While Liverpool and Barcelona were just getting ready for the start of the second leg of the 1/8 finals, fans were giving a concert at the crowded Anfield. Local fans in the performance of club chants surpassed themselves, voicing what was easily read in their faces - complete confidence in the coming victory. In such an atmosphere, visiting Spaniards, compactly located on one of the side stands, were quiet and restrained. Their destiny was to pray and wait for a miracle from their idols.
In addition to the fans, the Catalans brought to England ballast of three defeats in a row in the top matches of the season. 1: 2 from “Valencia” and “Seville” in the example and from “Liverpool” in the Champions League - three different motives about the same thing. About a peculiar syndrome of the second season after tremendous success. However, everything is peculiar to Barca, even crises.
However, if there is still enough time to correct the internal affairs, then in the European campaign it was necessary to change the situation here and now. The score after the first match did not leave the Spaniards any choice. Frank Rikard decided to play three defenders, sacrificing flanks and saturating the center as much as possible. The time has come to show the character, because war is not the best place for dancing. And Barcelona, drawing in Ronaldinho’s belly and hiding his smile, got down to business.
The first priority of Barca has always been to control the ball. The Catalans received it immediately - the hosts did not really need the ball. However, things did not go further than skiing in their half of the field. Liverpool played an order of magnitude faster, instantly changing defensive moves to attackers. Having spotted the too noticeable weaknesses of the guest houses, the Merseysiders beat over and over again in unprotected places.
“Liverpool” also spoiled his pre-match mood, having lost the case last Saturday, “Manchester United”. Painful for pride, this defeat had little effect on the general state of affairs - it has long been clear that English trophies this season will bypass Merseysiders attention. But there was an extra reason to concentrate efforts on the League, especially since here the “Reds" are doing better. With the arrival of Rafa Benitez, Liverpool seemed to be bifurcated. In the Premier League, the club often allows itself to be bored, play without mood and lose points in unsuitable places for this. This season, the situation has changed a little, but the fight for the championship is still out of the question. But at the Euroarena the team seems to be transforming. The point here is not only in the famous “cup character”, but also in the performers, in the manner of the game, sharpened sharply for the result and the specific opponent.
A specific opponent acted too predictably, helpfully fit into Benitez's tactical plans. Over and over throughout the first half, Dirk Kate, Craig Bellamy, Stephen Gerrard and Jon Arne Riise burst into free zones and threatened to deprive the match of intrigue at the very beginning. The Norwegian was especially zealous - in the first 15 minutes he delivered three most dangerous blows, the powerful force of one of which was felt on himself by the crossbar.
“Barcelona” at this time, despite the catchy canary T-shirts, was not visible on the field. Eto'o, whose return was so much talked about, took his place on the left flank, where he successfully overslept the entire first half. Ronaldinho and Messi almost did not receive the ball behind the central circle, and Iniesta sometimes forced to fall on the left flank of the defense. The idea of Raikard, successfully tested in the cup confrontation with Zaragoza, resolutely refused to work at Anfield. Barca in the first 20 minutes was very reminiscent of Sheffield.
And by the end of half an hour of the game it was time for the Catalans to try on the image of Watford. First, the owners immediately missed a triple chance: Bellamy and Kate hit Valdes with a point-blank ball, and Puyol repelled Riise for the unfortunate goalkeeper on the line. A few minutes later, the goalkeeper who had not yet come to his senses laid the ball on Sissoko's leg. Malian struck for sure, although it was worth it - at the gate. Statistics of the first half, “Barcelona” should be shy to show anyone - 1:10 shots and 0: 6 on target. “Liverpool” was supposed to remove all the questions in 45 minutes, but was sympathetic. What he soon regretted.
In the second half, a slightly different Barca came out. Control of the ball became more effective, waves of attacks began to get closer to the goal of Liverpool. Having cleared his throat during the break, Ronaldinho took the floor. First, the Brazilian dangerously performed the “standard”, and then broke through the center into the box and shot into an empty corner. But hit the post. It seemed that Reina fended off the gaze.
“Liverpool” threw out too many emotions in the first half and slightly eased the pressure, believing in its strength. Benitez felt something was amiss and removed Bellamy from the field, moving him to the center of the Gerrard field. However, the replacement of Raycard worked. Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is better acquainted with English football than partners, entered the game without swinging - he picked and scored, happily avoiding the ineptly placed offside networks. Goal abruptly turned the situation around, returned the game intrigue and nerve. Rykard's eyes sparkled, Benitez began to change in his face. On emotions, “Barca” rushed forward, and already “Liverpool” began to resemble some kind of “Athletic” from Bilbao. However, the Merseysiders quickly pulled themselves together, remembered the covenants of the coach and did not allow a heart attack ending, moving the game away from the goal. The Catalans were simply not in the form to take advantage of the opponent’s knockdown. They won, but this was a formal victory - real joy remained to the opponent.
Liverpool lost the second time in four days in their field with a score of 0: 1. In the Premier League, this led to the collapse of their last hopes to rise above third place, in the Champions League - to reach the quarter-finals now in the rank of one of the favorites of the tournament. All the same double standards that two years ago brought the Merseysiders to European triumph.
LIVERPOOL England - BARCELONA Spain - 0: 1 (0: 0)
Goal: 0: 1 - Gudjohnsen (75).
LIVERPOUL: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard, Riise (Fabio Aurelio, 77), Bellamy (Pennant, 67), Kate (Crouch, 90).
BARCELONA: Victor Valdes, Marquez, Puyol, Thuram (Gudjohnsen, 71), Oleger, Iniesta, Xavi, Deco, Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o (Julie, 61).
Warnings: Arbeloa (16), Sissoko (20), Thuram (29), Pennant (80), Reina (81).
March, 6. Liverpool. Anfield.
Judge: Herbert Fandel (Germany).
The first match is 2: 1.