As simple as it sounds Real played Barca right off the pitch tonight and claimed a spot in the Copa Final. They did it in emphatic fashion. They scored more than 2 goals and won by 2, almost 3 goals. These are things that are very foreign to Barca over the past 5 years.
When I look back the things that really stuck out to me were the following;
It was foolish of Roura to make the point about the ref. I thought the game was fairly officiated, but there was no reason to make that a story and it was very un-Barca like.
I've made my point on that lineup. You can start Inesta or Cesc upfront against average La Liga sides, but the better sides have figured out they are not as dangerous when they do. Ray Hudson said it best. It's easier to counter on them when they aren't as dangerous upfront. I thought this was a huge tactical mistake given the poor result at the San Siro and the good play of Tello and Villa on the weekend. I was yelling at the TV when they announced the lineup.
When have you ever heard the Barca crowd chanting for a player to come on the pitch? David Villa should feel vindicated.
When have you ever seen Cesc happy to come off in a match they were losing? I think even he had to know his performance wasn't up to par.
Xavi was hurt a few weeks back, but came back in time for the UCL tie. He did not look good to me in any of the last three games. I think he came back to soon and the staff is afraid to make the tough decision to sit him in favor of fresher legs. I don't think Xavi has lost a step. He's been pretty amazing all season. I just think he came back too quick from this latest injury. You can see in his passing there is just not the snap or the sharpness. I hope he is rested over the next few matches.
Even Milan didn't steal so many passes from Barca. Madrid were all over the passing lanes and created a ton of chances out of those steals.
Cesc was pretty open for some attacks on goal, but because he botched a lot of them Messi started to hesitate in giving him the ball and it cost them a few of their best chances.
Pedro has been flat. He's just not getting himself into any good positions. His crucial miss in the first leg did come back to bite Barca.
I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. The side is not dead or falling apart. It's not the end of an era. Barca are clearly in a slump by their standards. Out of the Copa and almost out of the UCL. I'm only suggesting one key change. Play three true strikers upfront against Milan and any key matches that might occur the rest of the way.
There were some things to be positive about.
The fan support to start the match was insane. I've heard the Nou Camp loud, but that took it up to another level.
Saturday may not mean much, but a win in Madrid would be some quick revenge. Barca has the week off following so they can afford to go out guns a blazing.
The Copa and Spanish Super Cup were the two trophies Barca got last season and everyone said they didn't mean all that much. Ronaldo claimed he should have gotten the Balon D'or just based on winning the league. So, it's not really worth getting all that upset about.
We will get our coach back!
King Eric will see the pitch soon!
Messi is a long way from retiring.
The UCL is not over and it's a chance for us to right the ship.
We've got the league.
We have a lot to be thankful for.
Win or lose when we play Real it's the GAME. The atmosphere was off the charts and I can't wait for the next one. If we don't drop one every now and again then it would lose it's luster.
I'll sleep easy tonight and so should all the other Barca fans because this is why the game is so great.
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