At the weekend Barcelona destroyed a weak team in Real Mallorca - languishing at the bottom of La Liga. While Messi was 'rested' the two players who vanguarded the attack were Fabregas and Sanchez; both have failed to live up to potential and price tag. Their decisive 5-0 victory would perhaps have indicated to some of my fellow journalists (i.e. Henry Farrar) that Barcelona were coping well despite the injury to their starlet, but to the astute mind this result was a red herring. To think that such a result could be translated into their clash against an actual quality European side such as PSG was always a fallacy. On the grandest stage hat-trick hero Fabregas failed to produce even one reasonable shot on target and looked noticeably lost and frustrated throughout the match. Bacelona's tiki-taka at time suggested threat but with two attacking players in Pedro/Villa who have been so heavily side-lined and designed to support their goal machine Messi, they were tasked with roles not incomparable to that of a substitute goalkeeper struggling to shake off the rust of a first team start.
Enthused by the lack of Barcelona's only attacking threat (whom the cameras highlighted as literally nail-biting as he watched wave after wave of PSG smash against his overwhelmed teammates), PSG intelligently attacked the weakness of Barca's central defence and Pastore displayed sublime skill as the Parisians tore their opponents apart with the long overdue opening goal. At this stage Barcelona were out. The fickle and hypocritical fans within the stronghold of the Nou Camp fell silent and woeful, knowing that even with Ballon d'Or worthy players (Xavi showcased the greatest passing display in the history of the Champions League - 96/96), without Messi their fate was soon to be sealed. The camera panned to Messi, who instinctively understood the helpless plight of his teammates, taking it upon himself by risking his health and career to decide Vilanova's move for him. The initially praised replacement Fabregas, returned to his much maligned season form, was substituted for a clearly injured Messi. The Nou Camp was rejuvenated, realizing that this was their only chance of creating a goal and the Barcelona team rallied around their talisman.
While they walked away with the Spanish League Title, this victory reeked of the desperation that has haunted their Champions League campaign, compounding upon poor performances against Celtic and AC Milan. Without Messi, this team and its fans resemble a flock of frightened sheep, desperately bleating for their shepherd.
Ciaran Reid
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