Brilliant Barca wins it in style
Source: Agencies |
May 30, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PEP Guardiola's Barcelona cemented its place in soccer's pantheon when it overwhelmed Manchester United 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League final to lift the European Cup for the fourth time on Saturday.
Goals by Pedro, the inspirational Lionel Messi and David Villa were a minimal reflection of the Spanish side's dominance over United, who it also beat in the 2009 final, as it lit up the Wembley night with its brilliance.
Wayne Rooney briefly leveled the score but United was powerless to stop Barcelona making it three European Cup triumphs in six years.
In an emotional presentation ceremony the giant trophy, for long the symbol of Barcelona's existence in the shadow of bitter rival Real Madrid, was hoisted by French fullback Eric Abidal, back in action after an operation to remove a liver tumor in March. Saturday's triumph means that only Liverpool, AC Milan and Real have won more European Cups than Barcelona's four.
"It's the way we played I'm most proud of," Guardiola said after his side consistently passed its way through and around a defense that had previously not conceded a single Champions League goal away from Old Trafford this season.
"The people watching could see that we not only won but we played a brilliant match," the former midfielder added.
United manager Alex Ferguson had no complaints as his third final in four years ended with a second defeat.
"Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it because they play the right way and they enjoy their football," he said after his newly-crowned English Premier League champion mustered only one shot on goal all night.
In fact, for the first 10 minutes amid a fantastic atmosphere, the United were very sharp - snapping into every tackle and pressing hard. However, just as in Rome two years ago, Barcelona settled into its rhythm and soon took control.
United defended desperately at times but were eventually undone after 27 minutes when Xavi delayed his pass just long enough to create space for Pedro to tuck the ball beyond Edwin van der Sar, who endured a night to forget in the final game of his career.
United fashioned a well-made equalizer after 34 minutes when Rooney played a one-two with Ryan Giggs before sweeping the ball high into the net.
After more near misses, Barcelona duly went ahead in the 54th when United fatally stood off Messi on the edge of the box and the Argentine maestro drove the ball in for the 53rd and most important goal of his remarkable season. It was also his 12th in 13 Champions League games this campaign, equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy's record tally for United in 2002/03.
Villa then curled a superb shot into the top corner in the 69th and it was game over.
Goals by Pedro, the inspirational Lionel Messi and David Villa were a minimal reflection of the Spanish side's dominance over United, who it also beat in the 2009 final, as it lit up the Wembley night with its brilliance.
Wayne Rooney briefly leveled the score but United was powerless to stop Barcelona making it three European Cup triumphs in six years.
In an emotional presentation ceremony the giant trophy, for long the symbol of Barcelona's existence in the shadow of bitter rival Real Madrid, was hoisted by French fullback Eric Abidal, back in action after an operation to remove a liver tumor in March. Saturday's triumph means that only Liverpool, AC Milan and Real have won more European Cups than Barcelona's four.
"It's the way we played I'm most proud of," Guardiola said after his side consistently passed its way through and around a defense that had previously not conceded a single Champions League goal away from Old Trafford this season.
"The people watching could see that we not only won but we played a brilliant match," the former midfielder added.
United manager Alex Ferguson had no complaints as his third final in four years ended with a second defeat.
"Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it because they play the right way and they enjoy their football," he said after his newly-crowned English Premier League champion mustered only one shot on goal all night.
In fact, for the first 10 minutes amid a fantastic atmosphere, the United were very sharp - snapping into every tackle and pressing hard. However, just as in Rome two years ago, Barcelona settled into its rhythm and soon took control.
United defended desperately at times but were eventually undone after 27 minutes when Xavi delayed his pass just long enough to create space for Pedro to tuck the ball beyond Edwin van der Sar, who endured a night to forget in the final game of his career.
United fashioned a well-made equalizer after 34 minutes when Rooney played a one-two with Ryan Giggs before sweeping the ball high into the net.
After more near misses, Barcelona duly went ahead in the 54th when United fatally stood off Messi on the edge of the box and the Argentine maestro drove the ball in for the 53rd and most important goal of his remarkable season. It was also his 12th in 13 Champions League games this campaign, equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy's record tally for United in 2002/03.
Villa then curled a superb shot into the top corner in the 69th and it was game over.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
