Barcelona- the last rites?
Bayern Munich’s 8- 2 destruction of Barcelona was not so much the end of an era as the last rites of great club that is no longer performing at the highest European level.
It set me wondering about the decline and revival of the great European clubs.
It all started in the old European Cup – a knock out competition – and Real Madrid in the 1950s.
Aided by the Generalissimo dictator Franco, Real Madrid won 5 times.
Stefano Ursulino will also argue that his Fiorentina – the foremost Italian club then – should not have had to play their final against Real in Madrid.
The Iberian peninsula continued to dominate with Benfica.
The two best English teams of that era, Manchester United and Spurs, failed to reach a final.
Then the power shifted to Lombardy in the sixties with the two Milan clubs.
It has been argued, especially by Brian Glanville, that shady dealings took place between these clubs and the referees.
Bayern Munich and Ajax won the trophy three times in the 70s. Ajax with their fluid total football were one of my favourite teams ever with Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens However only Bayern were really to revive with 2 more wins in the champions league.
Ajax became a breeding ground for fine young players who moved on.
Liverpool dominated the 80s with 3 wins under Bob Paisley but they had a significant advantage as their Home Union players such as Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen, Steve Nicol and Rush did not count as foreign imports.
When the Regulations were adjusted to 3 foreign players from outside the domestic football association their reign ended and AC Milan maximised the new one with the wealth of Berlusconi by signing Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard.
That reign came to an end when the team got old together and once again power shifted to Spain with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Both had Presidents elected by member fans and to appeal to them huge signings were made. Bayern, half owned corporately and half by the fans, provided a different model.
English football with the influx of overseas wealth took a different route but still – as they say in cricket – did not trouble the scorers with any run of Champions league victories.
The threat of starting their own league still gives enormous power to these clubs over the authorities like UEFA as they can flout the rules without fear of any punishment that might affect their success.
If Manchester City do win tonight the semi-final with Bayern will be a bell-weather of their level. Will once again English teams fail ?
In every sport teams come and go.
Team building is the most important element of a successful manger.
The articulate Rio Ferdinand observed on BT Sport that he was far more concerned by a manager’s ability to set up a winning side than his personality.
As for Barcelona, with a monumental wage bill and their 3 most expensive signings – Coutinho, Griezeman and Ouseman Dembele – not starting last night, they have lost their mojo.
Power lies in the club with Lionel Messi and if they want a manager capable of turning things around he will be looking to out the Argentinian. If they do not , it may be a long time until they win the Champions League again
As it is, to appease the fans they will probably appoint the club legend Xavi.
Glasgow Celtic, with a team that all lived within 15 miles of Glasgow, were the first Northern European side to win the European Cup in 1968 in Lisbon, where this year’s final will be played.
I foresee that Northern Europe will now dominate the Champions League.
