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| Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United (4-0 agg): Champions League quarter-final – live reaction | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| So what’s next? Well, for Barca, the most likely assignment is a tie with Liverpool, and I’ve no idea how that might go. If Messi turns up, he can ruin any team, but Liverpool’s midfield will make it harder than United’s could simply by virtue of their running power. And their front three are obviously much better than United’s, though the first leg being in Catalunya will help Barca if they can get themselves a lead. | |
| They’re still playing in Turin, but Juve need two goals in what’s left of injury-time if they’re to beat Ajax. | |
| Barcelona were far, far too good for United tonight. United might’ve made it a more interesting night had they taken their chances in the opening minutes, but once Messi picked the ball up and spirited home that first goal, it was a matter, not of how but how many. He is unfathomably, humiliatingly, inspirationally, epochally wonderful, and we are honoured to be living in his time. | |
| This is fairly conclusive. | |
| 90+1 min Barcelona barge forward with Vidal, who pokes across to box and Suarez opens his legs to find Messi, seeking his hat-trick; he smashes a shot, but it’s straight at De Gea, who prangs away with an uppercutting arm. | |
| 90 min There’ll be two additional minutes. | |
| 90 min Here come United! Dalot charges down the right and leaps into a lovely, curling cross at which Sanchez dives, near post; he makes great contact too, and Ter Stegen is off the other way, expecting the ball to Lukaku in the middle. But he does brilliantly to right himself, getting a strong hand to push away. | |
| 89 min Suarez, still without a European goal this season, ducks inside Fred then outside - that’s lovely feet - then digs out a chip that sails over the bar. | |
| 89 min “Would have been a different story if it was Dundee United at Camp Nou in a European quarter final,” remembers Simon McMahon. “The past is indeed a foreign country.” | |
| Funny you should mention that; I think it was me who said... | |
| The forgotten story of ... Dundee United's glory years under Jim McLean | Daniel Harris | |
| 87 min “I actually do agree with you on Phil,’ returns Hubert O’Hearn. “When he was switched on, he’d harry the opposition, tackle, make interceptions etc. Problem was, you couldn’t count on him to do that every match. Even 3 out of 4 isn’t good enough at this level.” | |
| It’s not just that, I don’t think - if you’re going to play on the wing for Barcelona, you need pace and the ability to go on the outside. If you’re going to play in midfield, then you need to be involved all the time. | |
| 84 min Barca are sort of looking for a fourth, but not with any edge. United will consider themselves lucky to get out of this with a 3-0, if indeed they do. | |
| 82 min “Much in the way Fergie decided to cut Ince from his first great team after that Barca hammering in 94,” tweets Patrick O’Brien, “do you reckon Ole might dish out the same treatment to Pogba this summer?” | |
| It’s a tricky one, this. On the one hand, if United want to improve, getting rid of their most talented player sounds like a bad move. Buuuuut, Pogba is 26 now, so the player we see is the player he is, and as far as I can see, he’ll only ever be an adornment. In a better team, that’s useful to have - hell, in a crap team it’s still worth a fair few goals and assists a season. But I wonder if it’s possible to balance a midfield with him in it, because he does a number 10’s amount of work without delivering a number 10’s numbers. | |
| 81 min And another change for Barca: Coutinho accepts the applause as he leaves, but probably wondering how much of it is actually for Dembele, replacing him. | |
| 80 min United get serious: Sanchez replaced Lingard. Now you’ll see something. | |
| 79 min Busquets gives it away - I feel honoured to type those words, not many have - and Lingard pounces, driving a curler that’s not that far over the bar. United are coming back into this. | |
| 77 min Smalling has the audacity to tackle Suarez, and when the ref fails to give a foul, Suarez is booked for hectoring him. | |
| 76 min Ah, I missed Mr O’Hearn’s first tweet, which reads thusly: “Meanwhile, around the globe, sportswriters search their Thesaurus for original ways of expressing ‘inevitably’, ‘meekly’ and ‘surrendered’.” | |
| I’m not so sure about that one - I think United have done their best, it’s just that their best is nowhere near good enough. I don’t think they’ve not competed hard and I don’t think they’ve given up, I just think the game reflects the class imbalance. | |
| 75 min Another change for Barca: Vidal replaces Arthur, who’s been excellent tonight. | |
| 74 min Suarez arse-wiggles forward, so Fred hitchkicks into a tackle, winning the ball. Suarez reckons it’s a foul, so picks the ball up, and is penalised for handball. He accepts this with typical grace. | |
| 73 min “Your comment on Phil Coutinho reminds me of the late NFL coach Buddy Ryan,” tweets Hubert O’Hearn, “who griped about one of his wide receivers Cris Carter, ‘All he does is score touchdowns’.” | |
| At the elite level, it’s not enough to hammer in a few pearlers, especially in a flowing game like football. Coutinho has a lot of work to do, I’d say, as the only real future for him at Barca is in the midfield three. | |
| Oh, and Lukaku replaces Rashford, who’s being saved. | |
| 71 min Change for Barca: Semedo replaces Sergi Roberto. | |
| 70 min Well! Ajax have scored again in Turin, thorugh De Ligt! Juve now need to score twice! And the Nou Camp crowd absolutely love it. | |
| Juventus v Ajax: Champions League quarter-final – live! | |
| 68 min “Martial’s a weird one,” emails Matt Dony. “They bought him before the transfer market went (even more) crazy, so the £35m+ fee seemed absolutely hilarious. Then I watched him play as they eased him into the team, and stopped laughing. Especially against Liverpool. Now, it just seems kinda funny again.” | |
| He’s got a lot of the raw materials, but doesn’t seem to have the drive and competitive mania that you need. I should say, people think that stuff is easy, and a given - “If I had the technical skill, I’d run like mad in every game” - but it’s nonsense. Fighters go in the ring having skived in training, which tells you that people skive at anything, and mentality is a skill. Sport is simple, but humans are complicated. | |
| 67 min There’s stuff going on in the Premier League: Cardiff are 2-0 up away to Brighton, who are about to close the gap between the clubs to two points, a game in hand, and an easier run-in. | 67 min There’s stuff going on in the Premier League: Cardiff are 2-0 up away to Brighton, who are about to close the gap between the clubs to two points, a game in hand, and an easier run-in. |
| 66 min Phil Jones has removed his bandage. Barca are in trouble now. | 66 min Phil Jones has removed his bandage. Barca are in trouble now. |
| 65 min Change for United: Dalot replaces Martial, who has done a lot of nothing once again. | 65 min Change for United: Dalot replaces Martial, who has done a lot of nothing once again. |
| 64 min My word, there’s a long time to go in this game. Time is illmatic, keep static like wool fabric, as Nas once said. Anyway, Busquets lifts a ball into the box, Messi can;’t quite get at it, but it bounces down and he flips into an overhead that flies just past the far post. | 64 min My word, there’s a long time to go in this game. Time is illmatic, keep static like wool fabric, as Nas once said. Anyway, Busquets lifts a ball into the box, Messi can;’t quite get at it, but it bounces down and he flips into an overhead that flies just past the far post. |
| 64 min I’m pretty sure United would shake hands on 4-0 here. They should be so lucky. | 64 min I’m pretty sure United would shake hands on 4-0 here. They should be so lucky. |
| You don’t even need me to describe this! Messi, under no pressure, clips a ball out to Jordi Alba who feeds back inside to Coutinho, 25 yards out, left of centre. He looks up, the unfurls a curler that he places past De Gea and into the roof of the net for another superb goal. And he celebrates with his fingers in his ears and such, but the thing is, everyone knows he can do that - the problem is what, if anything, else he does. | You don’t even need me to describe this! Messi, under no pressure, clips a ball out to Jordi Alba who feeds back inside to Coutinho, 25 yards out, left of centre. He looks up, the unfurls a curler that he places past De Gea and into the roof of the net for another superb goal. And he celebrates with his fingers in his ears and such, but the thing is, everyone knows he can do that - the problem is what, if anything, else he does. |
| 60 min “From your MBM,” tweets Sam Jones, “I get the distinct impression that Jones may need to find a darkened room in which to rock back and forth later tonight.” | 60 min “From your MBM,” tweets Sam Jones, “I get the distinct impression that Jones may need to find a darkened room in which to rock back and forth later tonight.” |
| He’s actually not had a terrible game, but what can you do? If I may namedrop, Kevin Pietersen once told me that when England were flayed by Sehwag and Tendulkar in that amazing Test, in the middle of being gutted he realised how lucky he was to be stood at mid off in such close proximity to such unbelievable brilliance. So there’s that. | He’s actually not had a terrible game, but what can you do? If I may namedrop, Kevin Pietersen once told me that when England were flayed by Sehwag and Tendulkar in that amazing Test, in the middle of being gutted he realised how lucky he was to be stood at mid off in such close proximity to such unbelievable brilliance. So there’s that. |
| 57 min A long ball down the middle looks like it’s finding Rashford, but he can’t quite arrange his limbs, or there’s too much on it, and Barca break. Suarez finds Messi, gliding towards the United back four, and he opens his body to feed in Coutinho ... but Lindelof rips himself in half stretching to intercept. | 57 min A long ball down the middle looks like it’s finding Rashford, but he can’t quite arrange his limbs, or there’s too much on it, and Barca break. Suarez finds Messi, gliding towards the United back four, and he opens his body to feed in Coutinho ... but Lindelof rips himself in half stretching to intercept. |
| 55 min Talking of Martial, for how much longer should United persevere with him? He has lovely skill when running with the ball and is a decent finisher too, but likes to receive possession standing still, hardly ever runs in behind, and almost never gambles when a team-mate shoots, to get himself a tap-in. And the thing is, these aren’t difficult problems to solve, requiring will not skill. If he’s not sorted it by now, why will he sort it in the future? | 55 min Talking of Martial, for how much longer should United persevere with him? He has lovely skill when running with the ball and is a decent finisher too, but likes to receive possession standing still, hardly ever runs in behind, and almost never gambles when a team-mate shoots, to get himself a tap-in. And the thing is, these aren’t difficult problems to solve, requiring will not skill. If he’s not sorted it by now, why will he sort it in the future? |
| 54 min Young curls to the back post, but the ball is too high for Smalling, who can only head up into the air. | 54 min Young curls to the back post, but the ball is too high for Smalling, who can only head up into the air. |
| 54 min Martial runs at Sergi Roberto, who doesn’t know which way to turn as his man weaves inside and outside, eventually glad to concede a corner. | 54 min Martial runs at Sergi Roberto, who doesn’t know which way to turn as his man weaves inside and outside, eventually glad to concede a corner. |
| 53 min Messi flights his cross into De Gea’s arms. | 53 min Messi flights his cross into De Gea’s arms. |
| 52 min Jones was that kid who’d take deodorant on his arm til you worried it was gonna burn away. Again, he goes out to meet Messi, sees him go by, and eventually McTominay administers the foul, close to the right corner flag. | 52 min Jones was that kid who’d take deodorant on his arm til you worried it was gonna burn away. Again, he goes out to meet Messi, sees him go by, and eventually McTominay administers the foul, close to the right corner flag. |
| 49 min In a way, United could use a hiding here - hear me out. The Glazers aren in the crowd, and could do with seeing just how far United are from contending for this trophy. There are other ways to close the gap beyond spending money - good coaching, clever tactics and promoting youth - but that’s not going to be enough. United need to buy two serious midfielders and a right-winger to contend domestically, and if they plan to take on the best, they need a centre-back as well. | 49 min In a way, United could use a hiding here - hear me out. The Glazers aren in the crowd, and could do with seeing just how far United are from contending for this trophy. There are other ways to close the gap beyond spending money - good coaching, clever tactics and promoting youth - but that’s not going to be enough. United need to buy two serious midfielders and a right-winger to contend domestically, and if they plan to take on the best, they need a centre-back as well. |
| 48 min Lovely from Barca, Coutinho to Alba, who could pick out Suarez in the middle but instead cuts back for Messi; he opens his body to try a left-footed curler ... De Gea has it covered, but Young extends a leg to deflect behind. The corner comes to nowt. | 48 min Lovely from Barca, Coutinho to Alba, who could pick out Suarez in the middle but instead cuts back for Messi; he opens his body to try a left-footed curler ... De Gea has it covered, but Young extends a leg to deflect behind. The corner comes to nowt. |
| 47 min When Barca went 3-1 up in the 2011 final, with 21 minutes still to go, Rooney asked their players to take it easy. I wonder if anyone fancies doing likewise tonight. | 47 min When Barca went 3-1 up in the 2011 final, with 21 minutes still to go, Rooney asked their players to take it easy. I wonder if anyone fancies doing likewise tonight. |
| 46 min Off we go again... | 46 min Off we go again... |
| Right then, the players are back... | Right then, the players are back... |
| “Just seen the first goal,” tweets Gary Naylor. “Fred has to obstruct him and take the yellow once Messi is on his left foot 30 yards from goal doesn’t he? It’s what Fernandinho would have done.” | “Just seen the first goal,” tweets Gary Naylor. “Fred has to obstruct him and take the yellow once Messi is on his left foot 30 yards from goal doesn’t he? It’s what Fernandinho would have done.” |
| In retrospect, he has to do anything he can, but it happened so quickly that I’m not sure he could’ve done given his body position. Fernandinho has the muscle memory, so is a different case. | In retrospect, he has to do anything he can, but it happened so quickly that I’m not sure he could’ve done given his body position. Fernandinho has the muscle memory, so is a different case. |
| Half-time email: “All is not lost for United,” reckons Charles Antaki. “They have a secret agent in the Barcelona side, i.e. Philippe Coutinho, who is doing exceptionally well at contributing virtually nothing, and giving the ball away in a charitable manner. Apparently he’s looking for a new club in the summer.” | Half-time email: “All is not lost for United,” reckons Charles Antaki. “They have a secret agent in the Barcelona side, i.e. Philippe Coutinho, who is doing exceptionally well at contributing virtually nothing, and giving the ball away in a charitable manner. Apparently he’s looking for a new club in the summer.” |
| I think Barca said yesterday that he’s definitely staying, but I’m not altogether surprised that he’s struggling. First of all, he’s not a winger - least of all in a side who like to stretch the pitch - and he’s a player who can win you a game but won’t really help you control it. if he’s not sticking in brilliant finishes from around the edge of the box, he’s not generally doing that much. | I think Barca said yesterday that he’s definitely staying, but I’m not altogether surprised that he’s struggling. First of all, he’s not a winger - least of all in a side who like to stretch the pitch - and he’s a player who can win you a game but won’t really help you control it. if he’s not sticking in brilliant finishes from around the edge of the box, he’s not generally doing that much. |
| I’ve no idea how United approach the second half. Trying to keep the score down isn’t good for business, especially if it doesn’t work out, but trying to fight back is asking for trouble. Exciting! | I’ve no idea how United approach the second half. Trying to keep the score down isn’t good for business, especially if it doesn’t work out, but trying to fight back is asking for trouble. Exciting! |
| United gave it a brave go in the early stages and has Rashford scored not hit the bar, who knows. Ok, we all do - Barca have Messi, and in the context of this tie - in the context of most ties - that’s enough. | United gave it a brave go in the early stages and has Rashford scored not hit the bar, who knows. Ok, we all do - Barca have Messi, and in the context of this tie - in the context of most ties - that’s enough. |
| 45+1 min Messimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessi! He comes short and as the ball’s played into him, he feints left then turns right, diddling Jones, before megging him for the lols and zoning forward to find Jordi Alba on his outside. The ensuing cross is a beauty, low and hard for Sergi Roberto at the back post, and he slides in to shoot, but somehow De Gea, making up ground from the other side of his goal, dives to keep it out. That was glorious from all concerned. | 45+1 min Messimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessimessi! He comes short and as the ball’s played into him, he feints left then turns right, diddling Jones, before megging him for the lols and zoning forward to find Jordi Alba on his outside. The ensuing cross is a beauty, low and hard for Sergi Roberto at the back post, and he slides in to shoot, but somehow De Gea, making up ground from the other side of his goal, dives to keep it out. That was glorious from all concerned. |
| 45 +1 min There’ll be two added minutes, both of them consumed by Barcelona toying with United and ball. | 45 +1 min There’ll be two added minutes, both of them consumed by Barcelona toying with United and ball. |
| 45 min “United’s light rose away shirt looks like watered-down Palermo to me,” reckons Peter Oh. “Anyway, about the scoreline. Barça are sitting pretty now, ain’t they?” | 45 min “United’s light rose away shirt looks like watered-down Palermo to me,” reckons Peter Oh. “Anyway, about the scoreline. Barça are sitting pretty now, ain’t they?” |
| The kit looks like when Tracy in Jossy’s Giants washed their white away kit with her hockey bibs. | The kit looks like when Tracy in Jossy’s Giants washed their white away kit with her hockey bibs. |
| 44 min Rashford smashes into the wall. And before you ask me for predictions of equivalent soothsaying, tomorrow is Wednesday. | 44 min Rashford smashes into the wall. And before you ask me for predictions of equivalent soothsaying, tomorrow is Wednesday. |
| 43 min Pogba scythes through midfield and Rakitic slides him down; free-kick United, 25 yards out, just left of the D. Rashford looks like he’s having it, so presumably will smash into the wall.. | 43 min Pogba scythes through midfield and Rakitic slides him down; free-kick United, 25 yards out, just left of the D. Rashford looks like he’s having it, so presumably will smash into the wall.. |
| 41 min Barca win a free-kick down the right 30 yards from goal, and Messi picks out Rakitic at the near post, running from out to in; no one bothers to go with him, but he can only guide a header straight at De Gea. That’s a spectacular save, by the standard. | 41 min Barca win a free-kick down the right 30 yards from goal, and Messi picks out Rakitic at the near post, running from out to in; no one bothers to go with him, but he can only guide a header straight at De Gea. That’s a spectacular save, by the standard. |
| 41 min “You say Messi is better on grass,” tweets Michael Hann, “but to paraphrase a now-disgraced American athlete, has he ever smoked AstroTurf?” | 41 min “You say Messi is better on grass,” tweets Michael Hann, “but to paraphrase a now-disgraced American athlete, has he ever smoked AstroTurf?” |
| I think he’s more a 3G man, man. | I think he’s more a 3G man, man. |