I have to admit that sometimes I thank God I can watch certain matches in the comfort of my sitting room. This is not because I am a couch potato by nature, or that Madrid is cold and wet at this time of year (as is Bar & Co, the boat on the Thames where I sometimes gather with fellow cules) , but because sometimes TV gives you a perspective on a match which you simply cannot capture sitting or standing in the cheapest seat you can get in the stadium, or with your thoughts distracted by too many journalistic colleagues, typing to deadline.
Last night was one such occasion. Full marks and possibly a medal should go to the TV director who made sure that at several moments in the Real-Madrid-FC Barcelona match I had the benefit of an aerial view of the Bernabeu stadium and the play within. From that angle, several metaphors came to mind, as Barca systematically came back from 0-1 down and confirmed themselves as the superior team.
I know this is not the first time you will read choreography or ballet or poetry in motion as a description of the intricate movement of Pep Guardiola’s boys- but this was the equivalent of a good night at Sadler’s Wells, watched from the Gods. Lest I be accused of being one-sided, there were elements too of a chess game, with move and counter move reflecting the idiosyncracy and ambition of two of world football’s great tacticians. But the overriding image was one of a fresh mountain stream manoeuvring its way through rugged terrain.
This was a Real Madrid that after Ronaldo’s brilliant run and executed first goal, retreated behind its lines, thereafter resorting to hostile defensive tactics and occasional forays by its special operations corps. Mourinho’s campaign of brutal attrition was personified –yet again- by his leading thug Pepe who, no doubt elevated to hero status by some elements of the Ultra Surs, pushed, and hacked, and trampled his way through the game.
By contrast Barca showed that its genius lies in its disciplined and imaginative collective-the way that all the players patiently involve themselves in the build up play, and how , when it comes to creating goals, each player’s level is raised thanks to the inspiration and support of one player in particular. To watch Abidal pick up on Messi’s beautifully timed lob, and hit it home past Casillas, was to a get a sense of the beauty –and effectiveness- in solidarity. It also showed Barca’s wonderful ability to surprise us just when you thought their game was becoming predictable.
Typical of the spirit, endeavour, and talent of this very special Barca team is Alexis Sanchez –for me, the man of the match last night- who with his extraordinary energy, speed, and resourcefulness across the breadth and depth of the pitch, is proving one of the most astute signings of the Guardiola era. Happy Birthday Pep!
73% possession tells its own story. If we had taken our chances the scoreline would have had a fairer reflection. I can only recall Benzema’s chance after the Ronaldo goal.
A shame that Mou has to resort to thug tactics – hes better than that
Robert from Sanlucar; “It was like watching Stoke City play Barca”
Pere from Barcelona: “Qué gran post, Jimmy!!! No nos cansaremos nunca de elogiar a este equipo y su capacidad para re-inventarse constantemente, para buscar nuevas y audaces soluciones a las propuestas supuestamente contra restadoras de los equipos rivales. Y las de ayer del RM, fueron especialmente rácanas y de equipo pequeño. Me sorprendió mucho el planteamiento de Mou, tan pobre tácticamente y de tan escasa ambición futbolística. ¿y este se va vanagloriando de ser el mejor entrenador del mundo? Que fueran Puyol y Abidal los jugadores que ayer marcaron en el Bernabéu no deja de ser una sublimación del fútbol total y máximamente dinámico a que juega este Barça. Comparativamente, la naranja mecánica de los ’70 queda relegada a una vulgar aceituna En fin, qué grande es la experiencia que estamos viviendo con este Barça. Amigo, y qué bien sabes transmitirlo a través de tus escritos. Y lo que nos queda!!”
Hola Pere: Si, debi de mencionar el gol maravillpso de Pujol- igual casi que el que marco en SudAfrica para la Roja
Great post! At times last night, the game resembled a Mixed Martial Arts match. I’m so happy the soccer artists beat the martial artists. I think one of the many reasons why I love FC Barcelona is because there is such great artistry in how they play. And that artistry results in great beauty — Abidal running into space to receive Messi’s perfectly lobbed ball, for instance. Every great artist requires a soaring imagination, which, in turn, is the fuel to their creativity. I think, ultimately, what brings me the most joy when I watch FC Barcelona is that they play so intelligently, with the carefree creativity of children — and the precision of surgeons. Albert Einstein could have been describing Barca when he said once: “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” It certainly is fun to watch that concept in action whenever Barca plays.
“Confirmed themselves as the superior team”!!! We are talking Copa del Rey which the Catalans dismissed as irrelevant last year, of course, that was after after they lost to Real Madrid…
Jimmy, just take a look at the League table. You will notice Real Madrid are 5 points clear (still), and with a superior goal difference……
So which is the superior team?… Only one in Spain: the team from Madrid which consistantly performs better than any other.