Barcelona have been crowned world champions for the first time ever after 120 truly scintillating minutes of epic football. After going a goal behind, Pedro equalised with just a minute to go, and Messi scored the title-winning goal in extra time.
If there is one team that deserved this, then that team was FC Barcelona. Once again they had to come from behind, once again they did that by playing consistent, patient and frankly outstanding football. They were vastly superior to the gritty Argentinian outfit and also had to deal with some bizarre refereeing decisions. For Estudiantes, it was a matter of taking the lead through Boselli and then hanging onto their lead at whatever cost.
And they almost got what they wanted. But then in the 89th minute Pedro did what the injured Iniesta did against Chelsea and equalised just when it looked like the dream could be over. The tension was unbearable as the game went into extra time, but Barça looked as solid as ever and stayed faithful to the football that has achieved so much this year. The Argentinians were tiring more and more, and finally it was their compatriot Leo Messi who grabbed the winner, with his chest! And that was it. Barça have finally won their first ever Clubs World Cup, and an unrepeatable 2009 is over in which the club has won all six of the titles in play. It is impossible to have asked for more!
Balanced opening
The game started with both sides testing each other. The first chance fell to Estudiantes, the second to Barça, and then Xavi squandered a chance when he was through on the keeper. From then on, it was an evenly matched affair, and that was all thanks to the permissiveness of the referee, who seemed far readier to penalise Barça’s free kicks, and following a series of tough challenges on Leo Messi, even had the audacity to book him for diving.
Referee and Boselli
This was the game Estudiantes wanted. It was a stop-start affair, and Barça couldn’t get things flowing the way they like. It was a hard-hitting encounter, and Estudiantes clearly weren’t in Abu Dhabi to play beautiful football. With the game-plan based almost entirely on counter attacks, their three centre backs certainly managed to thwart most of Barcelona’s plans. And to typify the way things were going, a delightful Barça move ended with Albil clearly bringing down Xavi. A red card and a penalty seemed the obvious solution, but the referee preferred to award a goal kick.
Five minutes later, Estudiantes went on a rare break, and a cross from the left from Díaz was met by Boselli, who beat both Puyol and Abidal to the ball. The leading goalscorer in the Copa Libertadores may have been a few inches offside, but there was nothing Valdés could do about his header.
Danger down the left
Like in the semi final against Atlante, there was plenty of time to react. Guardiola maintained the calm, but did send on Pedro in place of Keita to gain some movement down the wings and take some of the physicality out of midfield. There was already enough of that thanks to the Argentinians, while Barça needed to get the game flowing the way they like. The improvements came. Henry and Ibrahimovic constantly found themselves in dangerous positions, but the goal just didn’t want to come.
Pedro seals the miracle
It was a non-stop onslaught on the ‘Pincharrata’ goal. Guardiola even moved Piqué into an attacking position, thus providing an alternative to Ibrahimovic, who just wasn’t having his day. And it was the centre back who managed to get his head onto the ball to send it towards Perdo, who never fails from that position. Just when it had looked like Barcelona were going to suffer a cruel and undeserved defeat, Pedro was there to take the game into extra time.
Jeffren makes ground
Touré and Jeffren had already come on for Busquets and Henry when the goal was scored, and both contributed to the continuation of a game in which Barça dominated possession in extraordinary fashion. Meanwhile, Estudiantes were clearly demoralised, but more importantly, physically exhausted. The way Jeffren had Clemente beaten for pace was creating chance after chance, but after 105 minutes, it was still 1-1.
The best team wins
The Argentinians were clearly hoping to run down the clock and chance their luck in a penalty shoot-out. Barça don’t play football that way. They only like to win by showing that they are the better team. And they did, and all thanks to the best player in the world. Alves crossed from the right, and there was Messi to send the ball goalward with his chest, or perhaps better put, with his heart, the ball striking him just where the crest of his beloved club appears on the famous Barça shirt. It was one of the most beautiful moments in the entire history of this incredible club. The crowning moment for a team that has rewritten the history books.
Author: Barcelona Offical site, Roger Bogunya
Barcelona FC have been crowned "King Of The World"
Change of manager at City: Roberto Mancini has taken over with Brian Kidd as his Assistant Coach
“Prior to the current season beginning, with significant investment in players and infrastructure in place, the consensus between the Board and coaching staff was that appropriate agreed targets should be set for the 2009/2010 season", said Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
“The targets were agreed as a result of the player acquisition strategy of the club being radically accelerated in the summer as a result of very favourable conditions for any buying club. It was also based on the fact that the infrastructure of the club had been overhauled completely at great cost in order to create the best possible environment for the team.
“A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set. Sheikh Mansour and the Board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change. This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career.”
Manchester City Football Club can confirm the appointment, with immediate effect on a permanent contract, of Roberto Mancini and are also pleased to announce that Brian Kidd will join Roberto as assistant manager.
Commenting on the appointment, Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Roberto is a hugely experienced manager with a proven track record of winning trophies and championships. His experience and track record speak for themselves. What is absolutely clear is that Roberto believes in Manchester City’s potential to achieve at the highest level and importantly in his own ability to make this happen. My hope is that our incredible fans will join us in welcoming Roberto to the football club.”
Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges have also left the Club and further appointments will be announced in due course.
Author: Man City Offical site, Chris Bailey
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