not much more to discuss than what has already been said here in between some excellent posts and some level tootoo.. but i want to point out a few things that I feel were overlooked..
1. Not enough credit is being given to Chelsea for a sterling defensive performance.
First and foremost, Chelsea did not adopt the same ultra defensive brand of the first leg even after scoring the first early goal. For all Barcelona's supposed attacking intent and possession, I commented during the game that you could draw a line in the Chelsea half in front their back four and just behind the midfield where existed an impenetrable wall. No matter what Barcelona threw at them they could not get through that. Credit to Ballack, Essien and Lampard for the way they fought in midfield to close down any space. Special mention reserved for the way they closed down the world's greatest player, Messi anytime he got the ball. Most times, Barcelona was forced to move the ball laterally, never through, and any cross from the wing was gobbled up by their towering centre halves. As a fan of the game of football, as much as you are in awe of Barcelona's great attacking prowess, you should also be able to appreciate Chelsea's defensive excellence.
2. Yaya Toure is not a defender and it showed.
Even disregarding the clear penalty shouts, I'm surprised no one is mentioning the constant shirt pulling and arm grabbing inside the pk box that couldve easily been called on the numerous occasions when Drogba and Anelka got the better of him. He get away with plenty.
3. Imo its unfair to come with this pre-rehearsed catch phrase that 'football was the winner' being endlessly parrotted about.
What we saw was a clash of two contrasting styles and thats what makes football beautiful. If Germany plays Brazil letting them have 70% possession to do all the pretty tricks and fancy touches in the world, then turn around and beat them 5-0 on counter-attack goals, can we say football was the loser?? Lets not overlook the fact that Chelsea had all the chances while Barcelona had 1 shot on goal. Chelsea let Barcelona have the ball in areas where they could not do the damage. Anyone notice how they let Pique bring the ball across the half line and then exposed the lack of numbers in the back as soon as Barca lost possession? Or how they let Alves have the ball on the wing.
4. Messi is the world player of the year and showed it in this game despite what people say
The men saying he had a bad game, he didnt show up, didnt do anything etc really dont know what they talking about. Chelsea's defense had an obvious concentrated tactic to neutralize Messi.. At least 3 (sometimes 4) players were racing towards him anytime he got the ball.. I think Pele, Maradona, Zidane, Di Stefano, Eusebio or any other legend of the game wouldve had similiar difficulty having to deal with that.. Yet he eat up Ashley Cole a few times well, used the ball wisely in possession and distributed well.. And set up the winner.
5. Damn. Never realized there were so many undercover Chelsea haters the world over.
My whole facebook front page, internet forums the world over including this one, email, my cell phone and every other social networking tool full of people only too happy to take a jab. I get a text from frigging Egypt!! steups..
Anyway.. all said and done, its a shame that the game had to be decided in those circumstances. All that in the game though and can't say i didnt truly enjoy the emotional rollercoaster even if the side i was backing lost.. all that in it and all that is football.. If there is one team I don't mind beating Chelsea to win it all is Barcelona. Fair play to them. I backing them from now, yuh know nuh if yuh cyah beat them join them.
Now go to Rome and show dem prawn sandwich eaters who is boss!!
omar...this is basically what I've been trying to say since the game finish..the only thing i disagree with is the Yaya toure bit..i think his physical play was necessary to counter drogba and i thought he did a great job..particualrly better than abidal..who even b4 the red card was NOT much of a factor in this game...
all i wanted..ever since my post on page 7 was people to recognise that chelsea played an excellent game against the perceived best team in the world..and it wasn't just all defnesive hope game they played..but ppl kept pointing to barca possession and how they were down to ten men...
I am also stated i was not pleased with chelsea in the first leg and particularly not impressed with the result they earned at the nou camp and i even said i don't mind that barca has advanced..all i want is for people to acknowledge is that chelsea played a great game against barcelona and can rightly feel aggrieved that tit did not get them any further
kicker..the mere fact that u continue to run to the first leg to show barca's superiority over the two legs..EMPHASISES that Chelsea was the better team in the second leg..and tha's all i've wanted all you chelsea naysayers to admit..but as Optimus Prime rightly said half of you all can't bring yourselves to admit it...
is not about england or spanish league for me..or missed penalties..is about due respect...and alot of people for time in memoriam never have and i admit will never respect chelsea..even tho for as long i have known
for me..
and we have years of pain that we gained no respect for..
2000 - UCL quarterfinal Barca (rivaldo, figo, Kluivert, enrique) win 6- 4 on aggregate after extra time in the Nou Camp..Chelsea were 7 minutes from eliminating them before Dani scored to deadlock the the tie at 4-4. Rivaldo scores a penalty and Kluivert adds another in Extra time..
2003/2004 - Morientes and Monaco sink Chelsea in the semi final..
2004/2005 - Luis Garcia scores "THAT PHANTOM GOAL" - Liverpool goes on to win
2005/2006 - We get drawn against Ronaldinho's Barca in the first knock out stage who knock us out - Barca wins the champion's league
2006/2007 - Liverpool wins on penalties in the semi finals after 1-1 aggregate - Liverpool loses to AC Milan
2007/2008 - We hit the bar, both posts and Terry slips on what would have been winning penalty in the final - Man U wins and their fans proclaim them as the best thing since football is invented..
2008/2009 - Andres Iniesta scores Barcelona's only shot on goal for the entire game after Chelsea neutralises Barca and creates several chances and has at least one definite penalty shout turned down... against the most dominating team in the world...yet Chelsea did not play football..
do we not earn the right to feel aggrieved