New direct play wins it for Barca in treble glory
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WINNING goals from Luis Suarez and Neymar on the counter-attack to sink Juventus in the UEFA Champions League final encapsulated the new direct play from Barcelona that saw it become the first European side to win the treble for the second time.
Suarez has provided an acute understanding and extra fire power following his comeback from a biting ban last October and is the final piece of the jigsaw in an attacking trident for Barcelona that is devastating to watch.
The Uruguayan perhaps did not have his best game for Barcelona but he was still heavily influential in defeating Juventus with his predatory instincts seeing him pounce and slot home the ball after Lionel Messi’s initial shot was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.
When Barcelona last won the treble in 2009 it accomplished it through ball possession and short passing but now it is at its most dangerous on the breakaway.
It was after Alvaro Morata had equalized for Juventus and the Italians were bossing the game at 1-1 that Messi found the space in the lead up to Suarez’s goal and similarly in injury time Neymar sealed the win on another counter.
“We knew about his quality and his record,” said Luis Enrique at a news conference, referring to Suarez, who joined Barcelona from Liverpool ahead of this campaign. “The only doubt was whether he was going to be able to adapt here. You can now see it has worked out. He has an incredible hunger and desire to win trophies.”
The coach also praised the contribution of Messi and Neymar. “Messi is our key player and the second goal was his. We are very happy with him and he gave us what he has been giving us all this season.
“Last year (Neymar) had a very good season despite it being the first (at the club). Now he has developed and he has been spectacular. He demonstrated that he is one of the best players in the world.”
Barcelona has found solidity in defense and the impact of 45-year-old Enrique’s work on strategy at set-plays has clearly worked as it is no longer such a weak point. But still it has been the three forwards that have made the difference.
Barcelona has now won five European titles, four of which came in the last decade after its 2006, 2009 and 2011 triumphs.
However, Enrique is yet to commit to a second season ahead of the club’s presidential elections as he has had a tense relationship with current incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu.
“I want to celebrate the win, but the time will come when decisions must be made,” said Enrique. “It’s been a difficult year with lots of transition, but I have to thank all those who have trusted me to lead Barcelona.”
Juventus suffered the unwanted fate of becoming the first team to lose six European Cup finals, 30 years after winning the trophy for the first time which was overshadowed by the Heysel Stadium disaster.
Despite brief moments of magic, Messi failed to become the first player to score in three Champions League finals as he along with captain Andres Iniesta and Barcelona icon Xavi Hernandez — in his final match for the club — equalled Dutch star Clarence Seedorf’s tally of four winners’ medals.
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