As a Barca fan, of course I adore this animated pass-shot-goal graphic feature from ESPN Soccernet of Xavi's equalizing goal last night, a mesmerizing hymn to the innate superiority of the Barca way (and also something of an analog to the bullfight) — the chronic, monk-patient triangles; the fluttery, midfield prestidigitation, with increasingly close-in passes of the cape; the Catalan dedication to ornate figuration at the expense of almost everything else; and finally the estocada, the sudden sword-thrust through the aorta, in this case from Messi to Xavi via a gorgeous one-time by Abidal, whom I underestimated as a crosser. (What would a Drogba goal look like in this feature? Would the screen shatter?)
Too bad this was really the only good combo in an otherwise pretty mediocre and occasionally utterly dangerous display by our heroes, who probably should have lost, given a couple of blown bunnies by Kiev and an outrageous handball by Pique in the first half that stopped a breakaway and definitely should have been a red and was one of many big wanking red flags. Group F was, if not the group of death Sir Alex thought, certainly the Group of Numb Extremities and Slightly Blue Lips. (Let's hope the first knockout isn't CSKA Moscow, given the way the boys play in cold weather.) The good news: Barca is through and top-seeded, despite Pique and Ibrahimovic being awful, Iniesta and Puyol and Keita being spectral, and Messi being, once again despite the goals and assist, pretty subpar. (He's in doubt for this weekend.) The bad news? All the above minus the first clause, plus Victor Valdez up to his old shaky tricks again. Just another night at the opera, as this year is turning out. Ibrahimovic did almost break the goalie's jaw on a free kick, which was fun. Chelsea and Barca have been made 7/2 co-favorites to win the Champions League. You'll have to get behind Tony Cascarino if you want a piece of that action, I'm sure. Draw is December 18.Posted via email from Bob Lalasz: Surplus to Requirements
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