There were times on Sunday night when Barcelona’s football in the 4-0 win against Athletic Club was rapturously good. You know the feeling: when something happens on the pitch that’s so outrageously joyous that the senses take over, completely, from the rational mind — when football transcends your daily woes and your club allegiances. When the beautiful game isn’t just pleasant to look at it, but seduces you and promises to love you forever.
You can take your pick of the examples.
The moment when Ousmane Dembele scores, having once again been booed and whistled onto the pitch by his own fans as a second-half substitute, via one of the most sensational, powerful top corner finishes you’ll see? How about the ‘now-you-see-me-now-you-don’t moment’ on the right hand touchline (a moment Pedri later admitted he’d been “s—ting myself in case I lost the ball”) when the divinely talented 19-year-old takes a pass from Frenkie de Jong, turns his back to protect possession from Mikel Balenziaga, sorts out his feet and then stamps on top of the ball with the studs of his right boot so that it nutmeggs the Athletic Club defender while Pedri’s back was still turned? He then runs off the pitch, around the side of his opponent, and returns service to De Jong down the line.
All of which allows us to return the theme of pure, unadulterated joy. Dozens of people in the seats about 15 to 20 feet away from the piece of magic — which was straight out of any Pele, Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi playbook — involuntarily leapt to their feet, clasping their hands to their heads in disbelief and roaring in overwhelming ecstasy.
PEDRI SHEEEEEESH! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/iK2z0xAKxW
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 27, 2022
These are the moments, equal to any trophy-lift or winning goal, which sear football’s majesty in our consciousness forever. The moments which have always and will always, make football the greatest sport humankind has invented.
There were more, too.
How about…
Source : espn
