Barca 2-0 United: What the papers said
Reuters - Thursday 28 May 2009, 10:22
Newspaper headlines and reaction
reaction to Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in
the Champions League final in Rome on Wednesday.
- - - -
ENGLAND
The Times
UNITED LEAVE ROME IN RUINS
"They were outclassed by an outstanding Barcelona team -- a
group of players who showed what grace, elegance and class of
the highest order still exist far beyond the Elysian fields of
the Barclays Premier League." - Oliver Kay
The Daily Mail
HUMBLED
"Manchester United's dream of a second successive Champions
League triumph was shattered by the genius of Lionel Messi."
"United were passed to death by the seductive brilliance of
Barcelona." - Martin Samuel
The Independent
BEAUTIFUL BARCA STRIP THE FALLEN OF THEIR CROWN
"To call Barcelona the champions of Europe this morning is
to give them their lesser title. The one they demand,
unquestionably, is champions of football." - James Lawton
Daily Telegraph
BARCELONA FLATTEN UNITED'S EMPIRE
"Messi, so small of frame yet so immense a talent,
industrious as well as inventive, ended the debate over who was
the best player on the planet." - Henry Winter.
REALITY CHECK TOUGH TO ACCEPT
"Barcelona's geometric wizardry was a ligature that
squeezed the life out of United's challenge." - Kevin Garside
The Guardian
AS GLADIATORS CLASH, MESSI IS THE CHAMPION
"The clash of the world's two best teams and the two most
gifted footballers on the globe ended with Manchester United
losing a European Cup final for the first time in four
appearances and Barcelona's Lionel Messi asserting his
domination over the Premier League's Cristiano Ronaldo."
Daily Mirror
"Manchester United were on the wrong end of one of the most
one-sided Champions League finals there has ever been last
night. They marched into the Stadio Olimpico with dreams of
becoming the first team to retain the trophy but they were sent
away with a flea in their ear for their impudence."
- - - -
SPAIN
El Periodico
TOUCHING HEAVEN
"This resounding victory is a message to those who only
believe in results and winning. Barca have imposed a style of
play that has earned millions of eulogies from every corner of
the world.
"The most widely-broadcasted text message of 2009 has now
been sent, in large, golden letters: It is possible to win
playing well and putting on a spectacle. Copy this model. Be
daring." - Johan Cruyff column
Marca
THIS TEAM IS A WORK OF ART
"Barca were brave in the face of adversity and stayed true
to their convictions. To the exceptional merit of the players
needs to be added the mark of their coach. Guardiola has
overtaken the legendary Cruyff to become the principle
reference in the history of Barcelona." - Santiago Segurola.
AS
"There is no antidote to Barcelona's football. A treble,
exquisite play, youth-team players, Guardiola... Perfection.
Well yes, it turns out perfection does exist." - Alfredo Relano
Mundo Deportivo
"Pep knew he had to convert this team into a historical
one. Before the start of the game he showed the players a video
with examples of each one's best moves, interspersed with
images of gladiators. Yesterday the best players in the world
were artists when they had to be, and gladiators when
required." - Santi Nolla
- - - -
ITALY
Gazetta
STUPENDOUS BARCA
"The King Juan Carlos was in the stands, the queen
Barcelona was on the pitch. Come the final whistle, they all
celebrated a third, deserved, 'Blaugrana' Champions League,
after sinking ex-champions Manchester United.
"A true final and a true lesson from the debutante
Guardiola, who celebrates his third title after the league and
King's Cup."