Miguel Delaney
1. Sometimes it’s best to forget the facts and enjoy the sense of fiction
In the grander context, it was a night of huge ramifications: one of the greatest teams of all time will be prevented from making history and retaining the Champions League; one of the worst Chelsea teams of the last decade could be crowned champions of Europe; defence beat attack.
But, sometimes, it’s best to temporarily overlook such major points and simply enjoy the more minor moments of wonder. Because, whatever you wanted out of the game and whoever you were rooting for, it was almost impossible not to be enthralled by the sheer sense of drama; by the very improbability of the story. Just look at the sub-plots, let alone the main story: John Terry’s red card, Ramires's screamer, Leo Messi’s miss, Fernando Torres’ redemption. Barcelona may remain a model club in terms of youth production; Roman Abramovich may ensure that Chelsea remain a dysfunctional basket-case. But, together, they produced a hell of a night.
This was cup football. This was theatre. And this, ultimately, was why we watch.
2. There are never any certainties in football
Over the last few years, we’ve experienced a rare period of excellence in the Champions League. Since 2007, after all, each of the competition’s winners have also won their domestic leagues. Similarly, certain truths seemed to have become set in stone about the individuals involved: John Terry, for all his faults, is an undeniable leader; Fernando Torres looks finished; Leo Messi is the ultimate big-game player. And, after all that, we seemed to have been building towards a peak in which the two undeniable best teams in the world – Barca and Real Madrid – would face off in the ultimate showdown. Instead, all of that was turned on its head last night. Torres illustrated old brilliance to shake Victor Valdes; Messi bottled the game’s moment of truth; Terry displayed his true colours. And, after all of that, a team that is in sixth place in the Premier League are in the final. It doesn’t seem to make sense. For once, it doesn't need to.
3. On a similar level, moments we see as key can often go down a course we don’t expect
At the moment John Terry was justifiably sent off for sheer malice and idiocy, the majority of people watching worldwide will have marked it as the game’s turning point. And it was. But not in the way everyone assumed.
Because, moments after the goal, Barca claimed their second.
That looked like it would bring an onslaught. Instead, it only brought complacency. Only a goal ahead, Barca started to play as if they were through.
They were caught.
And it’s arguable that, had Terry not been sent off, Barca might have built on the first goal in a more professional manner.
4. Barca are still undeniably brilliant... but their claim to be the best of all time is lessened
Whatever happens next with this Barcelona side, they will rightfully go down as a truly transcendent team. Given the heights their play has reached, it’s possible that – at their very best – they produced better football than anyone else in history.
But is that enough to make them the greatest in history?
Probably not.
Indeed, when it came right down to it, it’s arguable they squandered the chance. Twice. Despite everything that inferred it would happen, this team never retained the Champions League.
And, sure, they might be playing in an era when retaining the European Cup has been almost impossible. But, when it comes to judging the best of all time, you have to judge by the standards of all time – not from one given period. And consider how close they came.
In 2010 against Inter, a possession-based team were 1-0 up away from home.
Last night, a side as experienced as this were 2-0 up against 10 men.
Both are wasted opportunities. And, as magnificent as they’ve been, they will be the ultimate marks against them.
5. There’s an underappreciated honour in defending
In an argument connected to the above point, there was an inevitable – and somewhat understandable – backlash that it’s bad for football that a team as pure as Barca went out and a side as defensive as Chelsea went through.
On a certain level, that has a lot of merit. But, when you put it in context, it’s hard not to credit Chelsea for the effort and execution at the very least.
Because, when you break it down, the nature of Barcelona’s club infrastructure and integration means no-one can play proactive football like them. It’s also professional suicide to try do so against them. And, as a few key games have illustrated now, the only real way to beat them is to stop them.
Chelsea somehow managed that; they found a way to beat the best.
Sure, it wasn’t as clinical or as calculated as Inter’s display in 2010. But, in terms of primal resolve, it was arguably superior.
And, after everything that happened last night, it’s hard to begrudge them... even if you do prefer beauty to the beast.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/Nc8XuBCrdUM/post.aspx
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