Mourinho can cry all he wants about the ref but the fact is that his tactics failed.
C & P - TELEGRAPH
The exhortation from the home fans to their idols had been clear. One banner, unfurled as Cristiano Ronaldo and company lined up, said it all: “We Live For You-So Win For Us”.
They never came close. Containment and frustration were more in Real minds. Mourinho had hoped to grind Barcelona into submission, then introduce creative cavalry like Kaka from the bench.
The Special One had again sought to confuse Barcelona with an attack that lacked an orthodox centre-forward. With Emmanuel Adebayor, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain amongst £140million worth of talent on the bench, Real started with Ronaldo through the middle flanked by Mesut Ozil and the left-sided Angel di Maria. There was little central focus and it was little surprised when Adebayor arrived for Ozil at the break.
Barcelona had known they were in for a test; people had kept talking about glimpses of vulnerability. Their defence had Carles Puyol at left-back and Javier Mascherano at centre-half, his early hesistancy almost exploited by Ronaldo.
But there is so much skill within the Catalan ranks. Xavi gave early notice, a meaty volley into Casillas’ arms. Real responded, Ronaldo trying his luck from range but failing to trouble Victor Valdes.
As Real stood off, Barcelona were enjoying the ball’s company for long periods. After 16 minutes, Ronaldo shouted for his team-mates to squeeze up, to assist him in closing down Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets. The Bernabéu crowd shared his frustration, whistling as Barcelona were allowed to build.
Real were too cautious, too focused on the tactics of denial. Ronaldo was a ray of light, always attempting to find a way through. Real briefly began raising their game, Marcelo embarking on a rampaging run through Dani Alves and Mascherano. Real’s fans loved it, believing it might prove a catalyst. False dawn.
Barcelona looked the likelier to open the scoring. One glorious move saw them at their inventive, fast-moving best. Messi turned away from Xabi Alonso, and passed to David Villa, whose effort was saved. Xavi then went close.
The sublime Argentine’s 52nd goal of another remarkable season was epic, and surely sets up a final against Manchester United at Wembley on May 28. Messi picked up the ball 50 yards out and just ran and ran, control and determination, taking him past Diarra, Ramos, Albiol and Marceloa before sliding the ball past Casillas. That wasn’t a dribble, that was an odyssey.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who was here on Wednesday, must make special plans for Messi and Xavi. Real fans will look on from afar and wonder whether Mourinho’s tactics, focusing on containment, had cost them dear.
Barcelona fans were loving it, taunting their Real counterparts, and chanting “time to go, Mourinho”. Time to re-think tactics certainly.