When Barça came to Rome, the English press emphasized the absence of Dani Alves and Eric Abidal. They had a valid point as a decimated backline would make a team like Manchester United soak in drool. Anyone who had an idea about the game knew that it should have been the case.

As the days neared, there were a few things that made the Blaugrana faithful whose faith stumbled a bit become stronger. First of all Pep Guardiola talking about how his team was assured. This is not a man of rhetoric or discourse. He is a man of action. He is the type of man that makes lemonade with lemons.



He also has a team that will play for him. It seems like if he were to ever ask Lionel Messi to play goalkeeper, the Argentine would do so. The players responded to him front the time he stepped into the dressing room. This was part of this team's legacy.

I will be honest, I had my doubts. I even mentioned them in last week's show. But as the week progressed, those doubts subsided. Listening to arguments, somehow I knew that Barça was going to do well. Then the bookies made the game a virtual pick 'em.

Tidbits

-Busquets

- Piqué

- There was another big winner- Sevilla. 2.25million.

- Guardiola joins Muñoz, Trappatoni, Cruyff, Ancelotti, Rikjaard as the only coaches to win the European coach as both coach and players.