Long Ball Utd my Arse....

ok, i seldom blog about happenings on the soccer front. But after reading Johan Cryuff's comments, I just have to give my 2 cents worth.

Maybe even a dollar.

Taken straight from Teamtalk, with my dollar's worth of course:

Barca backed to beat 'long-ball' United
Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff believes his former side can pull Manchester United apart when the teams meet in the Champions League semi-final.

Hello Mr Johann?
Did you stop watching soccer ever since you retired?
Or did you watched a Chelski match and thought that Man Utd had changed its team colours?? When did Man Utd sytle of play turned to long ball?? I never knew Rooney was so tall to challenge for long balls.

The Dutchman coached Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph back in 1992, and he believes he knows the way to beat the English champions.

Sad to say, 1992 is some godzillion years ago. Granted, Pep Guardiola was good. Hagi and Romario scores for fun. Ronald Koeman was a monster. Did I forget Michael Laudrup? But then was then, now is now.The pace of football is much faster and more physically demanding. Your dinosaur knowledge acquired in 1992 might only be on par with Avram Grant (if he has any knowledge at all)

He told El Periodico: "They run a lot. Their style of football, and that of all the English teams, gives the false sensation that they run more than anyone.
So i supposed your beloved Barcelona players dont run?

"That's because despite having a majority of foreigners in their squads they maintain the philosophy of long-ball football and sprinting 60 yards.
Mr Cryuff, I seriously sense smoke here. Who and what are you trying to smoke here? I think you have been watching replays of Singapore vs Thailand 2002

"That is how they exploit spaces in front of the midfield. If they played in the other team's half more often those spaces wouldn't exist.
This is crap, seriously. If theres more players in the other team's half of course there are no spaces lar

"Despite recognising their effort, you can disarm an English side that presses and looks for the long ball by keeping possession and moving the ball around quickly.

"And if you know they will expend all their energy on closing down and chasing long balls, then you know where to beat them: by playing the ball horizontally.
Ok wait a minute, I remember giving such a comment during one of my primary 6 soccer matches

"However badly Barca is doing we have at least the same chance of progressing to the final as United.
Of course i knew that, I learnt Mathematics in school. 1 out of 2 teams, 50% chance lor. Duh

"They are very good, that's true. Of the three English teams in the semis, for me Manchester is the best.
Looks like Mr Cryuff is already peeing in his pants.....

"But I'm absolutely convinced that they're thinking exactly the same about Barca. That of all the semi-finalists, the Blaugranes are the strongest."
Sorry, the Red Devils are the strongest of all the semi-finalists. And we are going to tear nou camp now.