Atletico-Barcelona: Sometimes you just have to tip your hat

Watched that match between Barça and Atletico Madrid at the Calderon. 4-2, Atletico. Ouch. And it all started with so much promise too, that goal by Eto'o disallowed for apparent offsides. Then, came that absolutely amazing overhead kick from Ronaldinho. We may love to find the faults in this Brazilian, but jeez louise, does he leave us speechless at times. That goal even evoked images of Rivaldo during his tempestuous tenure with the Catalan club. Yes, there was so much promise for Barcelona, and it appeared the squad were firing on all cylinders, but two things were, critically, not in their favor. One, they were playing away, and two, Atletico were sizzling. Or, should I say, Kun was.

I don't know what it is about Barça when they play outside the Nou Camp but it seems the officials have them play under a unique set of rules. You know, something like, 'Sorry, guys, but you're just too good and we need some way to balance the field, because, Santa Maria, if we actually let you play with the same rules as everyone else in La Liga, it would be ... Unfair!' One of the methods most sides attack Barcelona is to, well, attack then. I mean fouls, and lots of them. Shirt pulling, foot stomping, shin kicking, leg tripping, back pushing, grabbing, groping--hey, you name it, I'm sure it's been used on the Catalan side. And, not only that, in cases of offsides the officials always judge in favor of the opposition. Unless Eto'o is clearly 5 meters behind the last defender--and standing absolutely still--at the time the ball is passed, well my friends, it's offsides. For Barcelona. Undoubtedly, Real Madrid fall into that same 'special' category, but where they differ is they play just as hard and prefer a venture out from the defense, rather than a display of offensive finesse and creativity. Ah well, a minor quibble from the author, and one the Blaugrana have had an effective answer to, but it's still a peeve. It only proves that Barcelona are in a league of their own.

The other point I want to make and must actually tip my metaphorical hat to, is that Atletico were in rare form. They were wired, ready for battle. and so was Kun Agüero. That kid was just unstoppable. He didn't quit, he was all over the place, and he was making gobs of stuff out of nothing. And it was infectious, because pretty soon the whole Madrid side were lighting up like a birthday cake of intense focus and desire. These guys wanted the win and were going to have it, dammit. And they did. 4-2.

Sometimes, you just have to accept it wasn't your day, and move on, get ready for the next match. Barça, move on. It ain't over till it's over.