cross. Organised his defend very well. 5.5/10
Gerard – My man of the match. Did perfectly in clearing the killer-ball. Read the game very well. Is the heart of the defense for Barca. 9.5/10
Nemanja – Having a tough game. Nervous when being pressured. But still having a good partnering with Rio. Has to be blamed for first goal. 4.5/10
Sergio – Don’t know what his function. Covered spaces superbly. Cool aerial challenges. Try to play simple game. Didn’t help much the attacker. 7.5/10.
Michael – Spanish-midfielder wannabe. Couldn’t open the space. Couldn’t stop Xavi from moving around. 5/10
Xavi – Top-class act from him. The creator for most attacking moves. Great assist from him. Superb vision. 9/10
Anderson – The most ineffective player on the pitch. Couldn’t help the forwards. Did well in closing down. He’s not into the game. Wrong selection by Alex. 3/10
Andres – Eagerly want to make attacking move. Cool close control. Tiptop pass and vision to Samuel. Not up to his standard as he could do better. 8/10
Park – Great pressuring skills from him. But still couldn’t do much in attacking play. 5.5/10
Thierry – Not at his best. Couldn’t get past john most of the times. The only anonymous for Barca. 6.5/10
Wayne – Played too wide. Couldn’t read the game very well. Not connecting well with a pass from his mates. 5/10
Lionel – Should be the best player in the world. Making a loads of fun at United defense even though being marked by three players. Lose lots of balls. Superb header. 9/10
Ryan – Not enjoying short pass game from Barca. Not reading game very well. Lack of ideas of course. 4.5/10
Samuel – World-class finishing. Done superbly for his goal. Played wide to give space for Lionel. Dangerous in attacking play. 8.5/10
Cristiano – The only United ‘attacker’. Poor finishing. Couldn’t get off from Carles most of the times. Bad game for a player in such reputation. 6/10
Carlos – Working hard to keep pressuring Barca players. Couldn’t find a single clear opportunity. 5.5/10
Paul – Too slow for a pacey pass-game from Barca. Couldn’t get into the game. Should be red-carded for tackle on Sergio. 4/10
Dimitar – Didn’t get useful ball. Not his game. 4.5/10
Seydou – Did well in covering the ground. Didn’t run forwards much. Seen flocking around most of the times at the center of the pitch. 6/10
Pedro – Tactical change. Not rated.
In conclusion, Alex picked the wrong approach. Defense is not the best way to fight against Spanish team. Barca did well in dominating possession as they always did this season. I wonder if Barca goes into the game like they did against Madrid what would be the result. United was too cagey. They tried to close all the spaces in the meantime they gave a hefty spaces for Barca’s midfielders.United managed to lock Samuel and Thierry but not Lionel, Xavi and Andres, which are the main ideas of Barca. So, the best team from Spanish La Liga has won the UEFA Champions League and also the first Spanish club won the treble.
