Just watching the reason Football is becoming a non

The Real players certainly couldn't touch Messi on either occasion as he waltzed through their defence to score.

From another forum.

Are you disputing that Barca are the best side in Spain?? Christ its not even close. Reals only tactic is backs to the walls defence. They arent even at a level where their manager feels they can give them a game

I'd have to see a game that didn't have officiating reminiscent of "Escape to Victory" to decide that!

As an occasional football watcher I had high hopes, after all Barca vs Arsenal was great watching.

Last night just reminded me of so many of the reasons the game often leaves me with a sour taste. Nasty, bitter, overt cheating aimed not at gaining a direct scoring advantage but at getting the opponents riled/sent-off etc. Impossible to referee I'd say. Reminded me of the WC Final-not a good thing.

When will the authorities wise up to retrospective bans for cheating, disciplining players who insult the ref, allowing only captains to dispute calls and probably also using video evidence for decisions that might result in a penalty or a red card.

Yeuch, what a let down, not compensated for by the skills of Messi-who curiously appears to be one of the fairer people in the team.

Barcelona; 40% good football, 60% cheat. Still, gets Mourinho back for his FC Porto side.

Cheers,

OW