Spanish Football | Soccer

The below late goal by FC Barcelona defender PIQUE in the 83rd min put Barça ahead even if it was off-side, however it was not enough as FC BARCELONA did manage to win 1-0 INTER MILAN but was knocked out of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE via a 2-3 aggregate advatage to the Italians. Watch the VIDEO of the only goal scored of the game:

It was obvious from the start that Barça would go out & take the initiative looking for the 2 goals that would qualify them for the Final, while Inter would be more observant & would defend their 1º leg goals advantage. However, everything would change in the 27th min when Inter midfieder MOTTA was given a red card (second yellow) after an incident with Barça midfielder Busquets. This left Inter with 10 men & Coach Mourinho had to reorganize & change totally his teams game into "defensive mode".

Inter Milan, lead tactically by their Coach José Mourinho, showed us tonight text book defending. If the "art of defending in Football" is ever to be tought at the University this match will be the classic case study for analisis. Perfect zone marking & total team sacrifice that shut out Barcelona & Inter with only 10 men. This off course was complemented with all the "tricks" of the trade that is famous in Italian Football; like stopping the game, extended time via injuries, side-line ball knock outs, arguing with the referee; in a nut shell "maestros" of the art.

The Italian defence was so perfect tonight with just 10 men that Messi was shut off, Ibarhimovic was cancelled out & later substituted, Xavi was relatively halted & Dani Alves held under control. FC Barcelona had 75-80 % of ball possesion & failed to take advantage to reach their 2 goal objective. This must tell us something, that Inter Milan overall ( 1º & 2º leg) was much better, more intelligent & rightly deserved to go through into the Champions League Final against Bayern Munich the 22nd of May in Madrid.

Perhaps, only perhaps, the "obsession" that Mourinho claimed in the pre-press conference yesterday that FC Barcelona had to get into the rivals (Real Madrid) home ground & win the Champions League, may have blurred Barça´s global vision of things, as tonight they fell straight into the Inter & Mourinho ambush. Coach Guardiola was beaten by "The Special One" who used all his craft - Football & Psychology - to out smart his opponent.

Sad night for Camp Barça & Spanish Football overall, but well played & deserved win for Inter Milan who I wish lots of luck. Now FC Barcelona must get itself together quickly & recompose themselves as they have another fierce battle ahead; the Spanish League Title fight with Real Madrid.

Unknown said...: i think its harsh to say that only inter players did those tricks, busquets should be banned for ruining the game, he even peeked to see if he should stop rolling or not. Dani alves and messi both dived at least twice in the penalty box. While finally the camp nou officials showed their bitterness by opening the sprinklers on the coaches and players who were celebrating. a first in world football. not to mention valdes shove of mourinho.

Madrid will be clean come the final; 12:17 am
STRIKER said...: Mazen 316, when I say "tricks" referring to Inter, I say it in the most respectful way.

In reference to FCB - Busquets it is part of the game...like it or not... tricks = experience.

There was a lot of tension tonight on the field...on the edge competition.

The sprinklers yes ...bad losers syndrome ...; 1:02 am
Wulfy said...: Part of the game it may be, but it shouldn't be. Diving, play acting, "invisible card showing" should all carry yellow card punishment... players might think twice about it if it ends up getting them banned.; 10:17 pm