UCL RESULTS – MATCHDAY 7

CHELSEA 1 – 2 BARCELONA

"MESSI THE MENACE" AS HIS THEATRICS HELP IN THE SENDING OFF OF DEL HORNO

On Wednesday night StamfordBridge witnessed of the most action packed matches it has ever seen. Chelsea welcomed Spanish Champions Barcelona for the 1^st leg of the Knock – out stage. Both the teams wanted to prove a point to each other and the game began. As expected Chelsea started the match aggressively and created the bulk of the chances but Barca were not far behind as both teams battled it out. The Catalans had 66% of the possession at one stage and they were passing the ball meaningfully around. Petr Cech denied the visitors the opening goal as he saved Ronaldinho’s shot. A few minutes later Lionel Messi hit the cross bar. Chelsea were looking vulnerable and Barca were looking as though they were back to their very best. Just then something happened that changed the whole course of the game. Lionel Messi found his way past Robben and went down the right flank and just then Asier Del Horno tackled him with a foolish mistimed tackle. Messi clearly made a big deal out of it as he rolled over and acted as if he was in agonizing pain. The result Del Horno was shown a red card and Chelsea were down to ten men just before the half way mark. A rather harsh decision and Chelsea fans will be talking about this one for many years. Joe Cole was sacrificed as Mourinho brought on Geremi who had to play as Right back. At half time it was still goalless but it was just a matter of time before the Catalans took the lead.

Chelsea brought on Didier Drogba for some extra pace and it seemed to have had its effect. Drogba was brought down just outside the penalty box and a meaningless free kick was awarded to Chelsea. Lampard took the free kick and Motta made a meal of it as the ball hit his thigh and went for an own goal. Full credit to John Terry as he forced the deflection. Though a man less Chelsea were now in the lead. But like they say “What goes around comes around” and the same situation happened for Barcelona. Ronaldinho’s pin point free kick was headed in by John Terry and the Catalans were back in it. Substitute Henrik Larsson had a few opportunities but the winner eventually came from African player of the year Samuel Eto’o as he headed home the winner. Heart break for Chelsea fans as nothing went right for them. Chelsea will have to score at least 3 goals at the Nou Camp if they want to advance to the next round.

For Barcelona a repeat of last season’s result as they win 2 – 1. Strange was the fact that even last season a Chelsea player was sent off and Chelsea took the lead and Barca came back to win the match. Only difference was that it was at the Nou Camp. Barcelona will feel extremely happy with this result. Jose Mourinho was furious with the referee’s decision of sending Del Horno off the pitch. But there is still hope as Chelsea try to do what they did last season.

But as of now it’s FIRST BLOOD FOR THE CATALANS.