The fan belief that Manchester United could win the Champions League soon dissipated and in a perverse way I'm glad that they didn't as, aside from the obvious that they did not deserve to, a victory would have papered over the cracks of what is a weaker team than in recent seasons. Ideally Ferguson can now approach the board with the claim that whilst being the best in the country they still lag behind in Europe but a bit of judicious spending in the summer transfer window may help close the gap.
   The whole Premiership was rather poor this season and the Champions League final just emphasises the gulf in class although whilst all the other commentators drool over the way Barcelona pass the ball and dominate possession I get rather bored by it all. It may look pretty and intricate but like the Spanish national side it can often not go anywhere as they may stop the opposition from having the ball but just bide their time whilst they have. It is all very clinical and precise and where they do still have flashes of genius this is diluted by being constantly informed that Lionel Messi is the greatest player ever. This hyperbole grates and whilst he is undoubtedly a very good player it is still early in his career to be compared to Pele, Best, Maradona, Puskas et al.
   Perhaps its the gothic romantic side in me that insists that every true genius must be wrestling with his demons as he takes his area of expertise to the next level that refuses to allow Messi a place in this pantheon yet although as far as I am aware Pele's only problem may be erectile dysfunction. Of course happy and pleasant footballers can be greats but my prejudice will usually find them on the subs bench in my All Star best ever XI (not strictly true) as people find it easier to warm to those exuberant players with a back story whatever the sport. Alex Higgins and Jimmy White got bigger cheers than Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry and George Best received tributes from fans of other clubs (including Man City) that were genuine and heartfelt on his death.
   Yes they have world class players and play pretty football and yes the way the club is run as a sort of fans co-operative is pleasing as is their current form thereby sticking it to former dictator Franco's former team Real Madrid. Also resisting shirt sponsorship for so long before having UNICEF emblazoned across their chests is such a refreshing change in the current shady money centred business that is football (not that they do too badly on the financial front). Everything about Barcelona says I should love them but I just can't get that excited by them.