A Football Report

By Anthony Lopopolo

They didn’t like being called the favourite. Barcelona almost always are these days, but something about AC Milan frightened them. Not so much the team, or its players, but the very thought of playing against Milan. Barcelona’s people spoke of their opponents in the round of 16 in the Champions League as if they were patron saints of the tournament. (And to some they are.)

But they came into Milan’s San Siro revering a familiar foe to such great extents. Milan’s history, their seven European titles, and their past performances against Barcelona — despite winning none of the seven previous games — intimidated them. Barca’s president, Sandro Rosell, didn’t feel relaxed. Xavi, too, speaking like a historian of the game, felt uneasy. “They have always made things difficult for us,” he told Sport.es before the game.

If Milan’s new team — only four of the team’s starters remained the same since the last time the two sides met — didn’t intimidate them, this idea of history did. Not what Milan are, but what they represent: a club demanding respect. Now, Bojan Krkic, the former Barcelona player, had at least said so: “Barca has the best in the world,” he told reporters, “but the San Siro commands respect.” So the visitors gave them every bit of it, maybe even too much. After all, it is Barcelona’s opponents who so often give too much respect. So often those opponents give up possession for the sake of defending.

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By Dermot Corrigan, imagining in Madrid

When the Iberian Championships was first mooted (last month, here on A Football Report), there was some skepticism in Spain as to the concept’s viability, given the tightness of the club schedule, rivalries between different footballing authorities with competing jurisdictions, the logistical challenges involved, fraught political atmosphere etc. But due to the diligence and far-sightedness of those involved in the project, and the generosity of a certain gulf-oil-money fuelled TV broadcaster looking to break into vital European markets, the first round of games is now taking place during this week’s international break.

As is customary in Iberia, the draw was organised to give the better supported teams the best possible chance of progressing, with the top four ranked sides - Castilla, Catalunya, Euskadi and Valéncia - securing home advantage for two of their three group games. Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque did the honours at the neutral territory of the Andorran FA HQ, with the coaches and captains of all eight teams showing up for the event, along with a healthy smattering of regional political dignitaries and cultural figures. There was a surprisingly positive mood of friendship and fraternity among all involved, especially with the first tranches of TV money being delivered up front.

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It’s interesting what you learn when you take a step back. The good people at Opta have recorded every movement of the European Championships so far and, thanks to their extraordinary work, we’re able to show you the all the passes that have made up all the matches that have been played at this wonderful tournament. At a glance, you’re able to understand the suffocating Spanish style, England’s midfield complex, and France’s preference for width. This is Euro 2012 by the passes. [posted by MG]

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By Fidel Leblanc

Arsenal fans, why are we so devastated by the protracted departure of Cesc Fabregas? Its not like we haven’t had three years to mentally and emotionally prepare ourselves for this, right? Yet, the idea of Arsenal will at the Emirates and abroad without Cesc Fabregas in the squad, let alone leading it, will seem very foreign, perhaps as foreign as it was not seeing Thierry Henry in the starting line up.

But at the end of the day, everyone and their mother (and their great-aunt and grandfather) knew this would happen. Barcelona are, as painful as it is to admit it, the best club side in the world, arguably in the history of football. Arsene knew they were too good to turn down.

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By Dominic Vieira, writing from Portugal

Tonight the answer to the everlasting debate is finally revealed in Zurich, will Iniesta, Messi or Xavi win the newly created FIFA Ballon d’Or? For the first time in 21 years the top 3 prizes will be awarded to players from one club, FC Barcelona. However, it’s the first time that the 3 finalists were all produced through the same club and a circumstance according to midfield maestro Andres Iniesta “will never repeat itself”. There was always controversy with the selection of these three names especially because players such as Sneidjer and Forlan performed phenomenally for their respective club and country. However, the three Barcelona players enjoyed another successful year playing consistent collective sublime trademark football; can the three of them win the award Mr.Blatter?

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