‘We love football’

Barcelona’s scintillating display in Saturday’s Champions League final not only earned them a third European triumph in five years, it cemented their place in the pantheon of sporting greats. Kevin Azzopardi reminisces on an unforgettable night at Wembley Stadium

If Sir Alex Ferguson says they are the best side he has ever faced in his glittering managerial career, then they must be very special.

Two years after their emphatic dismissal of Manchester United in Rome, Barcelona conjured up another exhibition of majestic football as they outclassed the English cham-pions to capture their fourth European Cup at that iconic football stadium that is Wembley.

It is a measure of the greatness of this Barcelona side that they made Manchester United look ordinary on way to winning Saturday’s final 3-1. As much as it pains me to admit it, United were outshone by a team who, after this latest triumph, justified their status as the one of the greatest, probably the greatest, club side ever.

As a lifelong United fan, Saturday’s defeat was hard to take but first and foremost, I’m a football man and Barcelona embody all the extraordinary values associated with the Beautiful Game.

As the two teams stepped onto the pitch for kick-off, the Barca fans held up shiny placards to unfurl the message: “We love football”.

It was probably a cheeky swipe at their bitter rivals, Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, whose spoiling tactics in their semi-final defeat to Barcelona attracted widespread criticism, but it also set the tone for another swashbuckling display by Pep Guardiola’s artists.

Barcelona showed that they play football the right way.

Indeed, I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to watch this final, my fourth in a row, at this majestic stadium.

Yes, I had hoped for a different outcome but I knew that United had a mountain to climb to overcome Barcelona and stifle the brilliance of Lionel Messi.

Winning a record 19th Premier League title had heightened hope that United might upset the odds but the Catalan giants reside on another planet at present.

As in all Champions League finals, the atmosphere was electric as 87,695 fans streamed into Wembley for this much-awaited showdown. The flag-waving Barcelona supporters were in the seats hours before kick-off while the majority of United fans left it late to make their way into the stadium.

United’s ebullient approach in the opening 10 minutes suggested that Ferguson’s men were up for it but it was a false dawn as all routes seemed to lead to Edwin van der Sar’s goal once Barcelona’s “passing carousel” got going.

After Wayne Rooney cancelled out Pedro’s 27th minute opener, United were widely expected to improve in the second half but Barcelona reasserted their dominance to pass United off the pitch as goals by Messi and David Villa sealed a richly deserved win.

Watching from the press zone, I couldn’t but marvel at Barcelona’s flowing football. Their passing, the speed of their movement, on and off the ball, and their mental strength make them a delight to watch. No wonder football journalists, especially in Spain, are running out of superlatives to describe this team.

United have some very good players but they never came close to matching Barca’s standards.

Everywhere you looked, Barcelona had players who could inflict damage on their opponents. Messi was irresistible, unstoppable, the greatest player I’ve seen, while Xavi and Andres Iniesta were equally impressive.

Whenever Messi gets the ball, you expect fireworks. You get the feeling that Messi and the ball are best mates, they are almost inseparable.

“They do mesmerise you with their passing,” Ferguson said after the match.

“We never really controlled Messi. When we got that lifeline from Rooney, I expected us to do better but it was not to be.”

“Lionel is the best player I’ve ever seen, probably the best ever,” Guardiola said. “He made the difference. Messi is unique, a one-off. I just hope he doesn’t get fed up.

“When he doesn’t play well it is because something is wrong with his environment. Let’s hope he can continue playing well.”

The environment, the stage, was perfect for Messi to showcase his unique talent on Saturday.

At the final whistle, everyone inside the stadium applauded the winners as well as the losers who were gracious in defeat.

The victorious Barcelona players shook hands with their vanquished opponents while the United fans chorused “We love United, we do”.

There were no shenanigans, no trouble, only admiration and respect between two great clubs. This is why we love football.

We were there... Maltese give their views on final

Bjorn Vassallo, the Malta FA CEO, said Barcelona were a joy to watch.

“When there is such a technical gulf between two sides that have reached the final, you can’t but applaud every majestic move that football can offer, even if you support the opposing team,” Vassallo said.

“I could see a packed stadium savouring the magic of Barcelona.”

Sports photographer Domenic Aquilina, who was covering his seventh consecutive Champions League final, said the 2011 edition will be remembered for Bar-celona’s brilliance.

“It was one of the best finals I’ve been to but the most memorable was my first, the famous Istanbul final when Liverpool came from 3-0 down to beat Milan on penalties. That was an incredible match.

“Barcelona have been magnificent this season, the best team I’ve ever seen. Liverpool won it in 2005 but lost the final two years later.

“Barcelona have won three finals between 2006 and 2011 and that’s the mark of a great side.”

Freelance photographer Paul Zammit Cutajar, who was shooting his third final in a row, said United played in the right spirit but Barcelona were unplayable on the day.

“A fantastic game of flowing football in which the better team won,” Zammit Cutajar said.

“All respect to Man. U for playing in the true sporting spirit of the game in spite of being outplayed. They gave their best and that is all that could be asked of them.”

Ray Calleja (banker, TV sports journalist) said: “The biggest statement that we witnessed something very special from a superb team came from a manager of the stature of Sir Alex who’s so proud of his team and record but openly admitted that his side were given a hiding!”

kazzopardi@timesofmalta.com