GLORY

Messiah wrote:

this won't be matched by any team for some time

Torrente wrote:

Messiah wrote:

this won't be matched by any team for some time

Let's hope La Liga is never so weak as it was last season, giving Barcelona several trophies by default

Torrente wrote:

Messiah wrote:

this won't be matched by any team for some time

Let's hope La Liga is never so weak as it was last season, giving Barcelona several trophies by default

Messiah wrote:

Torrente wrote:

Messiah wrote:

this won't be matched by any team for some time

Let's hope La Liga is never so weak as it was last season, giving Barcelona several trophies by default

lets hope we aren't as good as well were last season for the sake of la liga and the rest of europe.

666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

Santi Claus wrote:

Messiah wrote:

Torrente wrote:

Messiah wrote:

this won't be matched by any team for some time

Let's hope La Liga is never so weak as it was last season, giving Barcelona several trophies by default

lets hope we aren't as good as well were last season for the sake of la liga and the rest of europe.

666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

You aren't as good so that's that.

Congrats and all that but you really had to win this. Zlatan costs more than probably all of the other teams players put together so whilst nice, it's not really that big of a deal.

Santi Claus wrote:

Messiah wrote:

Torrente wrote:

Messiah wrote:

this won't be matched by any team for some time

Let's hope La Liga is never so weak as it was last season, giving Barcelona several trophies by default

lets hope we aren't as good as well were last season for the sake of la liga and the rest of europe.

666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

You aren't as good so that's that.

Congrats and all that but you really had to win this. Zlatan costs more than probably all of the other teams players put together so whilst nice, it's not really that big of a deal.

kas wrote:
- IMO Marquez, not Valdes, was to blame for the Atlante goal. Predictable

Messi Scored That Goal With His Heart - Guardiola

On the night when his team won an historic sixth title in one year, coach Pep Guardiola opened his heart to the watching world and cried, overcome by the emotion of what his team has achieved...


As the music bellowed out around the Sports City Stadium during the closing ceremony, dancers in fancy costumes peeled away on either side of the pitch. The two huge pennants in the colours of Barcelona and Estudientes were slowly pushed away. On one side of the stadium pockets of Estudientes fans cheered and waved their flags, on the other side a smaller number of Barca fans waved theirs. In between the remaining crowd numbering 43,000 and overwhelmingly supporting the Catalans, sat impatiently waiting for the kick off.

In the midst of it all strolled out the two teams. Both in their own way wanting to claim a piece of history. For Estudientes it was a matter of their first title in this competition in over forty years. The chance for a father and son to have won the trophy. They were led out by captain Juan Sebastian Veron, whose father helped Estudientes win the then named Intercontinental Cup in 1968 when they beat Manchester United. And then there was Barcelona, recognised as the best team in the world, but wanting the title to confirm it. Aiming for their sixth trophy in one year a feat never achieved by any club side anywhere in the world. As Sepp Blatter and company passed down the line with the ritual pre match handshakes, one wondered what exchange of words, if any, took place between himself and Thierry Henry. A FIFA Disciplinary Committee still has to take a decision about his handball incident which helped France reach the World Cup finals.

Over 120 minutes later Veron was laid out on the green baize, a spent force. He played with the magnificence of a prince, on the day of his impending coronation, and displayed the courage of a lion as he prompted and pushed, and led his Argentine team mates into battle. A winner in defeat, its easy to see how even at the age of 34 he is the linchpin of Argentina's ambitions in the World Cup in South Africa. But all around him were the celebrations of the team that has rewritten every history book on football you could ever care to think of. Six titles in just one year. It is so immense an achievement its worth listing them all, just so one can see written down exactly what the Blaugrana have won. The La Liga title, European Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, Club World Champions all won in 2009.

The project that Cruyff started (and still influences) all those years ago, is today a raging fire. The ideology of the club for developing its own superstars was highlighted in every respect in this game. It was the latest sensation to come out of the club's academy, Pedro, who scored the equaliser on 89 minutes. He has scored in all six title winning competitions. It was Gerard Pique, who left the academy, studied under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and then came back, who flicked the header onto him. It was the world's best player, who awaits his confirmation of that title in FIFA Headquarters in Zurich on Monday, Leo Messi, who came to Barcelona as 13 year old who scored the winner. And what a way to do it by chesting the ball into the net. And then there was another glimpse of the next generation. Jeffren who came on to replace Henry and who was devastating on the flank. Quicksilver down the line, this still raw unfinished product is brooding with excellence. He is a talent that when polished and ready for service,only goodness knows what he is capable of. Its easy to see why Barcelona only want a loan agreement for Robinho. The potential of what they have in reserve is far deadlier.

And then there is the leader, the organiser the man with the vision. He was the captain of Cruyff's Dream Team, he was the Dutchman's recommendation to take over from Rijkaard, he is also probably his best friend. Pep Guardiola, a product of the system is everything that is Barcelona. He has only been in in management at this level for over a year, but has done the whole shebang.. He has not only had the cake, but eaten the whole thing in one sitting. If Jose Mourihno is the “Special one” then Pep Guardiola is his God.

At the post match news conference, a tired, emotional Guardiola, answered every question put to him switching with ease from Spanish, to Catalan to English. Over the last week he has spoken about his affection for the Gulf region based on his time in Qatar. He has embraced all that has been put his way and he has accepted all the adulation with simple humility and finally with the open emotion as displayed on the pitch. The cameras picked out the moment, and showed it on the giant screens. The whole stadium erupted in applause and cheers as the crowd shouted his name. Asked what images were going through his mind in that moment, he said ultimately there were too many. In a previous news conference someone asked him what it felt like being being the favourites to win against Atlante. Guardiola replied, “Name me a match in which Barcelona isn't the favourite? Its something we just live with, but we never see ourselves as the favourite.” And in the end when this reporter asked him jokingly how long had the team been practicing Messi's chested goal routine. Guardiola got the joke and ran away with it.....

“Oh we've been training that routine every single day,” he told me. “In fact at half time I took Leo aside and told him I wanted a goal from him from that came from his heart. He scored that goal with his heart.”

It is, of course, a classic soundbite, a classic remark. For all that you have achieved, Mr Guardiola, we salute you.

Dualist wrote:Pep is being cruel to Yaya (like he got rid of Eto'o??). Apart from that, I love him. A statue should be built outside Nou Camp.

TITO wrote:I liked that comment in Goal.com review...
"If Mourinho is the Special one, then Pep must be his God".
Brilliant.

TITO wrote:I liked that comment in Goal.com review...
"If Mourinho is the Special one, then Pep must be his God".
Brilliant.

Puro wrote:

TITO wrote:I liked that comment in Goal.com review...
"If Mourinho is the Special one, then Pep must be his God".
Brilliant.

Pep Guardiola is simply the best. The guy wins EVERYTHING, and IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS MANAGER FFS!

We won't see this again in our lives. Enjoy it.

psanish media reactions to the CWC Final against Estudiantes at the Zayed stadium (2-1)2
Dec20

Barcelona was on the brink of defeat again, for the umpteenth time over the year – a historic 2009 – But rather than give in, this ‘Six-Cups Pep’s team’ showed their character, and for the umpteenth time, again overturned the final scoreline in their favour. It was another one of those matches that will live on in the minds of every cule, one of many with this Blaugrana team.

Barcelona’s goals again came courtesy of this tournament’s heroes; history-making ‘six-competitions goal-scorer’ Pedro Rodriguez (min. 89) and the deserving Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi (min. 110). Argentina’s Estudiantes consolation was scored by Boselli (min. 37).

As always we compiled first reactions from the top 4 Spanish sports newspaper to last night’s match.

Sport
‘An honour for Barcelona, the champions’

“Not for the first time a scandalously bad and shameful refereeing could keep Barcelona from ending their year in a historic fashion; by becoming another Cup champion,” is how the Catalan paper described the outcome of last night’s final.

“Barcelona had a very bad first half, the worst we’ve seen since Pep Guardiola took over as coach. The players appeared nervous and stiff, as if the significance of the match overwhelmed them; a lot of uncertainties, errors and very little good moves to point out. Xavi was particularly lost; with Iniesta sidelined, he was not able to stamp his authority in midfield. Good balls were not reaching the forwards and a disaster was written all over the match for them. One fact says it all, in the first 45 minutes not a single shot on goal.”

“And as if that was not bad enough, the officiating of Mexican referee Benito Archundia was simply shameful. Even though the 0-1 score line at the break was beyond reproach for him, it was just outrageous that a character like him could be allowed to oversee a Club World Cup final. Unless of course, that was what FIFA was hoping for…”

“The 0-1 came in the 37th minute, when Diaz made a perfect cross for Boselli to head, beating Valdes. It was practically Estudiantes only attack, but it was better than what Barcelona could muster. In those first 45 minutes, the Catalan side neither had the ball nor made any good combination moves. And of course, when no moves are created, it’s hard to win anything…”

“After the break, Pep Guardiola ushered in Pedro in place of Keita. The Canary-born player took over the right wing and Messi assumed the role of the attacking midfielder.”

“Barcelona was a very different side from the one playing in the first half. Estudiantes practically no longer existed. Its sole purpose was to challenge for the ball and to defend its lead tooth and nail.”

“The match was on its last death throes and still the goal did not come. But if at Stamford Bridge San (Saint) Andres Iniesta appeared, in the Zayed Stadium, it was San Pedro. With two minutes left, the player headed in the equaliser beyond the reach of Estudiante’s goalkeeper Albil, off an overhead cross from Pique.”

“The goal was justice for the effort the players put in the second 45, and the extra-time was their deserved reward.”

“In extra-time, Barcelona was the calmer side. They knew they have 30 minutes to score a goal, and the Estudiantes players were already tired and were emotionally affected by Pedro’s goal.”

“Barcelona spent virtually the entire first 15 minutes of extra-time in Estudiantes’ half of the pitch but was unable to find the goal.”

“In the next half, both teams were already very tired. But it is in these moments that great players usually came to the fore. Messi was the first to react to a Dani Alves searching long ball, chesting it into the back of the net. It was 1-2 to Barcelona.”

“They had managed to overcome a bad first half, and one of the most biased refereeing they have had to face in recent years to prove that they are the best; with their game, character, pride and in everything.”

“Congratulations, champions!”
El Mundo Deportivo
‘1-2: Barcelona, Champion of the World by defeating Estudiantes’

“Barcelona was proclaimed the Champion of the Club World Cup by defeating Estudiantes (1-2) in the final. It suffered and was a minute away from not being able accomplish the feat. In part it was because of their nervousness in the first half, and partly because of the disastrous performance of the Mexican referee Armando Archuna, first by denying Xavi the clearest of penalty and immediately afterwards permitted Boselli’s goal to stand when he was clearly in an offside position (1-0, min.36),” El Mundo Deportivo complains at the start of its article.

“Barcelona, the only club in the world capable of winning all of the official titles they competed in a year. The ‘Six-Cups Barca’ had completed the best year for the club since football clubs existed. Nobody, neither Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan, nor Alfredo di Stefano’s Real Madrid had accomplished what Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona has done.”

“Iniesta, whose strike at the Stamford Bridge opened the way for this final, was missing. But after the break, there was Pedro, the great Blaugrana hero, who already had his name engraved in gold in the history books for becoming the only football player to have managed to score in six different competitions in the same year.”

“This Saturday, the 19th of December of 2009, Pedro did it again. Coming in for Keita in the second half, into a Barcelona team that never stops believing, with a stellar Ibrahimovic, a tireless Alves, a trust-worthy Piqué, and with Pep Guardiola making an unprecedented move by playing Jeffren, in for Henry – a spectacular move, with an excellent Xavi, and Pedrito, now Don Pedro, whose header in the final minute overcame Albil to break once and for all the jinx with this trophy, that has already escaped them twice (1-1, min. 89).”

“In extra-time, Barcelona kept pummelling Estudiantes, unable to compete with the Champion of Europe physically and mentally. And the killer blow came from Messi, with the Ballon d’Or connecting with an Alves’ cross (1-2, min. 120).”

“Messi had given Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona an incredible year to be hailed not only as the best team in the World but also in the history of club football. And the titles back that up (Copa del Rey, la Liga, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup and the Club World Cup), apart from the results they achieved on their way to those titles (Madrid 2-6 Barca, Barca 4-0 Bayern, Barca 5-2 Lyons …) to prove it. They completed the perfect year that nobody will be able to overcome simply because Barcelona has won everything.”

“Visca Barca! and Viva la Vida!”

Marca
‘All-conquering Barca deserves to go down in history’

“History surrenders to Barcelona. The Blaugrana team, brand new World Champion and holder of the title of ‘The best team ever’ clinched its sixth title of the year in an epic final that is full of drama. Estudiantes made the most of its opportunity in the first half through Boselli that lasted until the final minute when an opportunistic Pedro appeared to ensure the match goes into extra-time. It was then that Barcelona, full of heart, symbolised by the resilient Messi, who made it 2-1, and sent Pep’s team to the top of the World; the only one managing to accomplish an exploit of such calibre. This Barca team is already legendary, unique in the history of this great sport,” summarised the Madrid based paper.

“Guardiola was spot on when he shed a tear after the match. December 19, 2009; remember this date. The day in which Barcelona was proclaimed the Champion of the World; a day in which ‘Pep’s Team’ will go down the annals of history as the only team capable of winning six titles that it competed in, a feat that will be very difficult to match. That’s why this team and this year can never be replicated again.”

“How can anyone ever repeat this? This Barcelona team won on its merit, with its own style of football and with heart. To look at the significance of this victory; it was a final where they had to suffer, full of excitement and drama because, among other things, they nearly failed to win the title.”

“’Pep’s Team’ now has the World at its feet, and the best team in the world had already clinched their recognition.”
AS
‘Messi completes Barcelona’s perfect circle’

“Barcelona already had the Club World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup of old that was missing from their resume, after a dramatic final in which it was left for dead and resuscitated by none other than Pedro, again,” AS starts its article.

“The Canary-born Player scored in regulation time and in extra-time, Barcelona pressed Estudiantes and their rival crumbled. Messi secured the victory, scoring by chesting the ball, that concluded a more than perfect year 2009.”

“They will go down in history as the perfect team, the year the Blaugrana team won six out of six titles possible. It will be the history of the hunger they have, of their style – elegant yet deadly – the marriage between art and obsessive effort.”

“And this is what Barcelona had demonstrated; the immense effort they put in to overcome their last obstacle, Estudiantes de La Plata, to win its first Club World Cup – the Intercontinental Cup version 2.0. The only blemish in its résumé erased the moment it ended a year that is like a dream for the Catalan club.”

“Guardiola had gone further because he walked in the footsteps of his great predecessors. His Barcelona, this triumphant team, brought together a respect for a tradition and a non-negotiable philosophy; Michels, Cruyff, Rijkaard … a road-map of Dutch footballing philosophy in all its dimensions that the Santpedor-born coach spent 25 of his 38 years of his life with.”

“La Masia, the club’s footballing school is the engine room that drives this team. La Masia’s, through its graduates, like it was in Rome and Monaco, again raised its flag in Abu Dhabi, this time with Pedro’s heroics – much more than a lucky player, and Messi – living up to more than his current status as the new Ballon d’Or.”

“Barcelona came back from almost being buried, to win their sixth title and to continue their non-losing streak in all competitions, except that is, for a handful of minor battles.”

“It was a year with numerous matches, a lot of finals, and so many appointments where they cannot fail against indistinguishable rivals.”

“With yesterday’s final already sealed, the team has finally completed a perfect circle that began 219 days ago at the final of the Copa del Rey. Since then they have won every title they competed in; la Liga, Champions League, Spain’s Super Cup, European Super Cup… and the Club World Cup.”

“Guardiola confessed that to replicate this again in the future is bleak. But what is of no doubt is that the present, framed in this magical year 2009, is more than perfect,” the paper concludes.

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Messiah wrote:i wonder where this team would rank on the list of the greatest club sides ever.