Barcelona Masterclass, two nil on a Roman night.

Catalan Republic versus the mighty dollar of the Glasers' debt ridden Empire. Dumbfounded English Premier League Champions unable to comprehend the galaxy they were about to enter. This was no well heeled squad of merely professional footballers. Having beaten Madrid's centralised power into the dust, here was a team raising the banner of an independent republic, well into the Rome, Berlusconi deranged night. There's something going on here and You don't know what it is, do you Mr Jones?, Ferguson's bitter, smug face, not even twisted into some sort of a grimace, dismissive, in denial, like the rest of his team , except Rooney at least showing some genuine emotion.

And what a master class it was, Eto'o's opening near post goal against the initial run of play then the Empire glancing at each other 'What went wrong? And where was Ronaldo, nowhere to be seen until near the end fouling Puyol out of spite and yellow carded for his troubles. But what of the sublime, gravity defying Messi and Iniesta displaying a fluency absent on occasions from the Chelsea saga.. and then Xavi's perfectly weighted cross on to the head of Messi, the ball arching full of grace into Van der Sar's net. Two nil on the night. Man U hardly with an attacking chance, for all the depth of the squad for all the money raised on debt ridden arms as long as your trouser legs, nowhere to be seen.

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