football prevails…

Pedro is mobbed by celebrating team mates.

So the final Clásico came and went last night, and many are thankful that, not only has the intense & bitter series finished, but that also footballing justice was served. Barcelona preserving their 2-goal cushion with the game finishing 1-1 and the tie 3-1 overall.

When the referee finally blew to signal the end of this unprecedented 18 day, 4 part poisonous epic, the main protagonist was nowhere to be seen. Rumoured to be taking refuge away from the Camp Nou and in the comfort of a hotel room, Jose Mourinho must have been left to think ‘if only…’.


When paired together, they form two of the most disappointing words in the entire English language.

If only.

If only Pepe hadn’t have been sent off. If only the gameplan to contain for 70 minutes, then  to attack with Kaka, Higuain, Benzema et al was allowed to be implemented. If only the officials hadn’t fallen for the many moments of play acting from Alves, Busquets, Pedro and Messi. If only we’d have grown the grass longer. If only the referee didn’t support Barcelona. If only UEFA didn’t support Barcelona. If only UNICEF sponsored us!!!

Or how about a different view? One were the names of two great sporting institutions were not dragged through the mud with accusations leading to counter-accusations, arguments leading to counter-arguments. One were the attempt to play football actually takes precedence over intentional provocation and rough house tactics. By all means defend and defend resolutely. Only a fool would open up or attempt to play this Barcelona team at their own game – especially with the 5-0 humiliation still fresh in the watching world’s memory. But one would expect more from Real Madrid – the most successful club team in European Cup football. A team with a proud history and a strong ethos – simply to win is not enough, they must win with style. The most expensive team ever assembled, a team blessed with a multitude of attacking talent. And to go alongside it all, they now had a coach who many regard as the best coach in the world. Jose Mourinho – the special one. 

Much is made of Mourinho’s infamous mind games, causing trouble where ever he goes, taking pressure off his teams and piling it onto his opponents and officials. However this time he went too far. When his consistent sly remarks regarding the opposition finally provoked a ‘furious’ reaction from Pep Guardiola, many thought he’d finally rattled his opposite number. The psychological battle had been won.

They were wrong. He had indeed provoked the Barcelona squad, however his emphasis on thinking the main battle had won here, had probably caused Madrid’s downfall. He took Barcelona for granted. Rather than come out, blinded by anger and charging aimlessly into the waiting Madrid ambush as Mourinho hoped, Barca waited. Holding possession and playing at a slower tempo than in previous games. Madrid looked puzzled. The emphasis was now forced upon on them as the home team – should they attack or continue to wait and scrap. Ronaldo looked frustrated. Ozil and Di Maria were ineffective, whilst a wealth of attacking talent looked on from the bench. Mourinho had no plan ‘B’. It was Guardiola who had won the psychological war.

The game was far from a classic, the true beauty was left to Messi to provide with two sublime goals. 2-0. Game over for Madrid and no way back for Mourinho. His dastardly plan had failed, though not that he would let the watching world see it like that.

When all was said and done his unsavoury brand of anti-football thankfully lost out. His managerial judgement has been called into question. It seemed his plan ‘A’ involved virtually replicating Holland’s tactics in the 2010 World Cup final - when they met…Spain. Holland v Spain. Real Madrid v Barcelona. Virtually the same players - same outcome. Only this time rather than scoring the winner, Iniesta provided Pedro with an inch perfect pass to give the killer blow in the second leg.

So with possibly the most eagerly anticipated series of football matches in European football history coming to a close, fans around the world were left to wonder.

If only...

If only Mourinho had stayed true (in part, at least) to Real Madrid’s ethos and attacked more in their home game (as they did in part, during the 2^nd leg). If only he had started with Higuain Kaka or Adebeyor. If only he had not soured what should have been a celebration and festival of exciting, beautiful football. If only Cristiano Ronaldo had lived up to many pundits ill informed view that have him ahead (or even an equal) of Messi in the standing of the world’s greatest player. If only…

In the end, at least football prevailed.