Barcelona show their class to win the Champions League

After the debacle of the Champions League semi-final victory over Real Madrid there were questions asked about Barcelona. They were accused of every from racial abuse to diving.

I believe Barca went some way to restoring their tarnished reputation with their 3-1 Champions League final victory over Manchester United at Wembley last night. They were once again beautiful Barcelona.

Greatest

Nobody is talking about cheating anymore, everybody is talking about the quality of their football. Now people are once again calling Barca the best team to have ever graced a football field. For me that’s hard to judge, having not witnessed all of the other greats sides of the past.

The one thing I am sure of is that this is the greatest team I have ever seen play the game. I was not neutral last night. I have no great hatred of Manchester United and I suppose as an Englishman I should of wanted the Red Devils to win.

However the football that Barca plays leads neutrals to want them to win games, just because of the way they play the game. They are simply beautiful to watch.

Gap

Manchester United and Barcelona are the champions of the two top leagues in Europe. They truly are the best Europe has to offer. Barcelona’s performance last night though proved that they are still head and shoulders above their nearest rivals.

Manchester United are a good team, but Barcelona are a great team. United gave it their best shot last night but I think everybody even the United players accepted that they were second best for most of last night’s encounter.

Weak

Before last night’s game the Sky TV pundits Graeme Souness. Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville were trying to find a weak link in the Barcelona side. The best they could do was that defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano was set to play at centre-back.

They thought that he could be got at in an unfamiliar position. Unfortunately for United Mascherano was absolutely immense at the heart of the defence.

The former-Liverpool player even admitted himself that he ‘found it strange’ to be playing out of position. He dedicated the victory to Liverpool fans.

It just goes to show that when opponents look for weak links there not many to be found in that Barcelona team. They are just that good.

Boss

Last night’s victory was boss Pep Guardiola’s second as Barca boss. He has been involved in three of Barca’s four European Cup victories, having played in Barcelona’s 1992 1-0 victory over Sampdoria.

Pep Guardiola is Barcelona through and through. However according to press reports yesterday he could still be set to walk out on the Catalans this summer. He is apparently feeling the strain of managing arguably the biggest club in the world.

The thought of Guardiola leaving Barca at this stage seems rather bizarre. However it seems the 40 year-old is looking for a new challenge. If he does quit the European Champions then there will be a host of clubs trying to persuade him to take over their football club.

He is now rated as one of the top managers in world. People have said that he took over a group of top players and anybody could manage them. However he has brought through the likes of Sergio Busquets and Pedro Rodriguez from the Barca B team and turned them into top class players.

He has already stated that he wants to test himself in the Premier League and maybe he would like a fresh challenge away from Barcelona.

Special

For now though Guardiola and his fantastic team can celebrate yet another trophy. Pep Guardiola and his team will go down as legends. It remains to be seen if this Barcelona team are the best ever team.

However there is something special and magical about this Barcelona team. This is Barca’s time and long may it continue.

Is this Barcelona team the greatest ever?