They did it ! FC Barcelona players finished their fantastic 2009 season with an incredible win over Manchester United in the Champions League final, tonight, in Rome Olympic Stadium. Samuel Eto’o and Leo Messi each scored in a technically breathtaking football match.
The first 5 minutes of the match were tense, with Manchester United keeping the ball and kicking 3 times at Victor Valdes. But it is FC Barcelona who scored first at the 10th minute, on its first offensive play of the match. Magistitailly put in ideal position by Andres Iniesta, Samuel Eto’o got rid of Vidic and opened the score (1-0). Like in Paris in 2006, Eto’o scored the first goal of the final for the Blaugrana.
Samuel Eto'o after his goal
A dominating Barça
Metamorphosed atfter the first goal, the catalan players were more active and kept the ball moving. Messi, at the 18th minute, tried his luck from 25 metres… A few inches over Van der Sar’s goal.
Iniesta and Xavi, as a magicians duet, were controlling the ball and trying to alert the forwards Eto’o and Henry on both sides, and Messi in the middle. But it was only one goal ahead that FC Barcelona went back at half-time.
Messi for the win… and history
With 20 minutes to go, Messi scored in between the 2 giants Vidic and Ferdinand… with the head! The Argentine Genius took off, and at the top of his of extension, put the ball out reach from Van der Sar (2-0)
Leo Messi scores the 2nd goal
Historical !
The Catalans have made history tonight. With a brand new defense (Alves and Abidal suspended, Marquez injured) they won their 3rd trophy of the season after the Spanish League and the King’s Cup earlier this month. Carles Puyol was a very happy captain, and Pep Guardiola, for his first season on the bench, was a very happy coach…
The team celebrates with the trophy
FC Barcelona: Valdés; Puyol, Touré, Piqué, Sylvinho, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta (Pedro, m.92), Messi, Eto’o, Henry (Keita, m.71)
Manchester United: Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Anderson (Tévez, m.46), Giggs (Scholes, m.75), Park (Berbatov, m.66), Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo
Goals:
First Half
10′ 1-0 : Eto’o
Second Half
70′ 2-0 : Messi
.jpg "Kaka and Pjanic")
