Sacchi: Man Utd Betrayed England

Both first legs proved to be matches that will not live long in the memory as Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield, before Manchester United shut up shop in their 0-0 stalemate at Barcelona.

"Is it worth Chelsea investing so much money in a team with such little joy and harmony?,” Sacchi asked in the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"As for Liverpool, Benitez is praised for his tactical work, but the technical quality individually and collectively is not high, so goes their ability to dribble, keep possession of the ball and play a fantasy game.

"Manchester United arrived in great form, and played a game that betrayed the English culture and its history.

“They thought only to defend with everyone back, attacking with few players. There was no action.”

Sacchi, while recognising that Barcelona tried to play the game in the right way, also had some harsh words to say about the in-fighting in the Barcelona camp.

”The Blaugrana have shown that they are in an inadequate mental and physical shape,” he continued.

“This is a team where envy, jealousy and the bourgeoisie have undermined professionalism, motivation and playing."


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