Because that my friends is the only way Bayern are going to Berlin to play a final and not for a picnic with frankfurters and fishsticks. There is NO way and there is NO known strategy for Bayern shifting three G's against Barcelona without Robben and Ribery on the pitch. Sounds harsh, maybe unfair, but the truth hurts. Better to just face up to it and move forward.
The undercurrent I thought would have been interesting are the two former teammates. And you know you are slowly getting old when you totally remember when these cats were in the prime of their careers. What is interesting is how their styles of play on the pitch has translated into two different types of Barcelona.
Pep was a typical almost stereotypical central midfielder. Very good control, always playing with his head up and the pass was the first thing on his mind. He was never one to try and beat players or try an outrageous chip. It was all about using the ball and his teammates, and it was that ethos that built the foundation of tic-tac-toe, a philosophy that has a few more detractors than many would want to admit. On the other hand, you had Luis Enrique. A far more passionate player who was more attack-minded and forward thinking than Pep. He would be the one that would try and take a shot or just try and run a few more yards before passing or shooting. That attack-minded approach has been what he's brought to Barcelona, who just look a far more deadly force going forward than at any time with Pep.
I must even thank Robby C from the forums, who reminded me that Pep's two champions league wins came under strange circumstances. Some of the refereeing decisions were very odd and sketchy in the Chelsea and Real Madrid semis. But even though we all called Luis Enrique a clown at the start of the season, the way he has made Barcelona play and built a synergy with that front three has made them incredible to watch. PSG and Bayern in the first leg both got barbecued and skewered, with no referee having to make any kind of decision to favor them.
The worst thing that can happen to Bayern and Pep tonight is a loss. At least let them walk away with some sort of win. For Barcelona to beat them again, in BOTH legs would be even worse than the beatdown Madrid gave them last season. And Pep may have reiterated he is staying for another season, but it would leave a very sour taste on the tongue if they get their asses handed to them again, at the cribb. Also, with the players losing faith as Matthaus claims, you would have to wonder whether the next year will really bring in any improvement.
Barcelona are in Berlin and there is nothing, legally, that Bayern can do to stop that. They can at least give their fans something by winning the game and building for next year, whilst Barcelona are looking at what would be a far greater treble than the other two they achieved under Pep.
HH
Sent from the Hut
