Re: UEFA Champions/Europa League 2012-13 Thread - It Just Got Mythical
Such gross overreactions to this result. Barca haven't been the "Best side ever" in a long time. I’d argue that in Pep’s first season, where Messi and Iniesta came into their own. They had Eto’o, Henry, Yaya, Xavi all at or pretty close to their peak. That was probably the best side I’ve seen. Since then I think they’ve made some terrible signings – Zlatan, Cesc, Alexis, Song etc. – All of which have underperformed and although they’re still an incredible side, they’ve become more reliant on Messi/Iniesta and look a lot easier to stop. That one season where they have Villa at his best papered over cracks IMO. They were the best side ever, but in the last season or two I think Madrid and Bayern have been superior.
Xavi isn’t as mobile as he was, Pique has declined horribly, Puyol is coming to an end and they’re still too reliant on Messi for goals. I still think their best formation would be Messi behind Villa, as they played against Milan. Messi's ego would never allow for that. The way they played yesterday, Iniesta was effectively trying to beat 5-6 men to create anything, that was largely down to Bayern’s own incredible defending but they were going nowhere. This isn’t the first time this season either. Madrid destroyed them at the Nou Camp earlier this season, probably even more impressively.
They’re far from done though. Messi and Iniesta are still two of the best in the world, they’ve world class prospects in Thiago and Tello who are going to be great and will reinforce in the summer. They’re in bad need of a new CB and an alternative goalscorer to Messi. The team needs a spark.
As for Bayern, they’re another animal completely. Anyone who’s been watching the Bundesliga knows what they're capable of, they were never gonna have time time for that tika taka shit. Scary to think they were without two of their best players – Kroos and Mandzukic. They have world class talent like Robben and Gomez in reserve, it’s ridiculous how strong they are. Moreso than it being the end of Barca, I just see it as the potential beginning of Bayern dominance. With Pep and Gotze arriving to an already loaded squad, it’s scary. Feel bad for Jupp though, the job he’s done is incredible.
They’ve not won it yet though.