Messi, Xavi, and Fabregas have put Barcelona three-goals-to-nil ahead of Santos in the FIFA Club World Cup in Yokohama Japan. The Catalans have had control from the opening moments and have not relinquished it but for a handful of non-scoring Santos offesive opportunities.
It’s been too easy for Barcelona; too easy because Santos chose to leave Elano and Henrique out of midfield; too easy because the ref has only caught one of the seven (by my careful count) professional counterattack stopping fouls Barcelona committed in the first half; and too easy because Barcelona is simply too good when it is inspired and motivated. They are both today.
Every time the Brazilians get the ball they send it down field in hopes that their forwards will win the ball. Each time the Catalans move down the field and lose the ball, it has been after they have controlled it for a dozen sure passes. If Santos does not wrestle some control of the midfield away from Barcelona—no mean feat—the game will have been decided this half.
Much like Real Madrid did at the Bernabeu a few days ago, Santos seems happy to be on the pitch and compared to the best team in the world. Barcelona is aware that they are here to make history, to ensure no one doubts that they are going through one of those extended periods that only a few clubs have ever experienced in the history of the sport.
Messi is in fifth gear and so are his co-best-player-in-the-world nominees from last year. Remember these names: Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas, and when at full strength, Villa, and Pedro. You will not find a more creative, skillful and potent a squad in the annals of the sport; only four teams come to mind. The Brazil national side of 1970 and the Dutch national side of the mid-to-late 1970s, when Cruyf decided to play, compare favorably. Also the Magical Magyars of the 1950s and the Real Madrid of the 1950-60s. But that is it in my book.
Enjoy the game for what it has been—a lesson by Barcelona. But, if Santos has anything to show, it will all take place in the second half, too late to change the outcome but hopefully enough time to enjoy a different game hereafter. But, expect Barcelona to keep their collective feet on the pedal, they are playing for a historic result.
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