Champions League Final Post Mortem

Now that the dust has settled somewhat following our defeat to Barcelona, myself and Nik Storey (Sleepy_Nik) had a chat about the game and below is a transcript of our ramblings:


James_WrittenOff: Champions League Final, Wembley on Saturday. 3-1 Barcelona. What were your initial thoughts immediately after the game Nik?

Nik Storey: Disillusioned is probably the best description! After 6 or 7 minutes I turned to Doron and said, ‘this is Rome 2009 all over again’. and unfortunately it turned out to be the case. Though admittedly we didn’t have the chances we had in that first 10 or 11 minutes in the Olympico, the opening exchanges at Wembley were very frantic and high octane. United looked to have the perfect game plan, and one which I was hopeful of beforehand: press high and challenge for every ball, though it was a pace that was always likely to be hard to maintain for the full duration against a side of Barca’s quality, and in that sense I’m not entirely convinced it was a specific ploy of Fergie’s.

James_WrittenOff: I was disappointed naturally but definitely could understand there was no disgrace in losing to such a wonderful team.I too could see signs of 2009 early on and was thinking there was no way we would be able to keep up the intensity of our early play for 90 mins.
James_WrittenOff: I sensed early on Giggs was off his game and looked drained by the weeks events. To me, for the first time, he looked 37 up against that quality.

Nik Storey: Yeah, I half agree with that; I thought he did well positionally for around half an hour at least, but thereafter seemed to tire. It was certainly his lapse that essentially cost us at 1-1. He found himself way too deep, which allowed Messi so much time to shoot, with Carrick and Park picking up Iniesta and Xavi respectively. I suppose Sir Alex had little option but to keep Giggs on once we were down in the match, swapping him for Park seemed sensible at the the time...

James_WrittenOff: Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I do wonder if any lessons were actually learned from 2009. Sir Alex has made a big thing of how he has been working towards a re-match but did not really show anything fresh that would make a difference. The result became an inevitability from about the 20th minute for me. Unlike him, he seemed lost as to what to change and just left things as they were.

James_WrittenOff: I hate to criticise the great man but thought he could have been more proactive after half time when it looked like changes were needed to stem the tide

Nik Storey: I am not entirely convinced he could have done much to be honest. At half-time we were 1-1 which many people seem to be forgetting, so on paper at least his tactics were right, and I am not sure what exactly he could have done differently at this juncture. Further, it has to be remembered that this Barcelona side are arguably the greatest side ever to have played the game. We can talk about Cruyff’s Barca or indeed 1970’s Brazil, but this team is something special and let’s be honest, operating at a different level to any other - certainly in the modern day.Messi's movement and Xavi's orchestration from the centre (ok, all over the pitch!) is a phenomenal spectacle!

Nik Storey: It’s hard to analyse and pinpoint any key weakness in our set up simply because Barca were so fluid in their attacks, so precise in their movement and so disciplined in their game plan execution. It is far too easy an analysis to simply state (as some have) that ‘and extra man in the middle would have enabled United to exert greater control’

James_WrittenOff: I cannot disagree with that assessment at all. It felt like we needed 12 players - 3 in centre midfield yet still with Rooney and Hernandez up front. I think our best hope may have been to have gone ultra defensive but would have left us playing for penalties and with little threat

Nik Storey: And you make a fantastic point there; the alternatives were just that: harry, tackle, run and play out the game....which simply isnt the United way, and one we were crucified for playing in Rome. 

James_WrittenOff: It is a bit scary that we are clearly number 2 or 3 in Europe yet were made to look light years behind in terms of technique and quality. They could dominate for the next three years if they stay together.

James_WrittenOff: I thought Vidic, Ferdinand and Rooney played well but struggling a touch after that for others that did themselves justice. Such a shame but not sure a fit Fletcher would have made any discernable difference despite what people were saying!

Nik Storey: Scary is the right word James! Which is again one of the reasons I had hoped Fergie would select his (and United's) strongest 11 - given that Fletcher wasnt match fit and Anderson is still not looking the player he was prior to injury - and having clearly weighed up both options (451 v 4411). Fergie decided that his best chance of victory was to focus on the hugely positive relationship between Rooney and Hernandez (one that has blossomed both at home and in Europe)

James_WrittenOff: yeah I have no problem with picking those two up front as on paper they were looking best equipped to cause problems. For me, Saturday perhaps showed why we need to replace Hargreaves and have a true defensive midfielder in the squad for certain games when required. Would not play all the time but a great option from the bench and to start in major games

James_WrittenOff: Carrick and Giggs look lightweight on paper when up against such rapier like passing and movement. But to counter that, they were the key to beating Chelsea and Schalke 

Nik Storey: I can see your line of thought. Though one thing that struck me on Saturday was how were unable to stick to the pre-match instructions that Fergie and his team had clearly outlined to the players; take for example Rooney, he seemed to get carried away with the occasion at times and forgot to stay close to Busquets when without the ball. Likewise, Park was so focused at following Messi inside, both he and Evra often went with him (or Xavi for example) leaving the other one spare. For the goal, both Ferdinand and Vidic were drawn to the ball, and Pedro pulled away with ease....

Nik Storey: I could see Fergie was getting quite frustrated at times from the sidelines and rightly so - that was the most disappointing aspect to the game.

James_WrittenOff: I wonder if he thought in his mind he was happy with the tactics but that the players were unable to carry them out and were surprised just how adaptable Barca were and how they could counter anything that United tried.

James_WrittenOff: A big disappointment was the lack of threat from Valencia on the right who failed to get at Abidal at any time. A game too far for him or something else?

Nik Storey: Oh absolutely; I have no doubt as I said earlier that Fergie knew his approach would work 'theoretically', and potentially better than crowding the middle would have - and for the first 20 mins or so it worked a treat: Valencia tucking in watching Iniesta's movement; Park likewise with Alves and Messi who appeared to retreat quite often into a central right position; Evra often working alongside Vidic and Ferdinand, pressing the space in front of the backline. Barcelona were simply able to adapt as you say, and this resulted in us being even further squeezed back, Valencia thus suffered the consequences of starting so deep. 

Nik Storey: Various other things I loved watching Barcelona on Saturday: Xavi’s control of the midfield, Pedro’s opportunism and Messi’s astonishing movement both on and off the ball was a joy to behold. But away from the ‘big names’, you look at Valdes’ distribution, the timely runs of Abidal and Alves and the excellent anticipation and tackle execution of Mascherano. Full credit goes to Guardiola who has worked tirelessly to perfect the system that we see today, adding to the good work of Rijkaard before him, not to mention the unique youth development structure they pour their efforts into.

James_WrittenOff: Where do you think United go from here? What will be on Fergie's mind over the summer about how to best take on the challenges of next season?

James_WrittenOff: Midfield reinforcements the priority? 

Nik Storey: Firstly I think we have to tip our hats to Sir Alex and the coaching staff (which includes Phelan!) for a stunning season – to come so close (yet admittedly so far) to a second treble is a tremendous achievement and it is testament to the faith the manager has had in his squad and in his development of some of the younger players (take the Da Silvas for example).

Nik Storey: But I do feel that Fergie will seek to refresh and replenish in the summer, with arguably Scholes' 'replacement' high on the list of priorities yes.

James_WrittenOff: Agree completely. Amazing achievement considering all the ups and downs of the season to lead United so close to such success. Very easy to forget that every fan would have taken winning 19th title and anything else would have been a bonus.

James_WrittenOff: Before we talk about Scholes, who is your pick as a replacement?

Nik Storey: Its hard to be precise with these things, I've always trusted the manager in this aspect - but I must say that Modric is a firm favourite of mine. I have said for some time that it would be a 'No.8' or regista, rather than the 'No.10' that would be highest up Fergie's priority list, so in this sense Modric - as I thought Ozil last season would - is the type of player that would complement the current midfield best I feel. Then we are perhaps a defender and a left sided player (Young?) short.

James_WrittenOff: I would definitely concur with you about Modric. Have always liked him and think he is perfect for us either in a two in centre midfield or as the attacking midfielder in a three. His link play with Rooney would be magical and I think he could end up an Old Trafford legend in time. Also think his goal scoring would improve in our team.

James_WrittenOff: As a known Berbatov fan, how would you feel if the Bulgarian was offered in a deal for Modric as has been suggested?

Nik Storey: Firstly, I not one to read too much into transfer speculation, but there is no doubt Fergie has been amazed by Hernandez's swift progression, which has reduced the chances of Berbatov in the last quarter of the season; but for me, getting rid would only create further issues - you would need to replace him, and Owen isnt the answer, and (without discussing Macheda and Diouf in depth) Welbeck can't be expected to step right in. Therefore I'd be very surprised if it was Fergie's choice (perhaps Berbatov will crave more match time) to get rid of a player - who lest we forget - has been pivotal to us retaining the title.

Nik Storey: If a straight cash deal for Modric can't be done however .....

James_WrittenOff: The problem as you say is the need for a replacement who would probably need to be experienced and would end up being £20m which seems a lot for someone who may sit on the bench a lot!

James_WrittenOff: Today has seen the announcement of the retirement of Paul Scholes although he will remain with the club in a coaching capacity. What are your thoughts on the legacy left behind by the midfield genius?

Nik Storey: As my favourite position on the football pitch, I have always revered the great central midfielders of our time; With Roy Keane and Zinedine Zidane, Scholesey goes down as one of my all time favourite players. I was hoping the rumours were not true, but alas they are, and in a way there was no better way to bow out: in a European Final against the world's best having secured that elusive 19th league title. What a man, what a professional what a truly remarkable maestro of a footballer. We'll miss him won't we?!

James_WrittenOff: Scholes will go down as one of my favourite players over the last 30 years with Robson, Keane and Cantona. Massively under valued in the UK but the true recognition of his genius are the plaudits from the great and the good of world football. A most "un-English" player and one that has created the blueprint for the modern midfielder
 
James_WrittenOff: To be honest, I am glad he has gone out at the top rather than when it is clear he is no longer up to it. Nothing sadder than seeing that in a legend who goes on too long. He will have a well deserved testimonial in August and I hope all the greats who have eulogised about him will turn out in appreciation.

Nik Storey: I sincerely hope so too James. Legend.

James_WrittenOff: Also, love the story that 5 Barca players had a sweepstake to see who could get Scholes shirt at end of game and Iniesta won and made a beeline for the ginger genius at the end of the game. Wonderful!

Thanks to Nik for his time discussing the game and please follow him on Twitter.

We hope to run more of these web-chats over the summer discussing various issues related to United and football in general, be sure to check Twitter for more news.

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