It has to be said, tonight's result shocked the vast majority of the footballing world. Despite taking the slimmest of victories from Stamford Bridge to Spain, the odds were defiantly not in favour of the London outfit. How could any team - and no disrespect to Chelsea, they've never really seemed to get out of third gear this season - hold back the goalscoring machine that is Barcelona.
things started brightly for Chelsea, with the opening exchanges looking like they could maybe, just maybe, nick a goal. but as the first half progressed it was obvious that the Nou Camp was starting to take grip of Chelsea, with Barca finding their rhythm quickly and things got even harder when Cahill was forced into being replaced by the less than solid Bosingwa. The half moved on and after a corner was cleared, Barca worked the ball back down the opposite wing, and a relatively simple pull back accross the box found the eager Busquets who slotted home comfortably. And then the shocking happened. John Terry. Who many regard as one of the most committed and dependable English centre backs the game has seen, must of seen the red mist as, completely off the ball, forced his knee into the back of Sanchez in what can only be described as stupid. The referee didn't see it, and it was the mysterious person that is the 5th official called it as a red card offence. Terry was off. The strongest branch in the Chelsea tree had snapped. down to ten men, the inevitable Barcelona onslaught began to take shape, as Iniesta was slotted through by Messi i believe, who with the coolest of touches, knocked it past Cech who in fairness couldn't really do much about it.
with half time approaching and the Nou Camp crowd in full voice, Lampard pounced on the ball and perfectly placed the ball between the Barca defence for the onrushing Brazilian Ramires who at full flight, controlled the ball well and with the second touch chipped the ball inch perfectly over Valdes who couldn't stretch enough to flick the ball over. 2-1. Nou Camp silent, apart from the top tier of Chelsea fans who were basically watching from the clouds they were that high up. Chelsea as it stood were going through on away goals. Game on.
The second half started as it finished, with pure thrills as Drogba conceded a penalty... although if it was a solid penalty remains to be confirmed... However many thought justice was done as Messi's penalty rocked against the crossbar to again, stunned silence from the fans.
The majority of the second half passed as you'd expect, with Chelsea firmly rooted on the edge of their own box just being worked over by Barca. However the longer this game of attack vs defence went on, it became increasingly clear that the usual Barcelona swagger and confidence wasn't enough to break down this resolute Chelsea team who showed togetherness and spirit that many thought Andre Villas Boas had destroyed. Petr Cech was solid between the sticks as he was forced into save after save as it seemed the Barca tide was going to break down the Chelsea barricade.
With Drogba absolutely shagged out from tireless running and taking a battering from the more physical approach Barca had taken against him, Torres was brought on to provide the only outlet Chelsea had. And it was a move that would provide Chelsea with pure orgasmic emotion as in the 90+ the ball was hoofed clear after yet another broken down move from Barca, and with half of the pitch to himself the ball fell to Fernando who as he approached goal, who knew what he was going to do?! However he showed composure as he rounded the onrushing Valdes and slotted confidently into the empty net. 2-2. The impossible bad become reality as Chelsea were going to advance to Munich in May to compete in the final. Many thought this wouldn't be the case but i think i can be confident in saying that many are glad yet another Champions league Final wont be featuring Barca.
Congratulations Chelsea, proving that David can actually beat Goliath.
Michael Johnston
*and on a personal note i was extra pleased because id bet on Chelsea to advance... however on closer inspection id chosen a different bet. I was devastated! but not devastated as half of the Chelsea team are as most of them are now ineligible to play in Munich!
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