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Is This Barcelona Side Even Greater Than the 2011 Champions League Winners?



On the evening of May 28, 2011, I was at Wembley Stadium among a crowd of over 87,000 to see Barcelona win the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the final.

It was a special night, watching a team become champions of Europe always is, but each member of that crowd, both the celebrating Barcelona fans and the vanquished United fans, knew they had witnessed something more profound.

Arguably the greatest club side of all time had delivered their signature performance: a masterclass of attacking football.

From my vantage point in the press box near the halfway line, Barcelona were utterly dominant throughout the 90 minutes.

They were a blur of speed and control, swarming over United with wave after wave of attacks as they greedily refused to let their opponents anywhere near the ball.

Even now, it seems strange this final finished in an almost respectable 3-1 defeat for United when the yawning gulf in class between the sides would have been better illustrated if the game had finished 10-1 to Barcelona.

This was not just any team to be bullied; this was Manchester United, playing in their third Champions League final in four years. The winners in 2008 and finalists in 2009, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, United had just become champions of England again.

But at times, the final was ;Duncomfortable to watch. United were not just beaten—they were humiliated. They were reduced to mere bystanders.

In his autobiography #2Sides, former United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke about the game with raw and unflinching honesty.

Ferdinand said United were “destroyed” and the game was a “trauma” and a “nightmare” for him. “We came off the pitch embarrassed,” he said.

But even as Lionel Messi ran through the United defence, Ferdinand knew he was witnessing history: “You couldn’t catch [Messi]. I thought: ‘That is...special. That is different. You’re not going to see that ever again in your lifetime.'”

The final was the climax to a season in which Barcelona had already won La Liga and finished as runners-up in the Copa del Rey.

Under their then-mentor and manager, Pep Guardiola, Barcelona had developed a style of football that effortlessly maintained possession with a series of quick and short passes before surging forward into space and creating a host of chances.

If the opposition did get hold of the ball, they had to get past a defence of Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique and either Carles Puyol or Javier Mascherano.

On the evening of May 28, 2011, I was at Wembley Stadium among a crowd of over 87,000 to see Barcelona win the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the final.

It was a special night, watching a team become champions of Europe always is, but each member of that crowd, both the celebrating Barcelona fans and the vanquished United fans, knew they had witnessed something more profound.

Arguably the greatest club side of all time had delivered their signature performance: a masterclass of attacking football.

From my vantage point in the press box near the halfway line, Barcelona were utterly dominant throughout the 90 minutes.

They were a blur of speed and control, swarming over United with wave after wave of attacks as they greedily refused to let their opponents anywhere near the ball.

Even now, it seems strange this final finished in an almost respectable 3-1 defeat for United when the yawning gulf in class between the sides would have been better illustrated if the game had finished 10-1 to Barcelona.

This was not just any team to be bullied; this was Manchester United, playing in their third Champions League final in four years. The winners in 2008 and finalists in 2009, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, United had just become champions of England again.

But at times, the final was uncomfortable to watch. United were not just beaten—they were humiliated. They were reduced to mere bystanders.

In his autobiography #2Sides, former United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke about the game with raw and unflinching honesty.

Ferdinand said United were “destroyed” and the game was a “trauma” and a “nightmare” for him. “We came off the pitch embarrassed,” he said.

But even as Lionel Messi ran through the United defence, Ferdinand knew he was witnessing history: “You couldn’t catch [Messi]. I thought: ‘That is...special. That is different. You’re not going to see that ever again in your lifetime.'”

The final was the climax to a season in which Barcelona had already won La Liga and finished as runners-up in the Copa del Rey.

Under their then-mentor and manager, Pep Guardiola, Barcelona had developed a style of football that effortlessly maintained possession with a series of quick and short passes before surging forward into space and creating a host of chances.

If the opposition did get hold of the ball, they had to get past a defence of Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Eric Abidal, Gerard Pique and either Carles Puyol or Javier Mascherano.

During the 2010-11 season, the midfield trio of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi were the fulcrum of Barcelona's power and reigned supreme.

In front of them, Messi was, well, Messi, scoring more than 50 goals during the season. In a front three, the Argentinian was flanked by Pedro and David Villa, who contributed another 45 goals between them.

At the final whistle, as Barcelona celebrated in the centre of the pitch by tossing Guardiola in the air, few could have argued that these players shouldn't be called the greatest European club side of all time.

Now, only four years later, we find ourselves seriously contemplating whether the current Barcelona side could be even greater than the revered class of 2011.

This season, Barcelona have already won La Liga and the Copa del Rey. On Saturday, they will attempt to emulate Guardiola’s side by winning the Champions League in the final against Juventus.

The 2015 side still possesses the heart of the 2011 side, boasting six of the same players—Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Iniesta, Busquets and Messi—and as many as eight if you include Xavi and Pedro, who, while no longer starters, have still appeared in plenty of games this season.

The new faces are in goal, where Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo have fought for the role, Jordi Alba in defence, Ivan Rakitic in midfield and Luis Suarez and Neymar up front alongside Messi.

Do these new players, and their feats, which have taken them to within one game of completing the treble, make them better than the Champions League and Liga winners of 2011?

The current side first needs to triumph in Berlin on Saturday night to earn the right to be compared to the 2011 side, but even if they do return to Barcelona with the club’s fifth Champions League title, it's arguable that they will still not have overtaken them.

At the back, Valdes was superior to either of his 2015 counterparts, and while the defence is largely the same, 2011 also has the edge as Barca could still call on the immense experience of Puyol.

Up front, the dynamism of Suarez and Neymar trumps Pedro and David Villa from the 2011 side because they have helped Messi score more goals than four years ago while also contributing more goals themselves—the pair have 67 goals between them.

While Barcelona scored 95 goals in La Liga in 2010-11, they beat that this season with a total of 110.

But it is in the middle of the pitch where the 2011 side comprehensively defeats their current-day counterparts.

In 2011, the trio of Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi, fresh from winning the World Cup with Spain the previous summer, were at their absolute peak and three of the finest midfielders the game has ever seen.

Barcelona could win the Champions League in the German capital on Saturday evening, but the 2011 side, the heroes of Wembley, will remain the original and the best.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2482092-is-this-barcelona-side-even-greater-than-the-2011-champions-league-winners

Lionel Messi's New Boots for the Champions League Final Revealed by Adidas...


http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2482362-lionel-messis-new-boots-for-the-champions-league-final-revealed-by-adidas

eyoniggar:
dmc my brother. I really dont know where this feeling is coming from, it is unlike me. Its like a prophet seeing ahead a complete project
that is still ongoing.

I hope so. I am by no means afraid of them. But you know in football anything can happen. I believe my team though, but still scared of the unknown. I hope your mind is right. Let me take solace from you.

Iniesta, who was subbed off with discomfort on Saturday, had medical tests this morning. He will be availalbe for the CL final.

Yay!

nonsoroyalty:
Congratulations Don Andres. His partner has given
birth to a baby boy. They have named him Paolo
Andrea.
Congratulaions Don!

Chiellini: “Messi wouldn’t score these goals in Italy.“




hehehehehe...someone just did a Kompany and a Neuer!!

bykebyke:
Chiellini: “Messi wouldn’t score these goals in Italy.“




hehehehehe...someone just did a Kompany and a Neuer!!

Leave am alone. Na this Saturday!

bykebyke:
Chiellini: “Messi wouldn’t score these goals in Italy.“




hehehehehe...someone just did a Kompany and a Neuer!!

Thank God oooooo say Messi don get another reason to cause havoc.

Chiellini! Chiellini!! Chiellini!!! How many times I call you? A dog in the Lions' den, is like a fatal adventure.

nonsoroyalty:
Congratulations Don Andres. His partner has given
birth to a baby boy. They have named him Paolo
Andrea.
Congratulaions Don!

Wooow! The dude will be joyous I swear(considering what happened to the first one)..

bykebyke:
Chiellini: “Messi wouldn’t score these goals in Italy.“




hehehehehe...someone just did a Kompany and a Neuer!!

They can't just stop talking!!
Now,you are going to "collect" your own on Saturday Mr!

"Messi's goal was good but the defense could have done better." - Chiellini





**Don't provoke Messi. He will make you look like Arbeloa dude.

Thank you for handing us the treble, Chiellini.
For this, you're now my favourite defender.

dmcdad:
Thank God oooooo say Messi don get another reason to cause havoc.

Chiellini! Chiellini!! Chiellini!!! How many times I call you? A dog in the Lions' den, is like a fatal adventure.

Bro, una go pity the guy seriously come saturday. Abi why these players no dey keep quiet self, Boateng wey no misyarn gan. Messi useless am ehn.

[/color]

Austeenx:
Thank you for handing us the treble, Chiellini.
For this, you're now my favourite defender.

Seriously, the guy don enter am big time.

dmcdad:
"Messi's goal was good but the defense could have done better." - Chiellini





**Don't provoke Messi. He will make you look like Arbeloa dude.

Habah! Arbeloa bawo? nobody dey even remember am again

sebod:
Habah! Arbeloa bawo? nobody dey even remember am again

Chiellini wey him body stiff like wetin I no know sef dey talk. Boateng 2.0 loading.....................45% loading.

Where is krasid?

onuwaje:
Where is krasid?

He's somewhere celebrating pichichi.

onuwaje:
Where is krasid?

Messi killed his career as a troll. Krasid is deeply hurt. He started off like he didn't give a f, making comment after comment. Then gradually he faded off.

Chellini just f*cked himself.

philfearon:
Wooow! The dude will be joyous I swear(considering what happened to the first one)..

*Second one died not first

Hello cules

10 years ago, Messi was discovered by the world as a great talent in Netherlands. Do we have any Barca player playing in the U20 world cup now?

Pogba: Playing with Messi would be a dream come true
www.m.goal.com/x/en/news/12316222
What does this dream mean?

sebod:
Hello cules

10 years ago, Messi was discovered by the world as a great talent in Netherlands. Do we have any Barca player playing in the U20 world cup now?

I don't think there is any!

homesteady:
Pogba: Playing with Messi would be a dream come true

www.m.goal.com/x/en/news/12316222

What does this dream mean?

i wont be amazed if by next season he is with us. It's always a previledge playing with the GOAT.

stevemims:
i wont be amazed if by next season he is with us. It's always a previledge playing with the GOAT.

Na you no go like play with The GOAT? As Neymar be star reach, him dey worship Messi.

stevemims:
i wont be amazed if by next season he is with us. It's always a previledge playing with the GOAT.

I don't even think Barcelona will be ready to bring out about 80 milla to buy him!

dmcdad:
Na you no go like play with The GOAT? As Neymar be star reach, him dey worship Messi.

Lol

homesteady:
I don't even think Barcelona will be ready to bring out about 80 milla to buy him!

You never can tell bro,this board can damn funny atimes.

Guys watch this lol

nonsoroyalty:
Guys watch this lol

Lmaoooooooooooo

homesteady:
I don't even think Barcelona will be ready to bring out about 80 milla to buy him!

80 That would be so silly of the board when there are many nice players around that would come cheap. #Rakitic4example