So I brought myself to turn on the television and watch this Moscow final. I had the odd feeling that it would be an absolute waste of a good three hours, but still I convinced myself. In the end, what a piece of excrement. The pitch did not help, I'll admit that. But for the whole portion of the game-that I watched-the players were nervous bordering on scared. It was easily noticeable. Their managers' clumsy tactical choices did not help them either. I mean, if you know John Terry is in pain, you try him, you challenge him directly with diagonal and unexpected sprints by your attackers, like Klinsmann did to an injured Ruggeri at the 90' world cup final in Rome. But no, it seems that thought never entered Ferguson's overrated futbol mind. At least it did not seem so from watching Rooney's and Tevez's actions. Sometimes you wonder where the line stands between a manger's incompetence and the player's own tactical ignorance. It's difficult to criticize Cristiano Ronaldo-and believe me, I love to do so-in this instance because, number one:anyone can miss a penalty, anyone. And number two:he scored a lovely goal. But his utter inability to recognize Essien's struggle to hold his position while failing to gather any rhythm plowing forward and falling back frustrated me continually. Ronaldo should've capitalized on Essien's tactical confusedness more than a few times, he didn't. Messi does, Kaka does. He doesn't. But he did score a deciding goal. The real loser in this whole thing is Avam Grant. I did not think before today a manager could make so many mistakes in such an important day. First he should've detected Essien's ordeal, second, Chelsea's midfield was as disorganized as I've ever seen a team at such a crucial event. If you look at it on paper, Chelsea's midfielders should outclass United's anytime. I actually thought before the kickoff that Ballack would be man of the match (was I lost). And this lack of coordination led to Carvalho and Terry scurrying to the flanks early in the match when Makelele, Ballack or Lampard should've covered Essien's and Ashley Cole's behinds. But there was real disorganization out there in Chelsea's ranks, and that allowed United to impose it's rhythm early on. Third, Malouda was man of the match until, of course, he took him out. Fourth, I'd been expecting Shevchenko to come in since the first half half for Joe Cole and maybe escort Drogba up top or slide into the wing for greater dynamism. But of course, Sheva never made his appearance. But Anelka did! And where did Grant place him? At the midfield wing. Where Anelka is quite ineffective. Anelka is a centre forward, period. I was falling asleep by half-time, and almost going blind by the 60th minute from such an appalling display. So I left. I had some errands to run anyway. I went to the bank, returned some videos, and came home. "Nothing remotely interesting is gonna happen anyway" I thought, and, of course it didn't. Then extra time started as I came back and we all sloughed with it. Uninspiring, uneventful, and unending. This final will be remembered by no one directly unaffected through fan affiliation. If this is the best European futbol has to offer, I'll have to rethink my entertainment options. But I instantly reconsider, since a week ago, a real futbol display was offered by a more modest team. A team with a generous disposition to entertain and a harbinger of what futbol could be if you had a little balls. Last Wednesday's final was a real treat compared to this. It is quite dangerous that every time two big English teams meet we have to put up with these nauseating performances. Futbol is not "American Gladiators brought to you by Roman Abramovic and Malcolm Glazer". It is nobler than that by nature. So I'm off to watch Libertadores and catch a glimpse of real futbol. Meanwhile forever hoping that our game is safe from the clutches of relative successfulness, mediocre protagonists and empty satisfaction.