Barcelona Defeats Juventus in Champions League Final
BERLIN — It is not discussed often, but there is a deep and rich tradition of manager celebrations in high-level soccer, a veritable catalog of sideline revelry. On various occasions — and with varying degrees of dignity — men in suits have danced a jig, pretended to use a lasso and hydroplaned on their knees as if their coaching box had morphed into a water ride. Just a few months ago, one man in charge even ripped his trousers in a particularly robust fit of exuberant histrionics.
Late Saturday, then, Luis Enrique, Barcelona’s first-year manager, happily wrote his name alongside José Mourinho (the slide) and Pep Guardiola (the pants). Shortly after watching one of his top forwards, Luis Suárez, score what would turn out to be the decisive goal of the Champions League final, Luis Enrique, a Spaniard with a generally measured temperament, took off on a dead sprint while wildly waving his arms in a manner that suggested they had suddenly been attached to a pair of electric fans.
Perhaps someday there will be a name attached to Luis Enrique’s machinations — the Windmill? — but, for this evening, the sight was enough. Luis Enrique’s merriment was the start to a Spanish party that continued long into the night as Barcelona won its fifth European championship, and fourth in 10 years, with a 3-1 victory over Juventus at the Olympiastadion.
Fittingly enough, Suárez and Neymar, two of Barcelona’s superstar scoring trio, scored in the final, while Lionel Messi, who may be the brightest of the group, played a role in both goals. The three attackers, who some have referred to as a trident, combined for 122 goals this season, powering Barcelona to a so-called treble: La Blaugrana previously won the Spanish league and cup titles before claiming the Champions League, too. Barcelona last won all three titles in 2008-9, and it is the only club to have claimed trebles in different seasons.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/sports/soccer/barcelona-defeats-juventus-in-champions-league-final.html?_r=0