Mistakes have consequences. They are part of the mix. In both cases the
Premier League team kyboshed their own chance. The price was paid by
spectators, who were left with a nagging sense of imbalance and anti-climax.
The aim was to see the whether Man City were anywhere near Barcelona’s level
yet – and how far Arsenal have come in the last six months. You can never be
sure with 10 v 11, but this much is clear: Barcelona and Bayern keep the
ball far better than the top English sides.
Arsenal’s 14th consecutive visit to the last 16 of the Champions League placed
them toe to toe with the World and European champions whose uber-charismatic
manager is a younger, more intense, stubbly version of Arsène Wenger. Old
uncle Arsène must look at Pep Guardiola and envy his ability to impose his
vision ruthlessly and at such a tender age.
This was Wenger’s trademark once. From 1996 to 2005 his dream of sweeping
rhythmic play produced some of the best football seen in these islands. It
generated trophies, too, until they dried up nine years ago. Guardiola,
though, has not built teams as Wenger has. At Barcelona he inherited a bank
vault of talent and this Bayern Munich side were Treble winners when he
ended his New York sabbatical. Yet nobody could question his inspirational
influence. With a few tactical adjustments and an infusion of energy he is
driving this Bayern side to new heights.
Within three minutes Guardiola was lecturing Jerome Boateng for smashing the
ball long instead of passing it short. In central midfield, Bayern’s coach
can delve into a treasure trove. Toni Kroos was majestic. His goal on 53
minutes perfectly expressed his talent. Alongside him, Thiago Alcantara and
Javi Martinez were relentless. With this Bayern side we are seeing midfield
play of a mesmerising quality.
European and Fifa Club World Cup champions, they were entitled to make life
hard for Arsenal, who started well but spent the second-half in siege
formation. Wenger’s decision to start Yaya Sanogo, 127 minutes into his
Arsenal career, ahead of Olivier Giroud, was surely borne of the turmoil in
Giroud’s personal life, but was not a significant factor, the way the game
turned out.
Twelve months after they lost 3-1 to Bayern at the same stage here, Arsenal
could at least take comfort from the plethora of chances missed by their
guests. Thomas Muller, who replaced Mario Mandzukic, had said: “We need to
be equipped with our killer instinct.” But for the most part Arsenal’s
blockade held up well.
Bayern had been effusive about Arsenal and Britain’s capital: “When you travel
to London, to such a fantastic stadium to play such good opponents, you feel
joy in your heart,” said Uli Hoeness, their president, while Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge, a fellow board member, praised the Gunners for the steps they
have made in the last 12 months: “Arsenal had no chance of winning the title
a year ago – and now they do,” he said. “They’ve been very active in the
transfer market. The quality of the team has improved.”
This warm glow emanated from the happy memories of last May, when Bayern beat
Borussia Dortmund at Wembley to secure their fifth European title.
They used the same London hotel and sounded like lovers revisiting an old
haunt. Once Szczesny went off, the game was no more taxing than a romantic
city break.
In the dying minutes Muller practised what he had preached and headed Bayern’s
second: another echo of the City-Barcelona game, where the visitors had
scored late to push the tie (probably) beyond reach. No finger-pointing,
please. Sometimes there is no one to blame but yourself.
*http://ift.tt/NcuXyG
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar