The Barcelona performance last night is what I am referring to. Watching the skilfull way that they played, set against the rather cumbersome performance of Manchester United, took me back to the late 60s and early 70s when that was what was expected of the Spanish and Italian sides. In the time before the Spain and Italy became cynical in their football, the one-touch, quick movement football that Barca provided last night was the hallmark of European football. I loved watching every minute of it.
Where does it leave football in this country though? Now I am not a Manchester United basher but it has to be said that they are the Premiership Champions and yet they were humbled last night. Could we see any of the other top 4 or 5 clubs in the Premiership doing any better on the evidence of last night?
Are Barca a one-off, or are we to expect that the top Spanish teams are going to match them? If so, we as a footballing nation are in trouble. Can we in this country climb up the hill and match them? It is a big hill to climb. Are we destined for a decade of being also-rans on the European stage? After the successes of the last few years it is a concerning prospect and one which I feel we may need to get used to.
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