Barcelona's behind-closed-doors 3-0 victory against Las Palmas on Sunday provided a unique look at football stripped back to the basics at the very top level. The players' voices echoed around an eerily empty Camp Nou as pitch-side footage recorded conversations between the players.
Proof that football is nothing without fans, the whole game felt a bit Sunday League. Not the quality of football on show, of course; that was still world class. But, take away the fans from the seats and the life is quickly sucked out of the spectacle, giving the feel of a youth team game. What it did provide however was an alternative view at one of the greatest teams of all time.
Microphones around the pitch picked up the conversations between players that would normally be muted by the noise of the crowd. An irate Luis Suarez being booked for diving, Gerard Pique arguing with everyone and Leo Messi rounding a helpless goalkeeper with ease. A unique perspective, but let's hope it's the last game Barca have to play behind-closed-doors.
