Guardiola and Ferguson
In the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday it could be argued that both managers suffered a touch of sentimentality when they announced their line ups before kick-off. Even if neither decision was that surprising, sentiment is not a guaranteed reward in a world that does not render to such emotions, with one man bound to pay a price for their choices. In the end it was Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw one of the clubs longest serving players look every bit of his age on Saturday, bringing to a close a week that Ryan Giggs might spend little time recounting when he reflects on things in the future.
On the other hand Pep Guardiola's masterful selection of Eric Abidal, only 71 days after he had a tumour removed from his liver, shows the depth of camaraderie amongst the Barca squad, which also saw the French international collect the trophy from Michel Platini at the end of the match. Indeed, it must have been unimaginable in the pre-match dressing room to see the club captain Carles Puyol not even start. But then his niggling injury problems over recent weeks meant that Abidal reclaimed his place at left back.
For Abidal, who missed the final in Rome through suspension, it was more than a satisfactory way to end a period of absolute turmoil, and one that by his own admission, has become life changing – en very aspect of his life. No doubt the support his club, the manager and teammates went a long way in this challenging period. In the case of Giggs he will need similar support if he is to enjoy next season given he extended his contract until June 2012. By then Giggs will have completed 21 seasons at United.
His performance at Wembley, against a superb Catalan side, highlighted that against a strong opposition midfield is not a place where he should be and that fact must have become clear even to Sir Alex Ferguson, Surprisingly he failed to switch on Saturday night and as a result the Wembley final did not end with a fairy-tale for either man.
In fact, there were times during the match that United showed signs that the hairdryer formula – that seemingly works so well in the Premier League -scaring off their high rolling rivals year on year, may be out dated. And not for the first time in Europe has Ferguson been caught short on the tactical side of things, with Guardiola’s side seemingly able to deliver virtuoso performances all around the field – with ease.
Which says much about the 19th title and the standard of the Barclays Premier League.
On closer analysis part of Manchester United’s problem was that over the past few months they were never really tested. Not in the quarter finals, or indeed by Schalke 04 in the semi-finals. Nor indeed in the round of last 16 when they travelled to Marseille for the second leg holding a 2-1 home win on the score board. The ensuing nil all draw proved all too easy.
In the group stages drawing another British side, albeit from the Scottish Premier League, proved a no contest with a score draw at home following a 1-0 victory at Ibrox in November. The matches against Valencia and Bursapor proved lightweight wins too, both of which would have taught Sir Alex very little. If the competition were run like Wimbledon tennis, the tops clubs like United should get byes and avoid those early stages which really add nothing...
In the case of Barcelona they had to impose themselves in a group with Copenhagen, Rubin and Panathinaikos, which they negotiated without loss. The round of last 16 brought them up against 2009 finalists, Arsenal, who came closest to derailing the Barca project this season. The quarter-finals it was Shakthar Donetsk and the reward for that win was a double header against Real Madrid.
A pity the draw was not the reverse, as Mourinho may have had fun undoing United given his tactically astuteness, and armed with his current Real squad.
To be fair, United's last meaningful Champions League encounter against any European aristocrats was last spring when over two legs they failed to eliminate Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, despite snatching a valuable away goal at the Allianz Arena. In the return leg at Old Trafford they cruised to a 3-2 aggregate scoreline within 40 minutes, after goals from Darron Gibson and Nani. But history records that goals from Ivica Olic and Arjen Robben were still to come, and United would go out of the competition, losing on away goals on their home ground.
With that in mind, what would hurt Sir Alex most, as he reflects over the Wembley carcass, is that his match plan didn't hinder Barcelona at all for 80 minutes, except for the early quarter. It was only during this short period that the rhythm of the Catalans was tested in any way. Arguably, had it gone on longer, Rooney and Compnay, might have made the eventual winners work a bit harder. But the exact same thing happened in Rome two years ago when United were marginal favourites and so there is little solace in such thoiughts.
For the ardent fans of the Premier League though, it should be a wake up call to the gulf in class with other European leagues and help put into better context the weekly message that the Barclays is the “best” league in the world. For any doubters, another look at the 90 minutes between Barcelona and Manchester United at Wembley should reverse any lingering thoughts.
The speedy kick and rush that so typifies the weekly encounters across Britain are no match for a skillful possession game. The fact that every Barcelona player is at ease receiving the ball - even if they are closely marked – just comfortable in the knowledge that the easiest soltuoon is a pass back to where the ball came from. The added effect being, opponents get dizzy.
In contrast in the Premier League the philosophy is more akin to, when in doubt, kick it out.
It is amazing such simplicity created havoc for the Premier champions; allowing players get pulled and dragged out of position, not by feet, but by yards. So much so, that for each Barcelona goal the matching marker from United was missing in action, allowing Pedro, Villa and Messi deliver stunning goals. As former Real Madrid and Barcelona player and current coach of Real Mallorca said this season: "We all know how to beat Barcelona, but actually doing it is different".
But it can be done, as Inter Milan proved last season in the Champions League semi-final, when Barcelona were dispatched 3-2 on aggregate - with Mourinho ‘s men playing 60 minutes at the Nou Camp with only 10 men - after Thiago Motta was sent off for a tackle on Sergio Busquets. However to do so, requires much self-belief and that might have been the something the United players have left on the team bus
In terms of the here and now though, whether this Barca side is the best ever to grace the game is a debate for public houses and those seeking late night discourse. What is clear that a fourth European title places now places them with the mid 1970’s Bayern Munich team of Maier, Beckenbauer, Mueller, Hoeness and Breitner. And also the Ajax team of the early part of that decade, with Neeskens, Keizer, Hulshoff, Rep, Krol, Suurbier, Haan and Johan Cruyff. Only Liverpool, Milan and Real Madrid have gathered more silverware.
Regardless whether Johan Cruyff’s view is correct and Guardiola leaves the club this summer, this team will win more titles for sure. And at 40 years of age Pep still has more to do, be it at Camp Nou or at Old Trafford – were he to be offered a job. For Barcelona though it will be business as usual which was perfectly summarised once more by Laudrup:
"Cruyff defined a philosophy and a style of how we had to play: positional play, type of players, the profile of the coaches even… If Guardiola leaves, or Puyol, or whoever… others will come in and that line will continue."
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