LIVING

It's like a fairy tale. But a real one. A year ago, the thought of FC Barcelona winning anything seemed a long way away in a galaxy that we didn't know. Ronaldinho was overweight, bored, uninterested and he seemed to bring the rest of the team down with him. Frank Rikjaard, the trainer, was too laid-back to bring the team under control. The president, Joan Laporta, was feeling the pressure. Who knew if he would survive the summer. But he did, and he took a 'risk' on Josep 'Pep' Guardiola to take over from Rijkaard. Guardiola is a much-loved local hero here from his time as a player and member of the Dream Team, but generally considered inexperienced as a manager. He's only 38. What kind of age is that? His team lost the first two matches of the season. How far away does that seem now?

Die-hard Barcelona fans could scarcely believe it. It all seemed like a dream. The commentators were excited but tried to contain themselves up to the final whistle. Even when victory is declared, on the 93rd minute, the celebration is slightly subdued. We all suffered from when Samuel Eto'o scored in the 10th minute. It was a beautiful goal, but was it too early? Cristiano Ronaldo was threatening early on, but gradually lost faith. He had three, four, five attempts on goal before Barça had really done anything. But then. Eto'o. He scored. He seemed stunned. We were all stunned.

Manchester United fought. But Barcelona fought harder. And in the end, that's what it came down to. Barcelona benefitted from luck tonight, and it was about time. How many times have the team been in the position of losing because of the luck of their opponents? They could have scored more, of course. And perhaps if they had had a team at full strength - with Alves, Albidal, Marques - the final result would have been even more conclusive. But it didn't have to be. They did more than enough.

Felicitats, campiones.