Match Report – FC Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United

Competition: Champions League, Final
Kick-Off & Date: 7:45pm, Saturday, 28th May 2011
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London (Neutral)
Attendance: 87,695


It’s not often that your left feeling devastated as a Manchester United supporter, but Saturday night proved a step too far for Sir Alex Ferguson’s current Red Devils. An in-form Barcelona side tore United to shreds at times on the Wembley pitch, with goals from Pedro Rodriguez, Lionel Messi and David Villa securing The Catalans the 2011 UEFA Champions League trophy, after Wayne Rooney had brought the teams level for half time…

Sir Alex Ferguson started with Edwin Van Der Sar – making his last United appearance – in goals, with Fabio Da Silva, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic (captain) and Patrice Evra at the back. Antonio Valencia started on the right wing, with Michael Carrick and Ji-Sung Park in central midfield, as Ryan Giggs played on the left flank. Up-front were Wayne Rooney and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, while Dimitar Berbatov was left out of the squad. 

The Reds got off the the best of starts, shocking Barcelona with an ‘in-your-face’ attitude to the game. Carrick and Park combined well in the centre to stamp-out any signs of attack, while Ferdinand and Vidic appeared stronger than ever at centre-back. However, United’s dominant spell resulted in precious little as Barca roared into life. The animal had woken, and it was Pedro Rodriguez who had the first real chance for either side.
 
Pedro’s shot was wayward, but Pep Guardiola’s men weren’t. ‘Pass, pass, pass’ he shouted in Spanish, with the visitors now threatening to open their account in London. David Villa tested Van Der Sar, while Vidic made a world-class tackle on Leo Messi inside the box to prevent a certain goal. But there was no preventing Pedro Rodriguez’ effort. Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez created the space, Pedro exploited it. First blood Barcelona. 

Carrick and Giggs were beaten with one pass from Xavi, a ball which also caught Ferdinand and Evra out of position for Pedro to knock the ball past Vidic’ outstretched leg and send VDS the wrong way. United fans were livid with their side’s downfall – especially Evra – who should have been man-marking Pedro. Sir Alex will argue that isn’t the United way, but then again it’s the only method of stopping a team like the La Liga Champions.

The Premier League Champions responded to the crowd, stringing together some better attacks. But that revival was short lived, as Barcelona kept possesion for minutes on end. Slowly, Fergie’s team got back into the game again. There were flashes of the 2009 Final in Rome, where a sluggish United were beaten 2-0 by The Spanish giants. However, The Reds on the pitch were focused on the task ahead… Scoring.

Barca lost possesion in their own half from a throw-in, and Rooney – receiving the ball – played a one-two with Fabio on the right-hand side, before doing the same with Carrick. Wazza raced towards the Barcelona backline, and with their defenders converging, he played a through ball to Giggsy – level with the backs – who took one touch and placed the ball back in Roo’s path. The 25-year-old’s shot came straight out of the top drawer. Game on. 

Rooney’s 24th UEFA Champions League goal looked as though it was going to be his most important yet, with the tide now turning in The Reds’ favour. United had scored – something they failed to do in 2009. But Barca maintained their keep-ball ideology, attempting to get their noses ahead once more. 10 minutes elapsed, and despite Guardiola’s side coming close, they couldn’t take the lead. Iniesta and Messi wasting the best chances. 

At half-time, onlookers knew the balance could be tipped either way. It was the Spanish Champions v English Champions, and they were level at 1-1. The second half brought about no changes to either line-up, as FCB knocked on MUFC’s door again. Dani Alves tried his luck, only to be closed-down by Van Der Sar, while Messi’s tame rebound was headed wide by Pat Evra before it could cross the line. 

On 54 minutes, Lionel Messi was allowed far too much space as he took his shot away. The 23-year-old’s strike was bound for the middle of the goal, but Van Der Sar was wrong-footed in the build-up and couldn’t scramble back to halt the Argentine from putting Barcelona back into the lead. They well and truly deserved it, after outsmarting United in every department, but to give away a goal as cheap as Messi’s was unforgivable. 

Vidic and Ferdinand did all they could to keep United in the game, but Fabio’s inexperience showed, while Evra was off with the fairies. In midfield, Park worked hard but Carrick was far too hesitant for a European Cup Final. Valencia put some tackles in, but received no supply whatsoever. Giggs might as well have got an injunction preventing the ball being passed to him, while Rooney and Chicharito were practically helpless in attack. 

Xavi and Iniesta’s attempts to put Barca further into the lead were foiled, while Messi’s cheeky heel-flick was cleared off the line by Fabio. Referee Viktor Kassai started to impose himself in the match, riling United players and fans alike for his petty stoppages in play. Things were getting worse for SAF’s Red Army, with Chicharito caught offside on too many occasions. It wasn’t long before Barcelona killed-off their prey. 

69 minutes had gone since the 7:45pm kick-off, and Barca were still in command. Luis Nani replaced an injured Fabio Da Silva, before Messi swivelled and swerved in the box, advancing past substitute Nani, and defenders Evra and Ferdinand, before losing the ball in United’s box. Carrick ridiculously passed back to Nani in the area, who inexplicably lost the ball to Sergio Busquets. He passed to Villa – approaching the box – to score Barca’s third.

Manchester United deserved the hiding, especially when doing the simple things wrong in such a massive event. The best team on the globe aren’t going to lie down unless you make them, and if anything the world’s largest club encouraged the world’s most talented club to play the Barcelona way. It was too late to ask for a fightback, and United never even tried to kick-start one, as an ineffective Carrick made way for Paul Scholes.

Three goals from three mistakes, and one goal (Rooney’s) from one clinical build-up. FC Barcelona are undoubtedly Kings Of Europe at the moment, but United could have made their task of winning a fourth Champions League Final harder. They didn’t, and that’s football, at least fans can take heart from the fact that Ferguson’s XI were better equipped to tackle Barca, and scored a then leveller unlike our last outing in Italy.

2nd best in Europe isn’t too bad, there’s no great shame in being beaten by one of the teams of the century, and becoming the most successful Barclays Premier League is one hell of a phenomenal achievement. Hats-off to Barcelona, a well-earned victory over United. And remember, there’s always next season !…

(And this summer, when the sides meet again. This time in Washington DC, USA for a Pre-Season Friendly)

United Team: Edwin Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Fabio Da Silva (Luis Nani ’69), Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick (Paul Scholes ’77), Antonio Valencia, Ji-Sung Park, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez.

Goals: Rooney ’34
Bookings: Carrick ’61, Valencia ’79

• Video Highlights: Barcelona 3-1 United

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