At the top is a Champions League final performance for which one of its stars admits they ‘never turned up’. Liverpool make up a third of the list but feature only once in the top seven…
15) Manchester United 2009
‘The feathery touch of Barcelona left Manchester United bruised and beaten. It is as well that the victors’ good taste extended to winning by a modest margin. The holders were relieved of the European Cup and must take what comfort there is in the appreciation that there is no shame in being outclassed. They could barely engage with Pep Guardiola’s side, let alone menace them.’
The intro to Kevin McCarra’s dispatch from Rome for The Guardian summed up United’s embarrassment. The Red Devils mastered Frank Rijkaard’s Barca the previous season but Guardiola – in his rookie season as coach – had elevated the Catalans way above United’s level. And how it showed.
They started reasonably well but never did they test a Barca back four featuring Yaya Toure at centre-back, helping to cover the voids left by Eric Abidal, Rafa Marquez and Dani Alves. Ferguson’s side were in pursuit of a fourth trophy of the season but spent the night chasing shadows, especially after a towering header from *checks notes* Lionel Messi made the final 20 minutes a victory procession.
14) Manchester United 2011
Like Manchester United 2009. With added inferiority.
At least United responded this time to going behind. But that was merely Barca’s way of toying with the Premier League champions. Guardiola’s side could have been three up at half-time when United clung to the illusion of parity offered by the scoreline.
Messi and David Villa belatedly killed off United, who failed to win a single corner while being out-shot 19-4.
13) Manchester City, 2021
Guardiola may refute the accusation that he is sometimes prone to overthinking his shizz, but the decision not to start either Rodri or Fernandinho and play without a recognised defensive midfielder for only the second time in a 60-game season more than hinted at some unnecessary fiddling.
Whatever the aim of Pep’s ploy, unless it was to pass the ascendancy to pre-match underdogs Chelsea, it did not pay off. Guardiola’s players didn’t help him – they mustered only one shot on target which came in the eighth minute.
City were kept on a lead in Porto by Chelsea who were deserving winners and never looked in danger after Kai Havertz’s only goal, especially after Kevin De Bruyne was…
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