Manchester United 2, Barcelona 1
The record crowd knew exactly what they were looking for, and there were a couple of moments at FedEx Field on Saturday when Barcelona and Manchester United, in an exhibition rematch of their Champions League final two months before, sent the fans into rapture with the kind of quality soccer that only happens at the absolute pinnacle of the game, where both of the storied clubs reside.
But while those moments came and went quickly as United exacted a measure of revenge with a 2-1 victory over the European champions, the memories of the event itself will linger much longer for the 81,807 who made the match the most attended in D.C. area history.
“I thought it was quite possibly 50-50, in terms of the fan base tonight, Barca and ourselves, and they’re all mixed together,” Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said. “It’s a fantastic sight to see that. It gives you hope that our game is bereft of some of the things that have happened in the past, particularly in some countries, England and Italy, in the ‘70s in particular. That’s refreshing that fans can sit and mingle tonight and create the atmosphere. It was a great atmosphere.”
Soccer was still the order of the night, and the match bore some resemblance to Barcelona’s 3-1 win at Wembley Stadium in May – nine of the night’s 22 starts had done the same in the final – and the Catalan side owned possession for an overwhelming portion of the proceedings.
However, without key contributors like world player of year Lionel Messi and maestro midfielder Xavi, Barcelona struggled to translate its ownership of the ball into goals, and the action never quite hit high gear.
The Red Devils used a quick strike to open the scoring in the 22nd minute. Danny Welbeck sprung free down the middle after a Barcelona corner kick. His pass from midfield was perfectly timed to keep Nani onside, and the Portuguese winger put the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Victory Valdes.
After a halftime highlighted by the appearance of Mia Hamm and Kobe Bryant – the Lakers star showed his own skills with a penalty kick as part of the festivities – Barcelona hit back during a quiet second 45 minutes with a moment of superb skill – and swerve.
Twenty-year-old Thiago, given the slightest bit of space at the top of the box, struck a 70th-minute blast that seemed to defy physics as it bent away from Manchester goalkeeper David De Gea and tucked inside the right post.
“They used their best qualities, the counterattack,” Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola said. “But we play a very good second half. The first half we were a little bit tired from the jet lag and in a lot of heat and humidity, it’s not easy to play. That’s why we spoke in the halftime to try to make a long possession of the ball, to use many passes, to wait at the right moment to create the chances.”
The lead was short-lived as United struck again on the break in the 76th minute, with 21-year-old Tom Cleverley making and interception and feeding veteran English striker Michael Owen, who chipped Valdes.
“Cleverley is not the strongest lad, but he’s wiry,” said Ferguson, a storied cultivator of young talent. “He’s got a great idea of the game. I thought he was our best player. His discipline was terrific. He’s a quick passer of the ball. He has good eyes. He’s a good strong possibility for us for the start of the season.”
Following the final whistle, Bryant presented Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic with a slightly smaller trophy than the Champions League cup.
There was some tension afterward as Ferguson was asked about another possibility, Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder, and refused to answer a question about whether the club had offered the Dutchman a contract.
Most of United’s players, who will next return home after a five-match, three-week North American tour, passed up the chance to speak with reporters, but Nani gave a brief assessment that paralleled the way he and his teammate converted their scoring chances.
“I am very happy because I did well,” Nani said. “The team is playing good football this preseason. I think the fitness is coming up, and it’s good to win in this way.”
