Champions League Knockout Stage

Chong

The second half was excellent, great performance by Barca. I will give JT his dues because he was the only oustanding Chelsea player out there.

Dcully

Chelsea might buy the premiership,Europe? I dont think so.
They were shown how to play football.
What a player Messi is going to be.
Barca a joy to watch and apart from Liverpool to win id love to see them or the gunners do it.
LOL @ the chelsea boo boy fans,they really need to learn something about the game

Shred

I was in the Nou Camp to see Barca hammer Betis 5-1 on Saturday and was hoping they'd turn it on again tonight and boy did they! It really should have been more with two stone wall penaltys not given for starters...

ZENER

Great match - Chelsea v Barca - Pity the sending off had such an effect but he looked like he wasn't interested in the ball at all and the Barca player could see that and was preparing himself for the collision.

Great football, Terry his usual immense performance, MOTM IMO. Ronaldhino absent for much of the match, bit of an Henry character (sorta glad utd. didn't buy him).

Overall from a neutral position a good game of football to see. Roll on round 2 !! Maybe the ref will favour Chelsea next time, or better still be fairer ?!

ZEN

Jammer

CivilServant wrote:

Chelsea played heroicly well. If it wasn't for a carvalho mistake, they could of actually won the match. Barcelona's 11 man advantage showed in the end. But don't write Chelsea off. Giles, Dunphy, & Brady overflowing with superlative adjectives for barcelona seem to forget that barca were playing with 11 men vs 10 for the majority of the game. Freakin idiots. Ref ruined the game, terrible decision.

Terrible decision?

Come on, explain how. He played the man, on the edge of the box, he was beaten, messi had clear path to goal....

merlinsmerryman

Take Terry out of that team tonight and they would have lost by 2 or 3 easily.

CivilServant

Jammer wrote:

Terrible decision?

Come on, explain how. He played the man, on the edge of the box, he was beaten, messi had clear path to goal....

Yellow card at the most. Played the man not the ball, unlikely, he missed the ball completely, and connected with messi. Unfortunate but definitely NOT a sending off offence. Straight path through to goal, hardly... terry and carvalho and co still to beat.

Christ listening to giles now is making me want to vomit. Chelsea won't have a chance at the nou camp?? Haha, can't wait for 2 weeks time with a referee that won't take brown paper envelopes. It is really that hard for UEFA to find a referee that can referee without making a contreversial decision???

Raskolnikov

:rolleyes: @ RTÉ pundits, they've pretty much written off Chelsea for the second leg.

Kingp35

ZENER wrote:

Overall from a neutral position a good game of football to see. Roll on round 2 !! Maybe the ref will favour Chelsea next time, or better still be fairer ?!

Please explain this. Messi deserved to go and Barcelona were denied a stonewall penalty.

I am delighted. Chelsea were shown up for the team they were. Mourinho got it tatically wrong in the first half by sitting back. You could see at the start of the second half that if Chelsea actually ahd a go at Barcelona they could get some joy because Barcelonas only weakness is there defence.

Barcelona should and could have won by more, only Terry prevented that and bar a very lucky goal they would be in real trouble. Football was the winner tonight because the team that plays the game how it should be played won and won well. Im delighted.

fade2black

Raskolnikov wrote:

:rolleyes: @ RTÉ pundits, they've pretty much written off Chelsea for the second leg.

They're right too.

OTliddy

Chelsea were ragged for most of the match. Barcealona, and Messi in particular, were a joy to watch. Go Barca!

Kingp35

CivilServant wrote:

Christ listening to giles now is making me want to vomit. Chelsea won't have a chance at the nou camp?? Haha, can't wait for 2 weeks time with a referee that won't take brown paper envelopes. It is really that hard for UEFA to find a referee that can referee without making a contreversial decision???

:rolleyes: I think your watching a different game to everyone else. Let me explain it to you. Del Horno commited a foul on the half way line that he was going to get booked for but the ref let play go on where Del Horno then completely missed the ball and clattered into Messi. Was a definite sending off if you combine the two and tbh probably was a sending off purely on the second challenge. For a ref taking brown paper envelopes he refused a definite penalty for Barcelone. Did you actually watch the game?

Jammer

CivilServant wrote:

Yellow card at the most. Played the man not the ball, unlikely, he missed the ball completely, and connected with messi. Unfortunate but definitely NOT a sending off offence. Straight path through to goal, hardly... terry and carvalho and co still to beat.

Christ listening to giles now is making me want to vomit. Chelsea won't have a chance at the nou camp?? Haha, can't wait for 2 weeks time with a referee that won't take brown paper envelopes. It is really that hard for UEFA to find a referee that can referee without making a contreversial decision???

He made no attempt for the ball....and as previously mentioned, he would have got a yellow card for challenge at halfway line. Not to mention his stab at Messi's knee earlier in first half.

He should have gone.

CivilServant

Kingp35 wrote:

I am delighted. Chelsea were shown up for the team they were. Mourinho got it tatically wrong in the first half by sitting back. You could see at the start of the second half that if Chelsea actually ahd a go at Barcelona they could get some joy because Barcelonas only weakness is there defence.

Barcelona should and could have won by more, only Terry prevented that and bar a very lucky goal they would be in real trouble. Football was the winner tonight because the team that plays the game how it should be played won and won well. Im delighted.

2-1 defeat against barcelona with 10 men, is being shown up. LOL please. Chelsea were tactically shown up? It's called changing your personnel and formation when the you get a man sent off. Credit to Chelsea for coming out and attacking in the second half and actually scoring first. Only then did you get a reaction from barcelona.

CivilServant

Kingp35 wrote:

:rolleyes: I think your watching a different game to everyone else. Let me explain it to you. Del Horno commited a foul on the half way line that he was going to get booked for but the ref let play go on where Del Horno then completely missed the ball and clattered into Messi. Was a definite sending off if you combine the two and tbh probably was a sending off purely on the second challenge. For a ref taking brown paper envelopes he refused a definite penalty for Barcelone. Did you actually watch the game?

Were you watching the same match? The incident happened near the corner flag and not messi heading in on goal. And when a referee books you for two yellow card tackles, he actually shows you the yellow card twice. Did you see any yellow card being shown at any stage?? A red card was issued immediately, which was the incorrect decision.

Also the ref didn't refuse the penalty, he saw it as a coming together, both players looking at the ball.

Jazzy

love hearing dunphy go on about how bad the PL is. cracks me up... every chance of a sly dig.

thats right eamo, Barcelona go out and hammer every La Liga team bar valencia & real 5 - 0. thats wat happens over there. AC, Inter & Juve destroy the lower seria A teams not a bother.
upsets never happen, contenental football is SOOOOOO much more superior.
forget the likes of:
Henry
Ljumberg
Van Nistlerooy
Gerrard
Lampard
Terry
Carragher
Alonso
Riise
Heinze
Ronaldo
Giggs
Scholes
Wayne f**kin Rooney
Carvalho
Gallas
Essien
Makalele
Crespo
Duff
Robben
Reyes
Van Persie
Hleb
Darren Bent
Murphy
Bergkamp
Mido
Defoe
King
Carrick
Davids
Owen
Emre
Parker
Given
Reina
Cech
Van Der Sar
Yakubu
Barton
Wright Philips
Ashley Cole

they are all inferior. crap players in comparison.
:rolleyes:

Kingp35

They were tactically wrong in teh first half not trying to exploit Barcelonas weakness in defence but instead stood off them. the first few minutes of the second half was how they should have played from the start. They got it wrong in teh first half and only started to play teh right way once they were down to 10

wheres me jumpa

Great game from a neutral perspective.

The red card ruined it for me slighlty, I would have loved to have seen who would come out on top 11 v 11. I thought the card was extremely harsh. As for Messi rolling, which imo Del Horno(watch his eyes) done also I couldnt help think back to the Robben incident v Liverpool.

Once Barca started playing in the second half they tore Chelsea apart, obviously ten men was a huge disadvantage. Terry was fantastic, Carvalho looked great but looked his usual lunatic self at times too, the free kick he gave away for the goal was foolish.

I wouldnt dare write Chelsea off yet, but I would have extreme doubts. Looking forward to seeing them pair up again on a good surface and 11 v 11.

One final point, The difference between the styles of play is unbelieveable. Chelsea have set the standard in England by playing this efficient robotic like style of play. Liverpool IMO seem to be going down that road also. I really hope this isnt the trend for the future, because watching Barcelona play in the last 20 minutes was a fantastic spectacle, something I havent seen in the Premiership since Arsenal last won the league.

Jumpa

Raskolnikov

Agree with Jazzy on his point about Dunphy panning the Premier League. True Barcelona are world class, what about the rest of the teams playing in Spain though eh? Betis were easily shown up by Liverpool and Chelsea in the group stages. Villareal barely struggled through the group stages, drew against a struggling Rangers tonight. As for Real Madrid, beaten at home by Henry and the Arsenal youth team.

Yep, a sham of a league.

Jonny Arson

Raskolnikov wrote:

Agree with Jazzy on his point about Dunphy panning the Premier League. True Barcelona are world class, what about the rest of the teams playing in Spain though eh? Betis were easily shown up by Liverpool and Chelsea in the group stages. Villareal barely struggled through the group stages, drew against a struggling Rangers tonight. As for Real Madrid, beaten at home by Henry and the Arsenal youth team.

Yep, a sham of a league.

I watch both leagues and I can safely say regarding fluid play and technical skills, the Spanish league pisses all over the EPL.

EPL may be more ''entertaining'' to watch regards action but if you're a fan of pure footballing skills and ability, la Liga is where it's at.

CivilServant

The right way to play football is to go out attacking non stop? Playing a defensive game and not conceding a goal is tactically wrong? Then yes they were tactically wrong. Liverpool were tactically wrong when they did exactly the same thing and pinched a goal against barcelona a few seasons back there were tactically wrong. Hmm.. no.

zAbbo

anyone watching maureen interview on SS1, urging sky to reply the red card incident 200 times a day, and get uefa to replay the game. haha

KdjaCL

Super game, thought Chelsea did well and tried to win, but Barca are unstoppable on form like that. Pitch didnt help either team, Makele had issues there and treied to keep away from the middle.

+1 for attacking football.

Lot of goals to look at, but why was the manager of Scotland watching Chelsea and not at the Rangers game?


Jose on SS1= legend


kdjac

A Dub in Glasgo

Barcelona are joy to watch Horno deserved to go, he was clattering Messi all night, should have had at least a booking up to his lunge at Messi that got him his red. Both players simulated when on the deck and to hear Gray on sky single out Messi was vomit inducing.

I thought Rikard got it perfect by putting Larsson up front with Messi & Eto'o playing just behind and a bit wide. It changed the game. Barcelojna should have had 2 penalties which were stonewallers IMO.

Looking forward to next week although I don't know if I can handle the ITV commentating team

Jonny Arson

zabbo wrote:

anyone watching maureen interview on SS1, urging sky to reply the red card incident 200 times a day, and get uefa to replay the game. haha

He cracks me up! I bet ya he won't be asking UEFA to replay game due to the 2 penalties Barca shoulda got!

It was red card. End f**king of. I like Mourinho alot since he's so entertaining but at time times he can be a pathetic sore loser.

Jammer

CivilServant wrote:

Were you watching the same match? The incident happened near the corner flag and not messi heading in on goal. And when a referee books you for two yellow card tackles, he actually shows you the yellow card twice. Did you see any yellow card being shown at any stage?? A red card was issued immediately, which was the incorrect decision.

Also the ref didn't refuse the penalty, he saw it as a coming together, both players looking at the ball.

You are looking at this completly the wrong way IMO.

Lets try a slightly different way; a cross originates in a similar position, and Del Horno jumps up and catches the ball.

Do you still say 'Well it had to beat terry and carvaliho and ferria before it would have been a goal....' no...this isn't all that different, Messi was gone passed Del Horno and had a great oppertunity to either score himself, or set someone up for a tap-in.

Del Horno knew what he was doing, and played the man.

In both scenario's, Del Horno commits a professional foul, and should be sent off.

HashSlinging

CivilServant wrote:

Christ listening to giles now is making me want to vomit. Chelsea won't have a chance at the nou camp?? Haha, can't wait for 2 weeks time with a referee that won't take brown paper envelopes. It is really that hard for UEFA to find a referee that can referee without making a contreversial decision???

This should read - HAHA I can't wait till Chelsea find a referee that will take a brown paper envelope.

FFS! biggest cheat$ in the game!

The Clown Man

2-3 in Nou Camp?

So very possible.

Seriously, all those going on saying the red card was deserved; STFU and take up cricket or some other sport that involves nil contact. It was simply a case of Del Horno realising he was too close and missing the ball because he was looking at Messi - the guy he was about to clatter in to and the guy who was about to join robben in his bid for an oscar.

It was maybe a yellow but NO FCKING WAY a red.

Sad to see a good game ruined and the subsequent small decisions throughout game were suspect to say the least but thats football and it'll make a great second leg tie.

1-2 and then 2-4?

Still every chance that Chelsea will go through.

CivilServant

Jammer wrote:

You are looking at this completly the wrong way IMO.

Lets try a slightly different way; a cross originates in a similar position, and Del Horno jumps up and catches the ball.

Do you still say 'Well it had to beat terry and carvaliho and ferria before it would have been a goal....' no...this isn't all that different, Messi was gone passed Del Horno and had a great oppertunity to either score himself, or set someone up for a tap-in.

Del Horno knew what he was doing, and played the man.

In both scenario's, Del Horno commits a professional foul, and should be sent off.

There are lots of situations where we feel that if that player is not fouled he will definitely score. This is not one of them. Del horno fouled messi at the corner flag, yes he could of set it up for a tap in. But a foul at the corner flag is a free kick, yellow card for dangerous tackle. Yes it was a dangerous tackle but he did try to play the ball first. There's no rule that says you must be careful when tackling, try to win the ball but not hurt the opposing player. This is football, a physical contact sport. Physical presence counts for a lot in the game. He was merely trying to win the ball in a fair way and take the man also which is not an offence, but he missed the ball so it become foul. He could of interpreted in many ways, but all 9 outfield barcelona players crowded around the referee to influence him,which is an offence in the Premiership, but allowed in under UEFA, pathetic really.

segadreamcast

wheres me jumpa wrote:

One final point, The difference between the styles of play is unbelieveable. Chelsea have set the standard in England by playing this efficient robotic like style of play. Liverpool IMO seem to be going down that road also. I really hope this isnt the trend for the future, because watching Barcelona play in the last 20 minutes was a fantastic spectacle, something I havent seen in the Premiership since Arsenal last won the league.

Jumpa

Spot on. There's a certain 'fluid' nature to their play - something that was seen in the previous Arsenal team. A lot of people call it "sexy football" I believe .

Chong

Mourinho is so hilariously stupid. His interview was complete joke, does he not know how to lose gracefully.

mike65

What about Terrys foul not getting picked up, should have been a peno.

Mike.

eirebhoy

I'm probably the only one on here that watched Ajax-Inter (had a big bet on Inter ). Inter didn't show up the 1st half. Their forwards (Adriano and Cruz) were brutal. Figo is still an excellent player. The stuff he was pulling off was superb. Inter's central defence (Cordoba and Samuel) were dodgy. Cordoba's a decent player but Samuel is nothing special from what I've seen. Zanetti was class. Cambiasso's 2nd half performance was the best I've seen of him. At the end, Martins was one on one with an Ajax player 30 yards from goals and should have taken him on. Instead he passed it and Cruz missed the chance of making it 3-2. If Martins went alone he would have beaten his man and most likely scored.

Trabelsi stuck out for Ajax but I didn't know most of the Ajax players with all their absentee's.

Jammer

CivilServant wrote:

There are lots of situations where we feel that if that player is not fouled he will definitely score. This is not one of them. Del horno fouled messi at the corner flag, yes he could of set it up for a tap in. But a foul at the corner flag is a free kick, yellow card for dangerous tackle. Yes it was a dangerous tackle but he did try to play the ball first. There's no rule that says you must be careful when tackling, try to win the ball but not hurt the opposing player. This is football, a physical contact sport. Physical presence counts for a lot in the game. He was merely trying to win the ball in a fair way and take the man also which is not an offence, but he missed the ball so it become foul. He could of interpreted in many ways, but all 9 outfield barcelona players crowded around the referee to influence him,which is an offence in the Premiership, but allowed in under UEFA, pathetic really.

Oh come on, all he had to do was loft the ball into the stands, instead he came steaming in and took the man out of it.

It is a contact sport, but it is not American Football, which is the last time i saw a 'tackle' like that.

Chelsea crowded around him too. Big deal!

Slash/ED

The sending off was harsh at best, debatable maybe but not worthy of the outrage sparked on Skys utterly pathetic, biased one sided garbage coverage typical of their coverage of English sides in the champions league. Ref biased to Barca? Lets not mention the two penaltys they could (should?) have had, certainly the second was as clear cut a penalty as you will ever see. Barca dominated from start to finish possession wise and created more chances, deserved to win and for the good of football I hope they go on and finish the job in the Nou Camp. Even 11 against 11 Barca were the better side, in fact Chelsea only came into it after the sending off.

The better team won, Sky and Chelseas petulent pathetic whinging does not take away from that, and it is especially galling after A, The Robben incident and B the goal that won them this tie last year. I just hope they go on to finish the job, great performance away from home from Barca and their support was immense too. Man of the match to either Messi or the incredible Puyol (Who was ingored while Sky waxed lyrical over Terry, shockingly, despite numerous brilliant tackles and interceptions as well as great passing). The only disappointing Barca performer was Deco.

zAbbo

Shame that only the full real time reply shows Del Horno chop at Messi inside the Chelsea half, then Messi skins him and with determination does Robben as well, he was about to get the ball, only for Del Horno to steam into him, straight red, end of story.

Chong

Slash/ED wrote:

The sending off was harsh at best, debatable maybe but not worthy of the outrage sparked on Skys utterly pathetic, biased one sided garbage coverage typical of their coverage of English sides in the champions league. Ref biased to Barca? Lets not mention the two penaltys they could (should?) have had, certainly the second was as clear cut a penalty as you will ever see. Barca dominated from start to finish possession wise and created more chances, deserved to win and for the good of football I hope they go on and finish the job in the Nou Camp. Even 11 against 11 Barca were the better side, in fact Chelsea only came into it after the sending off.

The better team won, Sky and Chelseas petulent pathetic whinging does not take away from that, and it is especially galling after A, The Robben incident and B the goal that won them this tie last year. I just hope they go on to finish the job, great performance away from home from Barca and their support was immense too. Man of the match to either Messi or the incredible Puyol (Who was ingored while Sky waxed lyrical over Terry, shockingly, despite numerous brilliant tackles and interceptions as well as great passing). The only disappointing Barca performer was Deco.

Post of the night.

Slash/ED

The Clown Man wrote:

Sad to see a good game ruined and the subsequent small decisions throughout game were suspect to say the least but thats football and it'll make a great second leg tie.

Like the two penaltys Barca should have had, eh!? Second was definite, first one, you can't put your arms up like that. He wasnt jumping, his arms had no right to be where they were it was not a natural movement so that easily could have been one too.

CivilServant

Jammer wrote:

Oh come on, all he had to do was loft the ball into the stands, instead he came steaming in and took the man out of it.

It is a contact sport, but it is not American Football, which is the last time i saw a 'tackle' like that.

Chelsea crowded around him too. Big deal!

Which is a bookable offence, yes. Red card offence, nope.

wheres me jumpa

eirebhoy wrote:

I'm probably the only one on here that watched Ajax-Inter (had a big bet on Inter ). Inter didn't show up the 1st half. Their forwards (Adriano and Cruz) were brutal. Figo is still an excellent player. The stuff he was pulling off was superb. Inter's central defence (Cordoba and Samuel) were dodgy. Cordoba's a decent player but Samuel is nothing special from what I've seen. Zanetti was class. Cambiasso's 2nd half performance was the best I've seen of him. At the end, Martins was one on one with an Ajax player 30 yards from goals and should have taken him on. Instead he passed it and Cruz missed the chance of making it 3-2. If Martins went alone he would have beaten his man and most likely scored.

Trabelsi stuck out for Ajax but I didn't know most of the Ajax players with all their absentee's.

Saw the highlights, Inter's second was a great goal.

KdjaCL

Lovenkrands goal of the night, superb shot.

Lots of jammy goals tonight, Werder Bremen got 3 and me €66.50


kdjac

Slash/ED

CivilServant wrote:

but all 9 outfield barcelona players crowded around the referee to influence him,which is an offence in the Premiership, but allowed in under UEFA, pathetic really.

Yep, you never see that in the premiership like, say, when the Man U players chased the ref around the pitch or the Chelsea reaction to Robbens dive against Liverpool. I'm gutted for Chelsea, the honourable upholders of all that is decent in football to succumb to such tactics. The phrase you reap what you sew certainly isn't jumping to mind....

Jivin Turkey

Barcelona looked very classy tonight, but for the RTE panelists and people here to claim that Chelsea don't have a chance? Wake up!

Nobody could successfully argue that Chelsea are a better footballing side to Barcelona. IMO Arsenal (when on form) are the only team I can think of at the moment that could rival them as a footballing side. But to be honest I don't think it was one of Barca's better footballing performances. Ronaldinho was quiet until the last 30 minutes. Eto'o was non-existent until the goal. Messi was head and shoulders above all their players tonight. But that's all they have. Deco wasn't great. Edmilson and Motta are nothing special. In fact I thought for periods through the middle it was Chelsea playing the intricate passing football, Gudjohnsen Makelele and Lampard in particular.

You would hope as a Barcelona fan that they would finally start running the 10 men they were up against ragged. The fact that it took them so long would be a worry if I were a fan for the second leg.

Chelsea were more than able to match them for 65-70 minutes tonight. 30 of those with 10 men. Chelsea will be able to score in the Nou Camp. They could easily score two or even three. How are Barca going to set out their stall? To defend? I hope for their sake they aren't. Chelsea can go out and attack, because even if they were to concede, they were going to have to score two anyway. This tie is still very much alive, and will probably be the pick of the ties again on the next matchday(s).

The sending off was definitely harsh. There was no malice in it IMO. I think the only reason Del Horno missed the ball was because he was expected Messi to take a touch and then go in for a 50:50. He didn't expect Messi to bitch out and jump, not Messi's fault I know, but at the same time I think Del Horno should be cut some slack because of that. I don't think it was cynical (like his foul just previous to the incident for example). A yellow at most.

Drogba caused problems in the short time he was on and will definitely start the second leg. Robben was woeful I thought and it was the wrong decision to take Cole off instead of him IMO.

Chelsea have nothing to lose in the next leg, and I'd expect a match similar to the one at Stamford Bridge last year. Get your money on 3+ goals I'd say.

Slash/ED

Have to disagree especially on Robben, I thought he was the only Chelsea player causing problems for Barca at the back, and also, at 11 v 11 and for the entire match really bar a short spell Barca dominated it possession and chances wise. You can't expect them to score 5 goals every time they play, as a performance away to the English champions it was very, very good.

Jammer

I think the possesion stat around the time of the sending off was 68-32 in barca favour, or something similar...

Necronomicon

Slash/ED wrote:

The sending off was harsh at best, debatable maybe but not worthy of the outrage sparked on Skys utterly pathetic, biased one sided garbage coverage typical of their coverage of English sides in the champions league.

Agreed. I thought the sending off was harsh, but listening to Andy Gray I nearly coughed up my pint. And Messi rolling around? Del Horno rolled around just as much and he was the offender.
I thought Barca controlled the game, except for one period in the second half after Chelsea scored. I thought it was somewhat ironic that with all the multi-million pound talent on show, it took two own goals to open the game. After Terry's own-goal, the game became brilliant. Very open, although Barca were on top and Chelsea had to play on the break. Understandable, with them down to ten men. I thought Barca could have punished them further. Larson had a free header that he should have put away, but on his second chance he was denied from a great piece of defending from Terry. If he hadn't already made up for the own goal with that, he made another clearence off the line from Ronaldinho. The other great chance was Messi's shot that hit the crossbar. He was absolutely on fire tonight.
You can never rule out Chelsea, they are capable of scoring 2 goals anywhere. But on the balance of probability you'd say that Barca will score on their own turf, so they might have to score 3. But let's not forget that last season's first leg finished 2-1 to Barca as well, and it was one crazy second leg. It sets it up nicely.

CivilServant

Gudjohnson was really good tonight, as well as lampard and makele. Geremi came on after del herno's incident, and I thought he was lacking. Especially for eto's goal, ronaldinho running with the ball, two sliding tackles from makele and geremi were easily brushed off. That time barca were showing there footballing skills and chelsea were stretched. But they still showed a desire to get upfield and score another after barcelona had equalised, which cost them dearly in the end. But a valiant effort for 10 men

Jivin Turkey

Slash/ED wrote:

Have to disagree especially on Robben, I thought he was the only Chelsea player causing problems for Barca at the back

Robben caused problems because he was up front with no defensive duties. But he just ran at them before losing the ball. I lost count of the times that he gave it away in fashion that would make Luis Garcia blush. I'm really beginning not to rate him, particularly against bigger sides, where as Cole is always good for popping up with a goal when it matters, he would also have worked harder.

Drogba also fashioned two chances, of which he definitely should have stuck away one.

Slash/ED wrote:

at 11 v 11 and for the entire match really bar a short spell Barca dominated it possession and chances wise. You can't expect them to score 5 goals every time they play, as a performance away to the English champions it was very, very good.

Barcelona only had one chance in the first half, when Cech saved well from Ronaldhino. There was another half chance where Ronaldinho didn't even get a shot away but that's it.

I said Chelsea more than matched them, which might be overly kind on them, but they certainly were not taught a lesson in football in the first 45 which people seem to think happened for the whole game.

For all the talk about Barcelona being the best footballing side on the planet, I think they should have done better against a side with 10 men and playing two forwards.

CivilServant

Necromomicon wrote:

Agreed. I thought the sending off was harsh, but listening to Andy Gray I nearly coughed up my pint. And Messi rolling around? Del Horno rolled around just as much and he was the offender.
I thought Barca controlled the game, except for one period in the second half after Chelsea scored. I thought it was somewhat ironic that with all the multi-million pound talent on show, it took two own goals to open the game. After Terry's own-goal, the game became brilliant. Very open, although Barca were on top and Chelsea had to play on the break. Understandable, with them down to ten men. I thought Barca could have punished them further. Larson had a free header that he should have put away, but on his second chance he was denied from a great piece of defending from Terry. If he hadn't already made up for the own goal with that, he made another clearence off the line from Ronaldinho. The other great chance was Messi's shot that hit the crossbar. He was absolutely on fire tonight.
You can never rule out Chelsea, they are capable of scoring 2 goals anywhere. But on the balance of probability you'd say that Barca will score on their own turf, so they might have to score 3. But let's not forget that last season's first leg finished 2-1 to Barca as well, and it was one crazy second leg. It sets it up nicely.

Yeah another 4-2 should do nicely

blu_sonic

barca had somwhere in the region of 80 plus precent pass completion , see the stats @ http://home.skysports.com/Article.asp?id=365842