Brazil

Juliano Belletti: ‘That goal made me experience something unimaginable’

08-Feb-2022 12:44:22 | The Guardian

My only goal for Barcelona – and my only goal from six seasons in the Champions League – was the winner in the final

By The Coaches’ Voice for the Guardian Sport Network

That match in Paris is never far from my thoughts. In the 34th minute of the second half, I passed the ball to Henrik Larsson, who took a touch towards the corner flag. His marker, Sol Campbell, followed him. So did other Arsenal defenders, who were covering behind Campbell.

That left a huge space, and one of football’s magical moments took place: two players thought the same thing at the same time. I ran into that space, imagining that Larsson might think to control the ball and play me in. That’s exactly what happened. It was raining a lot at that moment of the match. The ball picked up speed, but I could still control it with my left foot.