But yesterday morning Pep Guardiola’s side brought something a little different to the table, and it was a tactic which helped give them the comfortable victory their performance deserved.
What we normally associate with this Barca side is the remarkable ability to move and keep the ball, either through a rapid dribble, a neat combination of one and two touches or a patient build-up which burst into life through a second or third man run, and a precise defence-splitting ball.
Often it results in a player getting in behind the opponent’s defence, where a short square pass inevitably results in a tap-in.
We also know about their incredible ability to win the ball early and high, always maintaining pressure, with or without the ball.
What we rarely associate with the Catalans is a succession of long-distance strikes.
It is a tactic more often associated with the English game, where it’s used to try and break down packed, deep-sitting defences.
But yesterday, and particularly in the second period, we saw Barcelona unleash a bevy of long distance shots, resulting in both second half goals, superbly struck by Messi and Villa.
Even before Messi’s left footed out-swinger on 54 minutes, came a couple of strikes from outside the box from Iniesta and Xavi.
With Manchester United dropping deeper and deeper in the wake of Barca’s domination of the ball, Guardiola’s men began to find their avenues of getting in-behind blocked.
Soon enough they were dropping balls square, to the edge of the box, a strategy designed in part to force the retreating defence to step-out, thus creating more space, but also to take advantage of the space afforded them in front of Vidic and Ferdinand.
With Giggs, Carrick and Park shuffling one way, then the other, powerless to block the space on the vast Wembley pitch, the invitation was there every time.
It soon became a shooting gallery, with Xavi forcing Van der Sar to save to his right, before Iniesta struck one beautifully, but straight at the Dutchman.
A short time later, after Messi had burnt Nani down the right flank, only to run into a bevy of white shirts, the ball was laid out to the edge of the box by Busquets, where Villa shaped a peach into the top corner.
It highlighted everything that was so perfect about this Barca performance in the Champions League final, and proved what a shrewd bunch of thinkers this club has nurtured.
Always calculating, forever probing, they were able to find the answers. If it wasn’t quite working in behind, they were able to lay it out and produce something special from deep.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Same as Barca.... although with Pedro coming in and Villa being purchased for this year it is now 7 Iniesta Puyol Hernandez Pedro Busquets Pique Villa
shahsan
Guest
Usually 6: Sepp Maier, Paul Breitner, Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Uli Hoeness. Spain and Barcelona are much, much better to watch though. In that sense there is no contest. But Beckenbaur and Muller I would rate as among the best in their positions of all time. Of the Barca bunch i would say that only of Messi, though Xavi and Iniesta are great players too.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Yes, maybe..... even better results! 72 Euro, 76 Euro runner up 74 World Cup 74-75-76 European club champions Did Bayern Munich provide half the German team?
Shahsan
Guest
What about West Germany and Bayern Munich in the period 1972-1976?
Striker
Guest
The only team that can stop Barcelona would have to Brisbane Roar.
punter
Guest
I rate Barcelona better than Spain, because Barcelona is Spain with Messi added to the team.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
This is now the most successful grouping of player's in history. 2008 - Spain European Champion's 2009 - Barcelona European Club Champion 2010 - Spain WORLD Champion's 2011 - Barcelona European Club Champion In the past, the greatest team has either been a club or a nation, but never BOTH!
Michael
Guest
Agreed. Nani looked lively when he came on.
Michael
Guest
Patrice Evra had a shocker. On another day, he may have had more luck keeping those square plays at bay. Pedro's goal was a gift from Evra. And thankfully, Barca stayed on their feet and played. And so did Man U. Three cheers for both of them. Can you imagine if The Special One was on one side of this game? It would have been a cry-fest.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
I repeat my comment on other article.... "Man U should have done what Holland did against Spain in World Cup final of last year. After Spain dominated the first 10 minutes of the final, the Dutch decided to rough them up. It nearly worked for them! Of course they lost total respect from many people but if you are willing to pay that price, why not?"
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
For the opening 10 minutes, I reckon, Man United had a terrific plan that worked beautifully at containing Barca ... but, the trick is to implement that plan for 90 minutes! Basically, it involved the midfield and forwards working incredibly hard to press Barca's players very high up the park - well inside Barcelona's half. If you allow Barca's midfield too much space in your own half - and the opening 2 goals were examples of this - then you are going to be picking the ball out of the back of your net. The opening goal, Xavi was allowed to run unopposed with the ball for 10-15m and, when Xavi is allowed the freedom to do this, you can be certain of one thing - his pass will be delivered with inch-perfect precision to the striking foot of a Barca player in the penalty box. The second goal ... well, the United midfield just stood around and somehow didn't notice Lio Messi lurking - yup, one of the most recognisable faces on the planet simply went unnoticed as United players just stood around minding their own business. The third goal ... a comedy of errors in United's box, but oh boy ... what a sublime finish from David Villa! On any other day, I'd have been jumping around and savouring this sumptuous feast of football perfection ... what a shame Barca saved their best for my team.
gawa
Guest
The change of tactic was also the reason for Barcalonas first goal, they purposefully fell deep for a few minutes to draw Man Utd out into attack. Utd must have felt they were getting a chance to re-establish themselves after their bright and energetic start, simply Barcelona allowed them to attack to creat some space infront of Utd's defensive line. Didn't realise what they had done until the sudden break forward that led to the opener. This was a classic final and credit must go to Sir Alex for sending his team out to try and play their game without simply trying to spoil the ocassion.
Striker
Guest
What a game i doubt we will see one like this again Barcelona were on another planet.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Villareal managed to contain them somewhat.
Futbanous
Guest
Agree completely, work with the ball,then when youve done that, well work with the ball. Messi's eyes glaze over when the ball is at his feet. Why he knows its under his complete control,part of him, leaving his mind free to create.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Wonderfully put, Stevo. Until the age of 13, kids should be told that Football is all about .... technique, technique, technique. Forget about winning and losing or developing "a good engine" - just grab a ball, go out in the backyard and start practising. Unlike every other sport that is played with a ball, in Football the ball needs to be controlled with the feet and moved across the ground with the feet and, for human beings, using the feet for such tasks is not natural - so the skill has to be learnt, and learnt at a young age.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Tony---great analysis and what a team Baca are.. How do you stop them..? I'm trying to think of a defensive strategy to stop them and all I can think of is how much space Baca's midfielder had. I am no fan of man marking, but in this case I think it would have worked---having players standing right up in their face for 90 mins. Cut down their possession rate from 70% to 50% would be your only chance to snatch something out of the game. Surrendering possession so easily to them is why teams can't beat them. They seem to thrive on teams who try to play a zone defence where they enjoy 70% possession of the ball and probe at will. I reckon you have to man mark tighter in the midfield, be up in their face to cut down the 70% possession they enjoy to at least only 50% to give your team a chance.
Midfielder
Guest
Tony Well spotted I tho the same thing ... the long balls down the flanks caught Man U out... IMO the game lived up to all the hype ... Huge cong's to Man U ... I did not seen one """ on purpose hurt you foul""" the game was very clean ... and Barca players for the most part were not falling over claiming they were half dead.. Huge credit to both coaches for this ... must be huge respect between the clubs...
nordster
Guest
agreed ... valuing possession is a skill our kids really do need to learn. The SSG program is going some way there, it will take a lot of time though. the ball as an extension of the player is something thats second nature overseas. Those hours and hours spent like u say, creates something instinctive which u see in a player like Messi.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I also liked the space that Messi created off the ball with some of his runs. Obviously he is a threat and defenders respond accordingly.