The struggle of such clubs includes rivalry of styles and characters, and completely different, but cool coaches. Contrasts in everything. Even their appearance emphasized them.
“Barcelona” on the lawn “Camp Nou” looked spectacular, as befits the most beautiful team in the world. Bright T-shirts with gilded numbers, headbands, multi-colored patent leather boots - some have red, some have blue, and some have shiny stripes. “Liverpool” in dull pale green tones behind this magnificence was lost.
The hosts and attacked sweepingly and colorfully, confidently crowding the opponent. They scored a wonderful goal, as it should be: Zambrotta passed Gerrard and made a transfer of amazing accuracy to Deco's head. A few minutes later he jumped to another's gate once more, but missed a little. Then the judges incorrectly caught Saviola in an offside position. There was also the fall of Ronaldinho in the penalty area after a collision with a Carragher brand bulldozer. The Catalans were playing the game, the Merseysiders were hiding. In the stands, Samuel Eto'o rejoiced in a white allendelon cloak.
Then the “Barcelona” went interruptions. First, I put the batteries in seemingly restored form Messi. He began to get confused in the defense of the guests of Saviola. Ronaldinho did not play the game initially. So suddenly it was discovered that the huge advantage of the hosts, who rolled the ball endlessly, was more and more like narcissism.
“Liverpool” slowly woke up, getting more and more space from the opponent and increasingly using sensible transmission. Perhaps the first half would have remained for the team of Frank Rykard, if not Bellamy. They helped the scandalous Welshman, firstly, Kate, secondly, Marquez and Belletti, for some reason jumping around the Dutchman, thirdly, Victor Valdes, who could not cope with a simple blow.
Scoring, Bellamy very similarly portrayed a golf club hit, recalling his difficult relationship with Riise. “Liverpool” received a very attractive 1: 1.
In the second half, Rikard began to act. Javi and Mott left the field, Julie and Iniesta appeared. As a result, “Barca” sank center - to withstand the pressure of Sissoko, Gerrard and Xabi Alonso was no one. Fouls became more and more. True, the Catalans slightly dispersed the attack. Saviola cheered up, and certainly would have equalized Julie’s score, had Messi decided on a timely transfer. Such, for example, that Gerrard gave Keith. Victor Valdez coped with the Dutchman, but the ball bounced with Bellamy, who passed the ball to Riise. The Norwegian struck very accurately. Well, sort of like a golf club ...
In the second half there was generally a lot of interesting things. Kate, for example, struck just above the crossbar. Saviola ruined the exit one on one. It happened and free at the goal of the hosts, after their goalkeeper inappropriately grabbed the ball with his hands. Eto'o is sad. And the best team of the continent turned sour irrevocably.
There were opportunities to score with Barcelona, but the point was not in them, but in Liverpool. The famous cup character of the English has not gone anywhere. Benitez, apparently, will not be able to win the Premier League until he strengthens the roster with the help of American money. But in the relegation games, his team is still dangerous as no other. He still knows how to remember the result. Football “Liverpool” - ruffy, thoughtful, tough - able to puncture any opponent, whether it be a powerful “Inter”, a quick “Valencia” or a graceful “Barca”.
By the way, she is also in the game. Go on to Anfield to listen to singing.
Vladimir STOGNIENKO
BARCELONA - LIVERPOOL - 1: 2 (1: 1)
Goals: 1: 0 - Deco (14), 1: 1 - Bellamy (43), 1: 2 - Riise (74).
BARCELONA: Victor Valdes, Belletti, Motta (Iniesta, 54), Marquez, Puyol, Xavi (Julie, 65), Zambrotta, Deco, Ronaldinho, Saviola (Gudjonsen, 82), Messi.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Arbeloa, Finnan, Sissoko (Zenden, 84), Xabi Alonso, Bellamy (Pennant, 80), Gerrard, Kate (Crouch, 90 + 4).
Warning: Agger (23), Kate (35), Belletti (38), Sissoko (61), Bellamy (77), Zambrotta (90 + 3).
February 21st. Camp Nou, 22.45.
Judge: Kyros Vassaras (Greece).