I watched the Barca ManU replay last night (soberly and calmly, as opposed to my first viewing in a crazy soccer bar). Some thoughts:

1. Puyol -- who I'm normally not impressed with -- had a truly terrific game as right back (not his normal position). He'd probably lose a footrace with SAF, but he really made life hard on the ManU players he defensed. And he almost scored!

2. Iniesta: my earlier description of "less involved than usual" didn't capture what I meant; I meant he wasn't playing at full speed bc of the injury. His close control, dribbling, and passing were as exceptional as ever -- Rooney said he was the best player in the world -- but normally he does all those things while running at full speed. Yesterday -- almost certainly because of the injury -- his pace was slowed down. But his display of skill was still awesome. With Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, and Casillas, you've got to like Spain's chances in next year's World Cup.

3. Eto'o looks a lot like an actual doll. It's kind of scary.

4. The first half was much closer than the second. Apparently SAF gave a reverse motivational speech at half-time.

Unrelated -- here's my favorite clip of Messi and Iniesta tearing Chelsea's heart out. That, too, I watch lived in a a crazy soccer bar, and I'll remember that finish forever.

Next up: the WC qualifying, and the Gold and Confederation Cups for the USMNT!

FF

Yep, Iniesta was playing seriously hurt. Guardiola told him he wasn't allowed to shoot for fear of exacerbating the injury.

I knew it.

FF

Barca outplayed ManU for 80 minutes today (the first ten minutes, ManU was on fire), winning the CL Final 2-0. Ronaldo looked vicious early but then vanished, except for missing a fairly easy shot and several petulant tackles (one for which he was carded) when it became clear United was going to lose. Messi -- perhaps you've heard of him -- scored the second goal with a wonderful touch header past Van der Sar. Xavi and Iniesta controlled the field as always, although Iniesta was obviously playing hurt, because he was less involved than usual (although still excellent).

ManU got outclassed today by a team with superior skill; the last time that happened to them was, wait for it, when Liverpool hammered them 4-1 at Old Trafford. Poor Vidic -- like in the Pool loss, today he buckled under the pressure, and did not play well. In United's defense, Ferdinand was also clearly injured and not himself. But it wouldn't have mattered.

ManU made a meal this season of beating the teams it was supposed to beat -- racking up tons of points against bottom table squads -- and then looking turdish in tilts with equal or superior teams. Their best showing was the shellacking of Arsenal in the CL semis, which in my mind was largely a result of Arsenal's bizarre implosion. Today, Barca completely controlled the midfield -- and the match -- and United had no answers. It was great.

As for my beloved Pool, well, we were the best English team this year. Screw the table. The most goals scored, the best goal differential, the fewest losses (2), an undefeated home record, doubles over United and Chelsea, and we hung 4 on Arse, Chelsea, United, and Madrid. 86 points would have won the Premier League in seven previous seasons. Draws with Stoke City (twice!), Hull, and a loss to Boro killed us.

But Stevie G and Nino only started together some small percentage of the time (I'm too lazy to look up the percentage). So if Gerrard and Torres can stay healthy next year...

FF