Barca is translated
So Mourinho has done it again. Having studiously followed the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing side, the arch tactician brought out the best in his own players and managed to make Pep Guardiola’s passing game, on the night, look not just ineffectual but tedious.
This was a memorable game, but for the wrong reasons: a couple of poor referee decisions (one of which should have been a Barca penalty),Ibra-yet again-undeserving of his price tag- a dysfunctional defence, and worst of all, a Messi lacking all inspiration. Was I alone in fearing the worst when he walked out for the second half, looking vague and uninterested, as if he’d just been pulled out of bed?
And yes it was Mourinho’s night: calculating that even the greatest can lose it if pressed upon sufficiently, and that players react to leadership, however old or discredited by others- Zanetti, Schneider, Etoo. At San Siro, it was the Inter players that looked more like the gladiators. To blame Barca’s tired performance on a coach ride was a poor excuse for a team that should not allowed themselves to be lost in translation.
Let’s hope for football’s sake, that we get back to the original version at the Camp Nou.
Forza Jose…preening show ponies get a lesson in proper football from
the Special One…again.
Having had time to digest the game last night…
Barca looked lethargic…. as they did against Espanyol… The Frustration of Xavi said it all… as he remonstrated at his teamates in the second half for giving him nothing up front to pass too.. The flowing movement was missing the spark not there…
Inter were oraganised, dogged and quick to break.. The Blaugrana back four looked creeky all game… Last season we had our share of the breaks against Chelsea.. last night they went the other way.. (Two penalties denied and an offside third goal)
There is a lot to do next week but it can be done… The last thirty minutes last night will be a vision of what is to come next week.. Extreme Barca pressure and resolute Inter defence… The question is, will the dam break or will it hold… if nothing else, Jose commands respect… a vast inprovement to the team Barca met earlier in the competition.
As Paddy said, FORZA JOSE. He is GOD. He made Messi disappear and you have to question the “star” as if he fades in the big games and for Argentina too, he has to be seriously questioned. Yes Mr Burns, the true gladiators were from Italy and Barcelona continues to fail against the truly great teams such as Chelsea, Manchester Utd (2 yrs ago), Milan, etc. So easy to do well in a minor League, so difficult when you come up against real opposition. Mourinho will control Wednesday’s game and go onto to the final. Barcelona will then have to avoid imploding if they are to win any silver this season. Off to se the Blues continue their march for the Double!