The Fantastico

Arsenal just needed to defend their goal to add to the impressive 10 straight clean sheets en route to their first European Cup final. Arsenal was only 5 minutes short for a total of 1000 minutes without conceding a goal in Europe. Arsenal was just 15 minutes away from capturing the pinnacle of European football. But in a space of 5 minutes, two goals were scored and everything that they had achieved before was just not good enough to make sure the European Cup stays in England.

A game hyped by the prospect of watching arguably two of the best players in the world in the shape of Ronaldinho and Henry was justified not just by them but the overall performance of both teams. Great defending and attacking play can be seen all over the pitch but the game was decided by three great substitutions by Rijkaard. Innuesta, Larson and Balletti were introduced in the 2nd half and all three made an impact on the team performance. Innuesta was a constant threat with his runs and was putting the Arsenal defense under a lot of pressure. Larson created both goals while Balletti was at the end of a superb pass from Larson to score the winning goal and ensure Barca’s 2nd European Cup. Eto’o scored the equalizer after collecting another superb pass from Larson.

I do have to take my hats off to Arsenal though. Playing for almost 70 minutes with 10 men after Lehman was showed the red card in the 18th minute of the game, they actually went ahead when Campbell scored from a free kick by Henry. After a lot of pressure especially in the 2nd half in the heavy rain at Stade de France, fatigue took over them and surrendered two goals in the space of 5 minutes to seal their faith. No arguments about the sending off of Lehman but a few debated that Eto’o was offiside when he collected the pass but to me, Eto’o sheer pace push him through the defense.

Well, Barca capped an astonishing week for Spain sports. Seville wining the UEFA Cup, Pedrosa winning his first MotoGP in Beijing, Alonso became the first Spaniard to win the Spanish GP and Nadal put his name in the tennis record book for winning his 53rd straight win on clay……and the only thing that can outdo this astonishing and wonderful week of sport for the people of Spain is Spain being crowned as the World Cup champion come this July. Well, I think after the performance of Spanish teams in both European competitions…..they might be a real threat come this summer in Germany.

Well, that’s all for club football for now. Next…the World Cup and it is just 3 weeks away. Will be coming up with my own thoughts and predictions for the World Cup next…so we’ll see if I am a good football analyst as I think I am.