Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona (agg 1-1) Barcelona win on away goals rule
Last night Chelsea had one of the most dramatic Champions League semi-final exits ever witnessed. With both teams starting brightly it was the home team that scored first in explosive fashion with Michael Essien hitting a left foot volley so sweetly which clocked in speed wise at 64mph. What a start for Hiddink’s men.
Barcelona played super one touch passing movements, maintaining possession in classic continental style. However it was Chelsea that looked more threatening every time they counter attacked Barca.
Then came a big penalty shout from Chelsea, with Drogba going down in the penalty area with a spot of shirt tugging and physical gamesmanship from defender Abidal but referee Ovrebo was not interested. Looked like a blatant pen on the replay to me.
In the second half, the Ivory Coast international striker was put in another great scoring position by Anelka but Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes stood up to Drogba and saved with an out stretched leg.
Abidal was dismissed with a straight red card in the 65th minute when Anelka made a run in on the Barca goal. Seemed harsh and Abidal’s team mates certainly thought so.
With Chelsea being mindful of their slender lead, they pushed for a second but it didn’t come. The nauseating prospect of a late knockout blow from the visitors loomed. It came tragically for them in the 92nd minute when Iniesta gained possession from Essien’s clearance and cracked a 20 yard shot past Cech to cement the favourites into the Champions League final against Manchester United.
In the dying moments, more scandal. German midfield general Micahel Ballack hit a superb volley goal wards which definitely struck Samuel Eto on the arm. Eto had both arms up which for me in that situation is a penalty; that said it is cruel on the man in the defensive position. Ballack reacted in an unsporting manner towards the ref, appealing aggressively by shouting and running after Ovrebo like a man possessed.
The final whistle blew. Drogba who loves to be the centre of attention violently appealed to the referee next. With adequate security he was ushered away from the referee but then went up to the Sky Sports camera and said “This is a disgrace, a disgrace...this is a f**king disgrace.” There will surely be UEFA punishment for this disgraceful behaviour. Yes, Chelsea were robbed last night but yet again it demonstrated at the highest level to families and kids tuning in to Sky Sports TV that within football there is no genuine respect for officials. A shame that Chelsea went out in this way but it has paved the way for a classic Blockbuster – Barcelona versus Manchester United in the Chamipions League final could well be a classic encounter.
Last night Chelsea had one of the most dramatic Champions League semi-final exits ever witnessed. With both teams starting brightly it was the home team that scored first in explosive fashion with Michael Essien hitting a left foot volley so sweetly which clocked in speed wise at 64mph. What a start for Hiddink’s men.
Barcelona played super one touch passing movements, maintaining possession in classic continental style. However it was Chelsea that looked more threatening every time they counter attacked Barca.
Then came a big penalty shout from Chelsea, with Drogba going down in the penalty area with a spot of shirt tugging and physical gamesmanship from defender Abidal but referee Ovrebo was not interested. Looked like a blatant pen on the replay to me.
In the second half, the Ivory Coast international striker was put in another great scoring position by Anelka but Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes stood up to Drogba and saved with an out stretched leg.
Abidal was dismissed with a straight red card in the 65th minute when Anelka made a run in on the Barca goal. Seemed harsh and Abidal’s team mates certainly thought so.
With Chelsea being mindful of their slender lead, they pushed for a second but it didn’t come. The nauseating prospect of a late knockout blow from the visitors loomed. It came tragically for them in the 92nd minute when Iniesta gained possession from Essien’s clearance and cracked a 20 yard shot past Cech to cement the favourites into the Champions League final against Manchester United.
In the dying moments, more scandal. German midfield general Micahel Ballack hit a superb volley goal wards which definitely struck Samuel Eto on the arm. Eto had both arms up which for me in that situation is a penalty; that said it is cruel on the man in the defensive position. Ballack reacted in an unsporting manner towards the ref, appealing aggressively by shouting and running after Ovrebo like a man possessed.
The final whistle blew. Drogba who loves to be the centre of attention violently appealed to the referee next. With adequate security he was ushered away from the referee but then went up to the Sky Sports camera and said “This is a disgrace, a disgrace...this is a f**king disgrace.” There will surely be UEFA punishment for this disgraceful behaviour. Yes, Chelsea were robbed last night but yet again it demonstrated at the highest level to families and kids tuning in to Sky Sports TV that within football there is no genuine respect for officials. A shame that Chelsea went out in this way but it has paved the way for a classic Blockbuster – Barcelona versus Manchester United in the Chamipions League final could well be a classic encounter.
