Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan defended heroically tonight, qualifying for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich with a 1-0 loss to Barcelona. Jose’s infamous parking of the bus was reversed as they packed men behind the ball and frustrated and stymied Guardiola’s men again and again. A few key stats from the game:
- Xavi (153) made 37 more passes on his own than the whole Inter Milan team (116).
- Passes completed: Barca 555, Inter 67
- Barcelona had 86.4% possession, a Champions League record this season.
- Barcelona (1372 passes) completed 999 more passes than Inter Milan (373) over the two legs.
Just incredible levels of domination. But Inter rebuffed them and aside from Pique’s superb finish, kept them out. A triumph for Mourinho’s tactical brilliance? Or dour negativity that ruined the spectacle?
For my money, any game that can throw up such statistical anomalies is a fascinating one. I can’t pretend that I enjoyed every minute of the match (especially not the first half) but overall, as a package, it was engrossing. Not for the casual viewer admittedly, but captivating for the hardcore.
And Jose being Jose he had to provide us with a subplot – the last minute team change, the half time delay, the full time histrionics… whatever you think of the guy, you cannot deny he is entertaining. More so than the game…
Regardless of the fact that it was absorbing from a tactical perspective, the game was totally soured for me by the knowledge that Thiago Motta’s red deprived us of what would have been a much more entertaining match. Granted, Inter would likely have still played a rigidly defensive game, but any possibility of them being to play on the counter was essentially snuffed out when they were forced to shuffle Eto’o back
@Thom: Yep, absolutely agree. It made Inter’s achievement all the more remarkable though. Also made me want Barca to lose because of the obvious playacting http://bit.ly/buy2tF
This has been symptomatic of Barca this season. Without Eto’o they have struggled to find an out. Ok, they are top of a poor Spanish league, and they put out arsenal… but they have flattered to deceive so far this year (Ruben Kazan anyone).
When they can play, they play very well… hell; I’d go as far as saying the play better than any team in the world. However, they still lack the infamous “plan B”, which Ibrahimovic was supposed to address.
This Barca team will almost certainly go on to domestic success this year, but in the wider scheme of things, there are fundamental problems which Pep Guardiola needs to address.
Why can’t they play more than one style of football? Why can’t they defend away in the CL? Why have they been run so close in La Liga?
@nicko: Seems a little harsh on what is probably the best team in the world! But the Plan B point is valid, they do refuse to be direct whatever the game situation. I was surprised Henry didn’t come on to provide that directness (or at least more of it). Looks like he will be on his way in the summer (America?).
Still, CL semis and only beaten by one of the best defensive performances of recent times, and *likely* to win La Liga – perhaps a bit unfair to go to town on Guardiola! Being run close by Real, especially considering the amount they spent, is nothing to be ashamed of.
Tonight also reminded me what an amazing bit of business Inter did with Eto’o/Ibra – getting that much money in the p/x was robbery.
If it wasn’t Mourinho, I think there would be some ill-feeling towards Inter for the approach, but you gotta love the man.
As a bitter Chelsea fan, I took great glee in Barca getting frustrated and seeing Inter time-wasting and being what is always called “professional”.
The sending-off (and the standard irritating ITV commentary) got my goat. Motta was shielding the ball with his hand, as happens dozens of times per game. The only reason the ref made that decision was because of Busquets’ pathetic reaction.
I think last night’s final told the final story. Inter & Italian football boring as usual.
Mourinho nauseating now.Accuses AC of playing boring football when they beat them 1-0 & then bases his whole CL tactics on the same method. Tactical genius? He plays the same game week in week out!
Unfortunately, as seen in this CL final stages, the referee has more impact than any manager or player. Against Inter & Arsenal the ref’s were blatantly anti Barca & its only through the many poor decision’s by these ref’s that Inter made the final anyway. Next year i’ll be amazed if Inter get to the final 16, now that the rat is abandoning the ship.
All i can say is they are a good team of player Barca team will almost certainly they go on to domestic success!!
Last year’s final between Inter v Barcelona was watchable enough but it is not often you get very exciting finals – there is simply too much to lose. The draw looks set for a Barca v Man United final if both clubs can get through the quarter and semi finals.
I would have to agree that the 1st half was not nearly as entertaining but thank goodness it picked up! I was definitely in awe.
The collection of these videos is extremely interesting and all at the same time exciting. Way back here in the Philippines, we are proud to start exploring the world of soccer through our very own national team called the Philippine Azkals. We hope to make it big too in the international scene. All hail for soccer !
the possession percentage is unreal. Freaking unreal
Granted, Inter would likely have still played a rigidly defensive game, but any possibility of them being to play on the counter was essentially snuffed out when they were forced to shuffle Eto’o back. Thanks for sharing this.
New Post: Barca v Inter: Absorbing or Boring? http://bit.ly/cZfwjI
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @footballsup: New Post: Barca v Inter: Absorbing or Boring? http://bit.ly/cZfwjI
This comment was originally posted on Twitter