Ok , from the perspective of a cule, let’s be honest: it was not one of those magical nights we’ve got used to with Barca.
Sure, we paid tribute to that Victor Valdes block, celebrated Villa’s goal, and forgot how many oles we cried- so many passes did Barca make, for long periods, without interruption. But Valdes later let in a howler, Messi threatened but was incapable of delivering, Pedro was non existant., and Pique got another yellow card which means he will miss the second leg. In the end our defence crumpled before Arsenal’s counter-offensive. We missed the rallying cry of Pujol.
And yet thanks partly to the Arsenal fans, the defeat did not feel like a humiliation. The mutual respect between fans of the opposing teams showed on a crowded tube train to Holloway station, and afterwards in the stadium and its surroundings , persisted through the night. This was not Stamford Bridge. These are two teams that know the true meaning of good football.
I already have a ticket to the second-leg in the Nou Camp and am looking forward to it. I have a feeling that the outcome will decide which of the two will reach Wembley.Barca not only should do it. They must. If nothing else I want to relish the sight of Pep Guardiola lifting a trophy in the stadium just like he did as a player- with that other ‘dream team’.
Arsenal, as you must know Jimmy, have for a very long time been known as a “boring” team. During the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s the chant was heard up and down the country as they churned out a dull style often winning just by a goal. Wenger changed that but it has been 5 years, yes FIVE long years since their “beautiful” game has failed to win one single trophy. Meanwhile the powerful and majestic football of Chelsea, the number one London team, has brought the club 3 Premier Leagues and 2 FA Cups…… now that is what I call good football!
Give me the West London Blue fans, and electric rivalry any day, far more fun than the “nice & friendly” fans of the Gunners who are oh so boring. Football in England is as much about fans as the players. Go to Stamford Bridge, Anfield, Elland Road… and see the authentic Premier League, the wonderful spontaneous chants, something you will never find in the spanking new nice Emirate stadium….. a stadium that empties out 15 minutes before the end of Premiership games as the Gunner fans prefer a hassle free journey back home than cheer their team to the end.
Now their arch rival the Spurs, had a wonderful result in an aggressive and explosive game in Milan. Much more interesting, watching a “real” game of football, where possession is often lost, but both teams are fighting. Give me the blood and fire of Gattuso and the magnificent Joe Jordan standing his ground, then the boring embrace of Cesc and Xavi at the end of the game. What are they doing embracing each other when there is a vital second leg to be played out???
I have to agree with some of Carlos statements. The sanitised atmosphere of the Emirate Stadium is boring. I was there when my team Newcastle (Barca is my Spanish team) beat them earlier in the season 1-0, the atmosphere was rubbish (apart from in the Newcastle end). Also the comment on hostile atmospheres, the recent classic 4-4 game between Newcastle – Arsenal at SJP is a case in point. It is a fact that Arsenal capitulated against a wall of noise from the SJP terraces a fact recognised by players of both teams…..that atmosphere was far from friendly as the boys from London were rattled by sheer Geordie passion. By the way as an aside does that mean NUFC are better than the mighty Barca after having taken 4 pts off the Gunners this season?????
PS: Barca will get to Wembley….but will anyone be able to afford to go???
Why is there such a mistaken belief that chanting fans represent superior support? Times have changed boys.We pay money to watch decent, skillful football,not thugs head butting assistant managers!I am not averse to having a good old chant, but I want to watch the game, and I’m not so stupid as to believe that my singing will make a difference to a player’s performance.
Crawley Town supporters out-chanted Man U on Saturday, because it was their day, and everyone, including Man U wanted them to enjoy it, and they did. The game was a bit too close for comfort though, and I think the Man U supporters were dumbstruck wondering whether Rooney would give the same type of performance against Marseilles next week. We shall see.
By the way,Carlos, the Chelsea supporters don’t have to leave early to beat the traffic as their chauffeurs are all waiting outside;and since when has Elland Road been a Premiership Venue???
And Tony, Please ask your boys to stop taking their shirts off. I sit in the North Stand at Old Trafford and it’s putting me off my chanting.
Last but not least, Jimmy. I don’t think Arsenal will get to the CL Final, which means Barca will win the next game.But I don’t really want to meet Barca in the final either.
Prawn, you are as bad as our host Jimmy. You both want to make football squeeky clean and 100% possession play by your team……how boring could it get?! Give me Gattuso jostling with Big Joe Jordan any day over a nice Cesc & Xavi hug. Football is intrinsically aggresive (but don’t get me wrong, I don’t support cold bloody violence).
Of course you are right re Elland Road, its just in the 60/70’s, when I most went to the Bridge, the rivalry was so intense that I still think they are in the 1st Division. And talking about aggression, you should see the 1970 FA Cup Replay when we won the FA Cup in the replayed final at Old Trafford. Sheer aggresion in its purest form. In todays game I dont think a single player from either team would still be on the pitch – they would have all been sent off!
Hey Carlos! I remember it well. I’m older than you think.Jimmy and I are both of the era when oranges with razor blades stuck in them were thrown into the crowd by neighbouring rival supporters and you took a stanley knife to the game. I remember those times, but I don’t want them back. That’s why we were so thrilled to watch the skill of the Brazilians and our one and only George Best dribbling past ‘Bites your legs’Hunter.That’s why we have the game we have now(Although I do concede it could be a bit more physical),even I cringe with embarrassment when Nani rolls over again and again. He doesn’t need to, but it’s part of his culture too. You’ll have to let me think about what I think my perfect game ever was. As far as those two teams all being sent off, they wouldn’t even have made it IN to the team!
You cringe with Nani? At times I want to throttle Drogba…….. I am also of your generation, and was priveleged to have seen Best, Charlton, Hurst, Moore….etc play. Though I didn’t see too much blood on the terraces, they were violent times and more than once I was caught up with skinhead thugs, from West Ham, Leeds, Man Utd trying to take the Shed. I almost prefer those electric times to the quiet, boring fan that the new game has introduced, so apparent at the Emirates. However, as everything in life, a balance is positive and, yes, the skill has increased, there are very few knives in the stadiums, but……it was fun more fun before……
What did we do with only Match of the Day on a Saturday night? At times I feel that there are only the odd 30 minutes in every 24 hours without football on tv and subsequently much of my planned work never gets done. As I write, I am half watching,Copenhagan v Chelsea, Lyon v Real Madrid whilst keeping an eye on all the other scores in the Premiership and Championship…..If there is a drought of action I can always have Man U TV where I can watch the reserves etc. and they say the youth of today are glued to their games consoles!
Very envious of you having seen Best live.I worked in London during the dizzy heights of the Peter Osgood era,when Best was at Fulham with Rodney Marsh, but spent my time at Dukes Meadows,Chiswick, involved in the amateur game, with sex drugs and rock and roll taking up the rest of my time.I do like this site; very civilised methinks, a great place for football fans in their dotage.
Yes, I too was sitting in my armchair this week (beer and other goodies being consumed – yes some habits never die), and also watched the CL, from Denmark of course on Tuesday, a rather dull game and yesterdays from Marseille, even duller. Am returning from my home in Madrid early next week to catch the Chelsea v Man Utd game on Tuesday, so as this site is, as you rightly put it, a great place for football fans in their dotage, how about a friendly drink before the game with hopefully our blog host Jimmy joining in?!!