Champions League Thread [2010-2011]
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Beauty and the beast – Brilliant Barcelona have their ugly side too
It was the biggest stage of all; a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. And while the opening act may have been dreary, the finale was sublime. Amid the drama, Lionel Messi stole the show with a thrilling encore and the Argentine was hailed for his majestic play. But there was plenty of theatre too from Barcelona.
As the curtain drew back for the third instalment of this epic four-part series, the cast lined up – 11 against 11: the protagonists. There was tragedy and comedy; there were heroes and villains; there was drama and even horror. But above all, there was plenty of acting.
Messi, as so often before, was the hero, rescuing a poor script with a stunning late cameo which included both of his side’s goals – the second of which would have made a fitting finale to any blockbuster. The Argentina forward danced his way past four Madrid defenders as if they were mere extras before slotting home the showpiece. The credits followed, all for the Argentine: a box office hit.
But earlier, there had been a villain too. That was Pepe, who was dismissed for a violent lunge on Dani Alves. With his shaved head, his piercing glare and evil stare, Pepe looked the part: he was the perfect baddie. Or was he? A rerun showed that Alves had thrown himself theatrically to the ground; there had been no contact. Opinions differ as to whether the red card was justified or not, but either way, Alves’ role was key. The Brazilian had fooled the gallery and, more importantly, the director: referee Wolfgang Stark. The supporting cast, made up of Alves’ team-mates, quickly surrounded the German. That was his prompt: Pepe saw red. Alves played dead and left on a stretcher, but was back in character two minutes later and sprinting up and down the pitch.
Only in the movies can such miraculous recoveries be witnessed – or on stage. In earlier scenes, both Pedro and Sergio Busquets had hurled themselves to the ground, clutching their faces when contact had occurred elsewhere or indeed been minimal. This was play-acting of the highest order, but of the lowest level: amateur dramatics. And Barca, the self-styled purists, looked anything but pure. Thespians, perhaps; artistry, this was not.
Cheating in theatrical terms is the practice of turning one’s body towards the audience even while keeping the head facing one’s scene partner. But Barcelona’s players made sure their bodies were thrown on to the turf, with their faces strategically covered by their hands, writhing in agony, surrounding the official and alluding to vicious crimes. This may not be their favourite or most well-known part and they may not be the worst exponents of the genre, but Barca have played this role before. And their players knew only too well that a carefully-staged performance would see the referee eventually call time on the evening for one of Madrid’s players on Wednesday. Stark duly read the script.
"Barcelona’s players made sure their bodies were thrown on to the turf, with their faces strategically covered by their hands, writhing in agony, surrounding the official and alluding to vicious crimes."
If Barca’s players were the protagonists, though, Madrid proved the antagonist. Jose Mourinho’s men played their own part in ruining Wednesday’s game as a spectacle; aside from their ultra-negative tactics, there was foul play from Pepe, Emmanuel Adebayor and Marcelo – with theatrics too from the Brazilian – and more melodrama from Cristiano Ronaldo. Mourinho later complained of Barca’s role in the ugly scenes at the Santiago Bernabeu and Madrid have reported Pep Guardiola’s side to UEFA for unsporting conduct. The Catalans claim their innocence, but their acting – Mourinho hopes – will speak louder than their words.
But the Portuguese, never one to shun the limelight, will do well to remember the conduct of his own players – now and in the past. For Pepe, Marcelo and Ronaldo now, read Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole at Chelsea, or any number of his players at Inter and Porto. Flashbacks of the Champions League semi-final with Porto against Deportivo La Coruna in 2004 or the UEFA Cup final versus Celtic a year earlier, to name but two examples in which his sides used gamesmanship and play-acting to gain an advantage, seem to have been erased from his memory – like deleted scenes on a DVD.
Barca’s story is hypocritical, too. The Catalan club preaches family values; they claim their football is universal – suitable for all. But not only is parental guidance needed, often the action is X-rated material. And while their performances may be easy on the eye and worthy of praise, they can also leave a sour aftertaste.
Good guys like Carles Puyol and Xavi feature heavily, but there are also villains in the piece such as Alves and Busquets, and plenty of special effects – not to mention artistic licence, trickery and deceit. Luckily for them, Messi’s monologue ensured critical acclaim on Wednesday night. But for all their pretty play, Barca showed once again they have a dark and ugly side too: Beauty and the beast.
It was the biggest stage of all; a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. And while the opening act may have been dreary, the finale was sublime. Amid the drama, Lionel Messi stole the show with a thrilling encore and the Argentine was hailed for his majestic play. But there was plenty of theatre too from Barcelona.
As the curtain drew back for the third instalment of this epic four-part series, the cast lined up – 11 against 11: the protagonists. There was tragedy and comedy; there were heroes and villains; there was drama and even horror. But above all, there was plenty of acting.
Messi, as so often before, was the hero, rescuing a poor script with a stunning late cameo which included both of his side’s goals – the second of which would have made a fitting finale to any blockbuster. The Argentina forward danced his way past four Madrid defenders as if they were mere extras before slotting home the showpiece. The credits followed, all for the Argentine: a box office hit.
But earlier, there had been a villain too. That was Pepe, who was dismissed for a violent lunge on Dani Alves. With his shaved head, his piercing glare and evil stare, Pepe looked the part: he was the perfect baddie. Or was he? A rerun showed that Alves had thrown himself theatrically to the ground; there had been no contact. Opinions differ as to whether the red card was justified or not, but either way, Alves’ role was key. The Brazilian had fooled the gallery and, more importantly, the director: referee Wolfgang Stark. The supporting cast, made up of Alves’ team-mates, quickly surrounded the German. That was his prompt: Pepe saw red. Alves played dead and left on a stretcher, but was back in character two minutes later and sprinting up and down the pitch.
Only in the movies can such miraculous recoveries be witnessed – or on stage. In earlier scenes, both Pedro and Sergio Busquets had hurled themselves to the ground, clutching their faces when contact had occurred elsewhere or indeed been minimal. This was play-acting of the highest order, but of the lowest level: amateur dramatics. And Barca, the self-styled purists, looked anything but pure. Thespians, perhaps; artistry, this was not.
Cheating in theatrical terms is the practice of turning one’s body towards the audience even while keeping the head facing one’s scene partner. But Barcelona’s players made sure their bodies were thrown on to the turf, with their faces strategically covered by their hands, writhing in agony, surrounding the official and alluding to vicious crimes. This may not be their favourite or most well-known part and they may not be the worst exponents of the genre, but Barca have played this role before. And their players knew only too well that a carefully-staged performance would see the referee eventually call time on the evening for one of Madrid’s players on Wednesday. Stark duly read the script.
"Barcelona’s players made sure their bodies were thrown on to the turf, with their faces strategically covered by their hands, writhing in agony, surrounding the official and alluding to vicious crimes."
If Barca’s players were the protagonists, though, Madrid proved the antagonist. Jose Mourinho’s men played their own part in ruining Wednesday’s game as a spectacle; aside from their ultra-negative tactics, there was foul play from Pepe, Emmanuel Adebayor and Marcelo – with theatrics too from the Brazilian – and more melodrama from Cristiano Ronaldo. Mourinho later complained of Barca’s role in the ugly scenes at the Santiago Bernabeu and Madrid have reported Pep Guardiola’s side to UEFA for unsporting conduct. The Catalans claim their innocence, but their acting – Mourinho hopes – will speak louder than their words.
But the Portuguese, never one to shun the limelight, will do well to remember the conduct of his own players – now and in the past. For Pepe, Marcelo and Ronaldo now, read Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole at Chelsea, or any number of his players at Inter and Porto. Flashbacks of the Champions League semi-final with Porto against Deportivo La Coruna in 2004 or the UEFA Cup final versus Celtic a year earlier, to name but two examples in which his sides used gamesmanship and play-acting to gain an advantage, seem to have been erased from his memory – like deleted scenes on a DVD.
Barca’s story is hypocritical, too. The Catalan club preaches family values; they claim their football is universal – suitable for all. But not only is parental guidance needed, often the action is X-rated material. And while their performances may be easy on the eye and worthy of praise, they can also leave a sour aftertaste.
Good guys like Carles Puyol and Xavi feature heavily, but there are also villains in the piece such as Alves and Busquets, and plenty of special effects – not to mention artistic licence, trickery and deceit. Luckily for them, Messi’s monologue ensured critical acclaim on Wednesday night. But for all their pretty play, Barca showed once again they have a dark and ugly side too: Beauty and the beast.
neutral
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You contradict yourself, first you say how negative Mourinho was then you ask why he didnt substitute and attacker for a more defensive player.
Hiperblaster
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I said he should' ve had introduced Garay when Pepe was sent-off, not b4, for the same reason i didn' t Criticize the catenaccio of the 2nd leg of Barca-Inter, because Motta was sent off early in the game.
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If i really want to be objective on the whole thing than I guess i should also consider theres a possibility he wasnt trying to hurt alves? I mean u can see where im coming from no...........the first leg of a CL semi, still 0:0 and real fairly holding on to the result so why would he want to hurt anyone in that manner knowing the consequences? I could have been just a poorly planed/timed tackle. If he really did try to hurt him than yeah, hes most def the biggest disgrace in football (he was a nominee even before all this) with no respect towards his opponents or team mates and should quit football (he was planning to do just that not long ago IIRC) and go to a psychiatric hospital.
ernesto
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ernesto
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This IS a dive.
have u ever seen Pippo does anything remotely close to that? or....
this?
i know Pippo might be too easy to go down in penalty area. But, it's completely different from diving like these players with no contact whatsoever
ZBoban
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Wow that's embarassing...I would suspend players like 5 games for this kind of garbage.
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Reffing Hell! UEFA choice De Bleeckere is sure to fan Jose flames
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ague-semi-final-second-leg.html#ixzz1LB2bIpZy
Can't face it: Jose Mourinho has history with referee Frank de Bleeckere
Frank de Bleeckere, one of the five referees who had their credibility queried by Jose Mourinho in his extraordinary rant last Wednesday, has been awarded the potentially explosive Champions League semi-final second leg between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
It is a decision by UEFA that is sure to be seized upon by Mourinho as evidence that there is a pro-Barca, anti- Real agenda this season, and that there is a pro-Barca bias in general within the European governing body.
But De Bleeckere, from Belgium, said yesterday that because Mourinho will not be in the dugout in Barcelona following his dismissal from Real in the tempestuous first leg, he is not certain to see him in person.
'I don't want to react to that,' De Bleeckere said of Mourinho's comments last week.
'I don't know if I will see Mourinho, I usually see players and coaches in the warm-up, no more than that. This game is what you do the job for, it's fantastic. On the other hand I am aware that it is very tense and that everything will be analysed in detail.
'I've known for about a week that I'd got a semi-final and I've been focused on that. I've sort of put myself in exile.'
De Bleeckere, 44 and soon to retire, incensed Mourinho at the same stage of the competition last season - and at the Nou Camp - when he sent off Inter Milan's Thiago Motta after just 27 minutes of the second leg in Barcelona.
Motta was shown an early yellow card for a foul on Dani Alves but Mourinho, Motta and Inter were then outraged that De Bleeckere produced a second yellow card, then a red, for Motta's hand-off of Sergio Busquets.
Motta later accused Busquets of exaggerating the contact, while Mourinho mentioned De Bleeckere last week.
'If I say to UEFA what I think, my career ends today,' he said after the first leg in which Pepe was also sent off, Alves and Busquets were again accused of acting and Barcelona won 2-0.
'I can't say what I feel. I only leave one question. Why?
'Why? Ovrebo, Busacca, Frisk, Stark, De Bleeckere. Why to all these people? Each semi-final always brings the same. So why?'
UEFA will assess Mourinho's 'inadequate declarations' and announce a judgement on Friday. They are also investigating Barcelona, after substitute goalkeeper Jose Pinto was sent off.
Barca manager Pep Guardiola may also query De Bleeckere as he disallowed Bojan Krkic's late goal in last year's second leg.
It would have taken his side to the final at the Bernabeu. Real, resting players, had Ricardo Carvalho dismissed in a shock 3-2 home defeat by Real Zaragoza.
Barcelona also lost, 2-1 at Real Sociedad, while Schalke's 4-1 defeat at Bayern Munich meant that, following Manchester United's loss at Arsenal, none of the four Champions League semifinalists took a point this weekend.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ague-semi-final-second-leg.html#ixzz1LB2bIpZy
Ash
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Is this a joke?
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Nope, its the cry of sore losers who know that they are on their way out.
The ref appointed for this match will probably be in Barca's favor as well because Mou just insulted him last week and RM didnt see any other way of defeating Barca but trying to deplete their team. Sickening really...
Edit: I highly doubt that UEFA will take any action though, if they do then its just plain stupid of them. The ref should judge everything on the pitch and hes done that, i dont see why UEFA needs to get involved...
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Dwa Milan
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lol the Classico this season is really getting ridiculous 
Actually it's about time. These midgets need to be forced to stop diving/surrounding the ref every 23 seconds. Their game is so unsportsmanlike.
But Barca's case is bullshit.
Btw, I have a feeling Mou is preparing a surprise for tomorrow. If Real Madrid qualify tomorrow it would be epic. Wait for the sprinklers + surrounding ref after the match + bitter comments from Xavi, Valdes, and Guardiola about the ref.
ernesto
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ZBoban
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Hitzfeld blasts Mourinho today.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/914597/ottmar-hitzfeld-blasts-'shameful'-real-madrid-boss-jose-mourinho?cc=5901
Hitzfeld hits out at MourinhoMay 2, 2011
Email Print By ESPNsoccernet staff
Two-time Champions League winner Ottmar Hitzfeld has blasted Jose Mourinho for his "boorish" attitude and "shameful" tactics.
Mourinho has come under fire for his part in Real Madrid's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona last week in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with the former Chelsea and Inter boss adopting a defensive approach at the Bernabeu and then making explosive comments to the press after the game.
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against both clubs, but Switzerland boss Hitzfeld suggested the first-leg victory for Barca was justice for the sport after the way he approached the game.
"Luckily, Mourinho's destructive tactics, aimed solely at provoking and destroying the opponents' gameplan, did not work," he told German magazine Kicker.
"Such a way of playing does not relate to the demands of Real. It's really shameful for Real Madrid. It harms the good name and image of this legendary club.
"I've met him at UEFA meetings and his behaviour is faithful to his image: arrogant, haughty, chewing gum and somewhat of a boor. Barca should make him pay on the pitch."
Hitzfeld won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayern Munich in 2001, and has also won the Bundesliga on seven occasions as a coach.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/914597/ottmar-hitzfeld-blasts-'shameful'-real-madrid-boss-jose-mourinho?cc=5901
Hitzfeld hits out at MourinhoMay 2, 2011
Email Print By ESPNsoccernet staff
Two-time Champions League winner Ottmar Hitzfeld has blasted Jose Mourinho for his "boorish" attitude and "shameful" tactics.
Mourinho has come under fire for his part in Real Madrid's 2-0 defeat to Barcelona last week in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with the former Chelsea and Inter boss adopting a defensive approach at the Bernabeu and then making explosive comments to the press after the game.
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against both clubs, but Switzerland boss Hitzfeld suggested the first-leg victory for Barca was justice for the sport after the way he approached the game.
"Luckily, Mourinho's destructive tactics, aimed solely at provoking and destroying the opponents' gameplan, did not work," he told German magazine Kicker.
"Such a way of playing does not relate to the demands of Real. It's really shameful for Real Madrid. It harms the good name and image of this legendary club.
"I've met him at UEFA meetings and his behaviour is faithful to his image: arrogant, haughty, chewing gum and somewhat of a boor. Barca should make him pay on the pitch."
Hitzfeld won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund in 1997 and Bayern Munich in 2001, and has also won the Bundesliga on seven occasions as a coach.
Az.
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Uefa reject Real Madrid's complaint against Barcelona
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Here's Busquets monkey-chanting Marcelo ("Mono-Mono"). Madrid have filed a petition against him as well, for racism.
It's very difficult to find a team with more hateable players than the current Barca, no matter how far I think back.
It's very difficult to find a team with more hateable players than the current Barca, no matter how far I think back.
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That contributed, but Barca players have been hateable for a couple of years now 
From play-acting to hound-the-ref to utter disrespect for other clubs and other styles.
From play-acting to hound-the-ref to utter disrespect for other clubs and other styles.
Ash
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El Classico - The most HYPED Derby in the world
Derby Della Madonnina - The GREATEST Derby in thw world
Derby Della Madonnina - The GREATEST Derby in thw world
Rex
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I'd wished Schalke may stun at ManU home-soil and are able to reverse the situation that advance them to final. (Even I know that is impossible) 
