I'm not very pleased with the match, but I'm delighted with the title. I didn't witness the 92' triumph so this was extraordinary for me.
I thought we played well as a team, because no one really stood out with their performance, except Valdes and maybe Larsson.
The thing that puzzles me is the switch in positions between Eto'o and Ronaldinho. I didn't understand that, but I'm sure as hell glad Rijkaard recognized his mistake after Campbell had scored. I don't quite get what Frank wanted with that formation. Eto'o was on the left, marked by Eboue. He had a few nice moves and you could see he tried really hard, but it just wasn't the right decision. Eto'o went past that awesome Eboue only once, every other time he either lost the ball because he couldn't dribble past, or he sent it back to a midfielder seeing that he wouldn't make it through. I'm sure we would have had more chances had Ronaldinho been placed on the left from the start, being a better dribbler than Eto'o. And personally. I'd never put a playmaking genious at the striker position. The striker is supposed to finish off attacks, and Ronaldinho is a builder, he's the one who makes the final pass before the goal. I really don't see how this could work.
Valdes amazed me. I'll never ever badmouth him again. He saved four one-on-ones, three from Henry and one from Ljungberg. After he had saved Henry's best chance of the game, I thought to myself «If we win this, it'll be Valdes' trophy!» And from where I'm standing, it truly is. Those four brilliant saves happened while we were one-nil down. For me he was the man of the match, with Larsson second best. Not only did Valdes save those four potential match-winners, but he also didn't commit a single mistake during the course of the game. At least I didn't see any. I am so glad this happened in the final because if you can pull a performance like this in the biggest of all matches, then you're true quality. I'm happy when a player proves me wrong, in the good way!
The biggest letdown was Gio. He didn't do a god damn thing and we really missed the left flank. While Eto'o was there, something was happening because he tried to play like a winger, but later on, when Ronaldinho came, the flank went missing as Ronaldinho is a free role and won't exactly run into the corner flag to cross the ball. I think one of the reasons Arsenal managed to hold us off for so long was that we basically only had the right flank, with the super-tired Giuly who really put in an effort and died on the pitch and Oleguer who cannot even be considered an option for that position because he can't cross, and the centre of the field where Deco wasn't at the level we had expected, Bommel who disappointed with his performance and Ronaldinho who seemed a different player, apart from the pass that left Eto'o alone with Lehmann. So during most of the match our right flank had one tired player, the left flank was empty because Gio was too afraid to do anything as he passed the ball to the nearest player the second he got it, and our middle filled with mistakes. Thinking about all that with a cool head now, it's no wonder we didn't pose a huge threat to them until the 75th minute. Speaking of letdowns, Ronaldinho deserved a highlight as well. I don't know what happened to him last night but he wasn't himself. He tried to be the only player we had and it was a bit too much. The pressure of being the best player in the world clearly got to him as he thought he needed to do everything by himself. It's a shame, really. If he hadn't been under the impression that he should stun the stadium, he would have had a decent game at least, and we would have been more dangerous to Arsenal. He has the same problem as Eto'o in the league. The moment his Pichichi award actually becomes a competition between two players, he panics and starts doing everything alone, trying to do the impossible and force the ball into the net. That's what Ronaldinho tried, but you just can't force your way through a defense that hadn't conceded for 919 minutes. It could and should have been so much better...
Rijkaard delighted me with his moves. I was glad to see Henke and Iniesta, but when I saw Belletti on the sideline, I became really afraid. I had expected Xavi to be brought in to increase control in the middle, but luckly I'm not coaching Barca as Rijkaard's substitution turned out to be a success. All three of them, in fact. Iniesta brought fresh blood to the centre of the pitch where we needed it, Larsson was awesome up front and Belletti was the final blow. I am really amazed at his influence on the game. I see now what Rijkaard wanted to do. He had Oleguer as his RB to stop Arsenal's attacks, knowing that if all goes as planned, we will have a calm ending to the match maintaining our lead. But if things go south, he can bring in Belletti, increase attacking power and hope something comes out of it. And look what came out. Who would have thought that Belletti would be the scorer of the goal that will bring us the Champions League? Not me, that's for sure. The goal surprised me a bit, but that's least important. Bravo, Belletti.
Larsson. Wow. He came on and changed our fate. He really is the King. I think about how we let him sign for Helsingborg and it makes me wanna ram my head into a wall. Well, that team won't have to worry about titles anymore.
Valdes – 10, MOM, he did everything right, and if it hadn't been for him, Eto'o's goal wouldn't mean that much as I think we would have lost the game.
Puyol – 8, the captain had the hardest task of keeping Henry quiet and I can't really say he did a terrific job, but Henry didn't score, and Puyol actually didn't do anything wrong as you can't say it's a defender's mistake when Henry goes past him.
Marquez – 7, same as Puyol only he wasn't that efficient in defense and he sent a few lousy balls upfront, but bravo for challenging Henry and clearing corner kicks.
Oleguer – 6, he was solid, though he was short for the goal Campbell scored.
Gio – I won't rate him. I could say a lot of nasty things about him now but I won't, don't wanna spoil the mood.
Edmilson – 6, nothing special either, the decision to sub him off was right.
Van Bommel – 5, nothing, he disappointed me. Iniesta is a better option.
Deco – 6, he could have done more, I was under the impression that he made quite a few inaccurate passes and that sometimes he should have acted more quickly.
Ronaldinho – 6, it's a six because he at least tried and, after all, he made the brilliant pass to Eto'o after which Lehmann got sent off.
Giuly – 7, ran a lot, tried a lot, scored a regular goal, good performance by him, he left his soul out there.
Eto'o – 8, he tried everything on the left, he did a lot upfront, scored the equalizer and was one of the few things that kept my hopes alive when everything seemed like it would end in sadness.
Iniesta – 7, that's the Iniesta we all know and love, he came in and gave rebirth to our midfield.
Larsson – 9, he saved us, and even though he wasn't the scorer, he made crucial passes and gave us the cup, second player of the game IMO
Belletti – 8, match winner, he brought us the happiest moment in years. For me it was the happiest football moment of my life. He is another player I'll never trash-talk again.
Barcelona – Champions of Europe. Oh how beautiful that sounds. I'm so proud. And what makes me even prouder is the fact that everyone agrees we deserve this. It's good to have recognition from other people, not just a trophy replica.
In some ten years, when most of these heroes are done playing, people will say «Yes, those were champions.» People will remember this season and the way our icons played.
It's official now. FC Barcelona has a new dream team.
) even if he verbally batters me like so many trailer park hussies who get their comeuppance for not having the six pack properly chilled by the time their husbands return from a long day at the city dump. Despite that though, I cannot bring myself to do GA for Mora, vato.
