Appalling Barca

They call it the 'El Clasico'. It was Round 3 in space of 2 weeks and fourth game between Real Madrid and Barcelona this season. Barcelona had beaten the Mourinho-led side 5-0 in the first meeting of the season which highlighted the gaping difference between the two sides. That game was a treat to any football lover. Two weeks back, they faced each other this time at Bernabeau and the game finished 1-1 with Madrid coming from behind. A few days later, in King's Cup tournament Real Madrid beat Barcelona 1-0 to make them feel they are on even terms as Catalan giants. The Special One had delivered a trophy in his inimitable style, the tactics and the motto that he lives by - winning is all that matters leaving the task of beautiful football can to Barcelona.

So what was different this time when the two faced off in the Champions league Semi Finals?
It all started with Jose Mourinho who took a jibe at Guardiola's way of dealing with referees. Guardiola then replied back with expletive comments saying Jose is the Master and can play his seperate Champions League outside the field. At this point, Jose's plan had worked and he had the Barca manager rattled under his skin. Put this in perspective and it promised to be humdinger of a match.

The first 10 minutes of the game was cagey as expected. Real Madrid showed little intention to attack. Infact in first 15 minutes of the game, Ronaldo was frustated already and waving to his players to come up in support and close down the Barca's middle-men. But instructions from Mourinho were very clear, forget the bus and airplane... he had set out his team as parking lot for a spacecraft. This was perfect opportunity for midgets like Xavi, Alves, Messi to play their passing game to perfection. Xavi, Villa and Ronaldo had shots at goal from distance and then the game started to settle down into patterns.

An air of shock and disgustness spread as things started to get out of control. A few notorious players pulling up some dirty tricks in order to unsettle the opponents. It started with Angel di Maria diving outside the box to avoid Alves challenge, it was followed by a few harmless series of free kicks easily cleared by Pique and Valdes. Then Barcelona took it to a whole new level of cheating ever seen in football. Pedro diving and feigning injury and his step brother Bussquets following the suit. All this was happening so fast, freekicks awarded at both ends and both set of players trying to outdo each other in winning a foul.

At halftime it was level, but pyschologically Barcelona had won the mini battle. The second half started in much the same way until Pepe went for a high studs up challenge. Frankly speaking the ball was there to be won and he was just a bit late allowing Alves to hold his ankle and sit down on the floor. What followed was a melee of Barcelona players pressuring referee into producing a red card for Pepe. However one cannot be sure what the ref was actually going to give if Barca players would not have surrounded him. When Pepe got his red card I wanted to give a smack on the face of Puyols, Piques and Pedros. They deserved a red more than Pepe. An unfortunate Mourinho also had to go to the stands for appreciating ref's brave decision. This changed the course of the whole game and it just opened up flood gates for Barcelona to attack and it resulted two goals, precious away goals.

Let's give credit to young Dutch lad, Ibrahim Afellay who put an inch perfect cross allowing Messi to score from close range. The second goal was a 'Maradonesque' effort from Leo Messi. A quick turn and busrt of pace and dribbling with his left foot, it was so quick that I didnt even see the 1-2 exchange with Bussquets and then turn of direction to beat 4 Madrid defenders before putting it past Iker Casillas. I would have put my entire month wager to watch that brilliant piece of action from Messi. He truly is a world class player!

And thats what I want to end the discussion with - when you have such world class players at your disposal, what is the need for Barcelona to pressurise the refs in giving a wrong decision? This hasnt happened for the first time... they have been cheating since 2006. I would like to hear from UEFA/Mr. Platini what they think about appalling behavior by few Barcelona players who deserve punishment for foul play? How long can UEFA protect Brand Barca and continue supporting them so that they win the CL every season? OR did 'The Special One' get his tactics wrong? He should have probably attacked more with Kaka and Benzema at home and then stayed put at Nou Camp. Has Pep Guardiola had the final laugh over Mourinho? At the moment, it seems like that because Mourinho has openly ranted in media about disgusting world that (he) lives in and has given up on his teams chances of winning at Nou Camp.

The two teams that I hate the most Man U and Barcelona will be in the CL Finals.
Wembley, Here We Come!!!