Barca are beatable!

Sorry if the title mislead you, this isn't the first in a series of "myths and legends".

For the first time in 66 days, Barcelona lost a game. Yes, the last time they lost was Valentines Day, 2-1 away at Athletico Madrid. That's 38 goals (I thought about checking how many of those were scored by Messi) and 15 games ago for the Catalan giants if you're interested. But I digress.

The side that seemed so unbeatable at times was found out by a pacy and obviously very well coached Inter side. 3-1 it finished, and while Barca were unlucky to be denied a penalty towards the tail end of the game, Inter could have racked up a few more goals themselves.

So let's see, what does it take to beat them?
At least from my very humble point of view, here's a few things:

1) Cause a volcanic eruption that disrupts flights throughout Europe, and force them to go on a 14 hour bus ride to get to the game.

Ok, that's a ridiculous one. Perhaps in the interests of fair play, Inter shouldn't be allowed to fly to the game at the Nou Camp either? But in all seriousness, let's try that again...

1) Rely on some sloppy defending. For Sneijder's goal (Inter's 1st) the Barca defense simply got sucked across. Count them, about six Barca players on one side of the box, Sneijder was just allowed to ghost in from the left for the easiest of goals. 3rd goal: I usually love the way Barca's defense likes to pass the ball out of danger. It totally suits their style of play: possession and passing. On this occasion, maybe a little too cavalier. Motta put in a great tackle, and four touches later the ball was in the back of the net. Which leads me to my next point...

2) Iffy officiating? Make your own mind up, the 3rd goal was offside for me. Far from blatant, but still offside.

3) Inter's 4-3-3 formation worked a charm, especially with Maicon playing his game, his pace certainly caused problems.

4) Top coach. Ok, not everyone can have a manager as colourful, arrogant and extremely football-savvy as Mourinho. Obviously the players executed the game plan and deserve the lion's share of the credit, but Mourinho is at the helm of this team and his role in this victory can't be denied. Before the game he said he wasn't going to man mark Messi, and too right, what player could possibly mark Messi on his own? Inter did a fantastic job of not giving him the time or space he needed (which isn't very much in the first place). Mourinho's tactics pressured Messi into relative obscurity, one of his lost possessions even leading to a goal. Xavi was forced into making an errant pass or too, shocker of the game! Chalk one up for The Special One.

5) Pace, especially on the counter attack. Inter made Barca pay on the few occasions that they didn't take care of the ball. The 2nd goal was a well taken opportunity, stealing the ball off Messi deep in their own half, they drove right down the middle and caught the Barca defense struggling back. I feel like Barca's back line is spoiled in the first place with the amount of possession their midfield usually garners, but today they were put to task by Inter.

Right, future opposition, take notes, it's as simple as 1, 2, 3...4, 5.

In reality it's obviously quite a task to beat Barca. Inter did it...once.

I have a sneaky feeling that Barca is still going to take the tie. A big absence in this game, was Lionel Messi. He was on the pitch, but he really wasn't the Messi everyone knows (and bows to). Now wind your clocks back a couple of weeks. Barcelona - Arsenal, first leg, Messi was (relatively) absent in that game. He then more than made up for it with a master class in the second leg.

I for one am certain that he'll make an impact of note in the return leg at the Nou Camp. It's definitely going to be a great game, with Barca at their attacking best.

The question is, did they dig themselves too big of a hole to climb out of in 90 minutes?