But the Barca nerves persisted to some extent the entire game, not enough to throw the ball away like the Red Devils did but enough to put a 3rd touch (personally or collectively) on the ball where 2 and a shot would’ve at least caused some kind of danger. Kind of like they were holding their breath (though still managing to kick ManU around.) I’m really impressed they didn’t tire..I thought for sure they needed to go one up in first half or be done in later. I’m encouraged , this is the Barca team that can take it all.

Agreed about the mood over here. And as a vet of many a message board/blog, it’s great the way things stay cool over here.

Isaiah gave Abidal a 7 above, but would have rated him as high as Yaya. I do wish he weren’t so erratic. If he plays like that the whole season, I think we’re better off in the standings. Certainly we don’t concede one of the Almeria goals.

p.s. That said, it would be great to hear some of your comments at the Madrid page, as well as the other Spanish team pages – it’s always great to see outside commentary, which tends to sluff off some of the ‘partizan’ perspective, as Ste put it.

That said, I think it was the most scintilating game of the year save the 3-2 Celtic extravaganza. 13th inning Yankees\RedSox stuff for 90 minutes.

This weekend’s league games will counterbalance the slight edge I think ManU gets from the draw.

First stab wins.

And Yaya is the X factor. He was magisterial at Camp Nou, but Man U weren’t all that in the mood to test him all that much. Yet every time they did, the midfield was closed. He’s another guy who, despite that slow-looking, shambling sort of running style, is always in the right spot.

I also think that one reason we looked so good against Man U is they, like us, like possession. I think that we play that game better than anyone in the world when we’re on. That was the value of Deco. His one-touch stuff was working really well. He gets into trouble when he contracts Barca dribble-itis.

I think that the second match will be the one that everyone was expecting to see.

The second point, to add to ballbeav and Ste’s conversation: Barca will do well to repeat the key tactical element they displayed in the first game, an element Spanish teams execute perhaps better than any in the world: disrupting the midfield. Man U, from what I’ve seen, and when at their best, spread out the midfield and develop their pace/attacks from that point, then flood their way into the box. It’s extremely intimidating, and effective, but relies on the solid unity and cohesion of the mid four. This is where Xavi and Yaya come in, and once again, Barca’s success will depend on their ability to be destructive. That’s my take, anyhow.

Tuesday is the biggie for me!