1] One suspects they are saving themselves for the Champion's League, The Copa Del Rey is a Mickey Mouse Cup in Spain, although the disappointment of been denied the possibility for winning the treble will irritate them, overall winning the La Liga and the Champion's League is the benchmark for their season. When Real Madrid were celebrating they even dropped the cup under the bus. That's how important the cup is.
2] At 29 years of age David Villa is already Spain's all-time top scorer, he was a predator for Valencia scoring 108 goals in 166 appearers and stylish goals at that. David Villa has become a ghost in the second half of the season, his confidence is botched, he missed a volley making a bad connection with the ball, usually he would score that kind of volley wearing a blindfold, but in his current form including him in their starting 11 is like playing with 10. Their only other striker Bojan is out imjured until the end of the season.
3] Lionel Messi only showed glimmers of why he is the best player in the world. His scintillating pass split the Madrid defense open allowing Pedro to score a goal which was then disallowed for been offside. He too often took his frustration out on Madrid players rather than on the ball, he even got a yellow card which is uncharacteristic of him. I doubt he would have lost his composure against any other team, but the immense tensions and rivalry with Ream Madrid was too much to surmount.
4] Pep Guardiola maybe be a stubborn coach but he showed that he is not ruthless enough to win by all means. If Barcelona's first choice goalkeeper Víctor Valdés was selected he would have saved Ronaldo's header in extra time. Instead Guardiola remained loyal to the 35 year old Pinto as he is the cup goalkeeper for Barcelona, which also further underlines the unimportance of such a cup, where he allows the reserve goal keeper a sustained run in the team.
5] The referee decided not to send off any Real Madrid players, which was a highly dubious decision. Mourinho is cynical and even went as far as to admit that he trained with 10 players beforehand in preparation for a player been send off. Pepe nearly broke Messi's leg and got away with it, Moutinho expects a player to get send off, he tells his players to psychically violate the Barcelona players,the referee gave him license to carry out this cynical campaign of pain without any consequences.
Player of the Game:
Andres Iniesta
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