Yesterday I sat down through a Barca marathon watching some of their games from the last few weeks. Right now Messi is on everyone lips and quite rightly so, but Barca true conductor is Xavi. He dictates the link up from the back line and then too the front. He also dictates the speed, knowing when to speed it up and/or slow it down. The beauty about Barca is that when Xavi is not at his best, which is still better than most midfielders in the world. Barca then has a carbon copy in Iniesta, who is not only an efficient and creative passer of the ball, but also has an added dimension of having the ability to beat players effortlessly and go past them. With both players on the pitch it must be like playing against two ghost. I can't say that Barca will win the CL or the League again, but what I do know is that I am very happy to be around to witness such football. Having the good fortune to see many great teams over the last 40 years, I thought Cruyff's Barca teams were as elegant as anything I have ever seen (maybe Tele Santana's Sao Paulo would be a close rival). I would be the first to put my hand up and say Barca's football, from a purist perception is the best football I have ever seen.
