Some critics argued that Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric dominated the midfield in the first half of El Clasico – Real Madrid v Barcelona – last weekend, but I beg to differ.
Though chasing shadows all evening (namely that of Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Busquets), the X-factor for Real Madrid in their strong first half showing was Angel Di Maria.
The two Real Madrid midfielders and their centrebacks were too square all evening, constantly allowing Lionel Messi the space to drop back and pick up the ball between the lines.
The first goal for Barcelona as early as the seventh minute came courtesy of Messi doing exactly that, ghosting into the hole between the defence and midfield. Then, with a brilliant through ball past a backpedalling Dani Carvajal, he allowed Andres Iniesta to fire home with aplomb.
Di Maria made the difference for the home side after that, contributing to two quick goals scored by Karim Benzema halfway through the first half.
Some critics argued that if Javier Mascherano was taller, he would have been able to nod Di Maria's stunning cross away from danger. But why was there not a single word about Xavi failing to track Di Maria's movement from a central position to the left side as the rotation demanded.
If the sky was not blue, it surely is of another colour.
Munich Machine
In Germany, former Barca gaffer Pep Guardiola has clinched his first Bundesliga title as Bayern Munich wrapped up the championship stroll (calling it a "race" wouldn't be appropriate given the sheer dominance of the Munich Machine) with an incredible seven matches to spare.
Jupp Hencykes, who orchestrated Bayern's record-breaking run last season, won the league with "only" six matches remaining.
The UEFA Champions League awaits and a quarterfinal clash with David Moyes' Manchester United.
Not 24 hours after the 3-0 victory over Olympiakos at Old Trafford, some took the opportunity to anoint David Moyes as the chosen one (…once again) and a solid away win against West Ham United – including a Wayne Rooney goal-of-the-season – only hyped this recent run of results further.
The Red Devils were duly taken down a peg or 10 when Manchester City visited and gave them an absolute hiding in terms of quality with a comprehensive 3-0 at Old Trafford. Moyes' post-match comments were truly shocking – to say that the Manchester City of today is the standard his team needs to try and aspire themselves to should have gotten him the sack instantly.
No, David, you should aspire to be like your predecessor Alex Ferguson's Manchester United – the Manchester United that won the treble, the Manchester United that demanded respect and won matches before their opponents even set foot on the hallowed turf that is Old Trafford.
Yes, Manuel Pellegrini's side is playing brilliant football, but to even consider praising the Sky Blues in public is unheard of. Well, at least during Ferguson's reign.
It indeed is a new era for Manchester United, one that aspires to be great while playing football that leaves much to be desired.
System v individuals
An interesting study can be taken to compare Brendan Rogers' success at Liverpool, in contrast with Moyes' underwhelming reign so far at Manchester United.
Brendan Rogers has come in and built a system to which the footballers at his disposal are made to play a certain way.
It worked at Swansea City (and with a much smaller budget/pool of quality) and is exponentially improving at Anfield, playing a fluid attacking game relying on speed of thought and action.
On the other hand, Moyes' current "philosophy" (if you can call it that) relies heavily on individual brilliance instead of a settled tactical system.
We have seen him go from a conventional 4-4-2 to "death by 81 crosses" and recently, an ill-fated 4-3-3 utilising attacking midfielders in out-and-out wide positions.
Earlier this season, it was Rooney's freekicks and never-say-die attitude which pushed them across the line. Then came Robin Van Persie's usual incisiveness in front of goal.
But more recently, if the media circus is to be believed, it was the performance of a 40-year-old midfielder by the name of Ryan Giggs who inspired Manchester United into the next round of the Champions League.
None of these results came from a consistent tactical system, only individual brilliance pulled them through.
As we all know, league titles are not won by individuals, they are won by individuals working together in a system which suits their strengths and minimises their weaknesses.
What Moyes has attempted to do this season is akin to the tactics many unambitious teams fighting for mid-table mediocrity follow: stay solid, work very hard and, hopefully, one player pulls something out of the hat and snatches three points. – March 30, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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