ROME - Barcelona deposed Manchester United as European
champions with a 2-0 victory forged by a superb display of
controlled attacking soccer in the Champions League final on
Wednesday.
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o struck the opener against the run
of play after 10 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico when he cut past
Nemanja Vidic with surprising ease and sent a low shot past United
goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar at his near post.
Argentina's Lionel Messi added the second with a rare, and
perfectly timed header after 70 minutes, sealing Barcelona's third
European Cup win after their successes in 1992 and 2006.
Victory also completed a European and domestic treble for Barca
in an extraordinary first season for coach Pep Guardiola, who ended
Alex Ferguson's dreams of making United the first side to retain
the European Cup in the Champions League era.
The match, hailed as a "dream final" between two of Europe's
greatest clubs, could not live up to its expectations because
United were so far below their best.
They did have their chances, especially in the first 10 minutes,
but they could not reproduce the power, authority and precise
passing that had already brought them three trophies over the
course of the season, including the Premier League title.
United manager Alex Ferguson told ITV afterwards: "I think the
first goal was a killer for us. We had plenty of time, we had some
half-chances in the second half but in fairness we were beaten by a
better team."
MISSING PLAYERS
Barcelona's victory was all the more notable as they were
without suspended full-backs Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves as well
as the injured Rafael Marquez.
Andres Iniesta, despite not being fully fit, dominated the
midfield battle alongside Xavi and helped prise United's grip from
the trophy they won against Chelsea in Moscow last year.
Xavi, voted Man of the Match, cracked a free kick against a post
at the start of the second half and his link play with his team
mates frustrated United once Barcelona had taken a grip on the game
with the early goal from Eto'o.
That Eto'o strike shocked United, who had started so brightly as
they attempted to extend a record 25-match unbeaten run in the
competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo had three chances, the best being a
second-minute free kick which Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes
failed to hold.
The ball bounced out of his grip but Park Ji-sung could not get
to it in time and Barca's immense skipper Carles Puyol cleared for
a corner.
Ronaldo's influence faded as Messi's grew and it was the Barca
man who came out top in the battle of the playmakers.
He dazzled and jigged his way through United's ponderous defence
and his sweet touches and intelligent movement were another key to
Barcelona's victory.
United's usual match winners, like Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney,
were also strangely peripheral and even Carlos Tevez, who replaced
the ineffective Anderson at half-time, had little influence.
Thierry Henry, Messi and Eto'o - whose combined scoring total
for the season is an astonishing 96 goals - could all have added
more as Barcelona finished the match in complete command.
