“A year ago, before Real Madrid went to the banks to borrow money at what seemed a reckless rate, there was no comparison between it and the other Spanish monolith, Barcelona. Barça was on its way to a historic clean sweep of six trophies, including the Spanish, European and World club titles. More than that, its soccer was so stylish, so uninhibited, that no team on earth could touch it.” (NYT)
