So the touted 'final of the decade' is over. And we cant help but think that it was more of a "most one sided final of the decade'.
Yes, Braca we good. Very good, in fact. So much so that United, riding high on 'knocking pool of the perch', looked like a bunch of schoolboys (except Rooney, Vidic, and some others). having qualified for a final on luck and then not knowing what to do once they are in it.
So what went wrong for United?
1. Midfield: Giggs against Xavi/Iniesta - Are you kidding me, Fergie? Sure, Giggs is an experienced player, But he is a winger; he is 37; and no amount of Yoga can help him cope with the finest midfield partnership in Europe. Fergie is well known to make bizarre tactical decisions in such big games. remember the Bolimquist blunder in 99? theres more, like playing Giggs on the right wing against juve (i think), playing Cantona as a lone striker, and of course, playing Ronaldo as a lone striker in 2009, where unlike yesterday, they were the overwhelming favourites to win in Rome.
2. Play the ball on the Ground: Why did United play so many long balls? Are they afraid of playing the ball on the ground, through the wings, like they do in the EPL? Why do you need to change your game because you are playing the so called 'European opposition' ?
3. Evra: He has been poor defensively AND going forward this season. His poor positioning and sylvestre-beating heart in the mouth defending has given away many goals this season, and yesterday he was plainly responsible for Pedro's goal, which started off Barca in good stead.
4. Wingless wonders. except that there were no wonders. Where was Valencia? he played practically as a defender yesterday, as United found themselves under the cosh most of the time. It dint help that they were attempting silly long balls instead of playing their normal game.
