Second-League of Semi-Final Champion's League
Stamford Bridge
05.05.2009
Chelsea scored early goal at Stamford Bridge, and looked to be eliminating ten-men Barca until their hearts were broken in the dying moments...
As a Chelsea fan I am disappointed with the result but congratulations to Barcelona. The game had everything, dogged defense by Chelsea, skill form Barcelona and 2 great goals. The sad part was the officials. Pathetic display by the referee without a doubt one of the worst. You have to ask the question as to whether the Ref was up to it and I am sad to say he got all big decisions wrong. To see Chelsea various clear penalties crushed me, and confirmed that this game was stolen. I must admit Drogba should take blame for his inability to put the ball in the net, he seemed to have the perfect support and all the opportunities he would need to kill the game yet he disappointed a nervous Stamford Bridge. Credit to Iniesta it was a fantastic strike, but that is about it because Chelsea dominated the game, perhaps not in possession which meant nothing in this game but in terms of opportunities Barcelona were destroyed. A fair score for this game should have been 3-1 at the least for Chelsea, an excellent defensive display, great support from the middle of the pitch but a rather ineffective attack. An entirely undeserved win for Barcelona and a great injustice for the Blues.. I am also sad that we had to witness some unsavory behaviour by one or two people at the end but I am sure we can understand their frustration...
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Ballack, Essien; Anelka, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba (Belletti 71).
Scorer Essien 8.
Booked Essien 73, Alex 76, Ballack 90+6, Drogba 90+6.
Barcelona(4-3-3): Valdés; Alves, Piqué, Touré, Abidal; Busquets (Bojan 84), Xavi, Keita; Messi, Eto'o, Iniesta (Gudjohnsen 90+5).
Scorer Iniesta 90+2
Booked Alves 29, Eto'o 90, Iniesta 90+2.
Sent-off Abidal 65.
