Champions League: Chelsea 1 - 1 Barcelona
Wednesday, 06 May 09, 07:50 PM · Comments (127)
Match reports
The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "Despair in a football match cannot come more intolerably or improbably. Barcelona vaulted over Chelsea in the third minute of stoppage time to seize a place in the Champions League final against Manchester United with their sole shot on target. It also stood apart because the strike into the top corner by Andrés Iniesta was exquisite after Lionel Messi had set him up on the fringes of the area."
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "The bitterest of bile could be the only taste in Chelsea mouths on Wednesday night. A poor performance by the Norwegian referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo, who failed to award Chelsea three penalties, cost Guus Hiddink’s side a place in the Champions League final and cost some of Hiddink’s players their composure."
The Times, Oliver Kay: "The anguished expressions of John Terry and his team-mates at the end were familiar, but this time, rather than a game of Russian roulette in Moscow or a phantom goal on Merseyside, Chelsea’s European dreams were ended by the cruellest twist in the final moments of this dramatic tale as Andrés Iniesta sent Barcelona to Rome with a spectacular goal in the third minute of stoppage time."
The Independent, Sam Wallace: "The fickle hand of football seems to discover new, ever crueller ways to deny the billionaire who has everything the one thing his money cannot buy. It was penalties in Moscow last year; last night it was a goal from nowhere, or rather from the right boot of Andres Iniesta in the 93rd minute, Barcelona's one shot on target in the entire game. The goal was the last defiant act of the 10 remaining Barça men who for long periods of the game were ploughed into the home soil by the power of Chelsea."
Official Chelsea FC Website: "An away goal two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game knocked Chelsea off the road to Rome on a night of many regrets."
The goals
The preamble
I was calm, relaxed and not at all nervous in the build-up to kick-off. In fact, I was painting bookshelves until 7:40 p.m. when I decided that it was about time I checked the line-ups.
I wasn't as surprised as some to see that Hiddink had named both Drogba and Anelka in the starting eleven. The two of them combined brilliantly in the weekend win over Fulham.
Would we go for it though?
Barcelona were without defenders Puyol (suspended) and Marquez (injured), while Henry missed out with a knee injury. Yaya Toure was switched to centre-half alongside Pique, probably to give their defence a bit of height in an effort to counteract the threat of Drogba.
'Blue is the Colour' and the pre-kick-off Champions League tune finally got the nerve ends jangling.
The good
- Hiddink's tactics. They were perfect. To limit a team of Barcelona's undoubted quality (they've scored 146 goals this season) to one shot on target in 96 minutes of this match, and one goal in over 180 minutes of the tie was nothing short of genius. Ignore all the "anti-football" crap - Hiddink knew exactly how to beat Guardiola's side and came within 90 seconds of doing so. Barca had 70% possession, but it's what they did, or didn't do with that possession that counted. They were toothless and ineffectual in the final third. If we had taken just one of the numerous chances we created after Essien had given us the lead, there's no doubt in my mind that Barca's heads would have dropped in much the same way Arsenal's did against Manchester United last night. After Drogba missed the best of the chances to make it 2-0, a friend looked across with a wry smile on his face and said, "That's going to cost us." I thought it prudent not to say anything, but silently I agreed. I wrote in an email to Habs after last week's first leg that I didn't think nil-nil was a good result, because preventing Barca from scoring at least one goal was always going to prove difficult. We almost did, but almost isn't good enough.
- Florent Malouda. It's hard to believe he's the same player that started the season. He's been a revelation since Hiddink took charge. His all round performance was outstanding. He gave Alves a torrid time but also defended brilliantly. Probably my Man of the Match.
- John Terry. Magnificent. He marshalled the whole team as one defensive unit. People need to recognise that this aspect of the game is just as beautiful as free-flowing, attacking football when it's done as well as we managed in this tie. It's not good for the old ticker though.
- Essien's goal. What a strike. I doubt he'll hit a ball as sweet as that again in his next 100 games.
- Yaya Toure. I've been an admirer of his for a couple of seasons now. It was clear from the kick-off that he's no centre-half, positionally he was all over the place, but on several occasions he recovered and saved his team from going 2-0 down. His perfectly timed tackle on Drogba was the one penalty decision the referee got right, and his recovery to deny Anelka a shooting opportunity was outstanding. His contribution was just as important as Iniesta's goal.
The bad
- The referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo. I hate conspiracy theories so won't go down that route. Ovrebo was inept and incompetent, that's all. It was as incompetent a refereeing performance as you'll see in a game of this magnitude (Hiddink said in the post-match press conference that "At this moment I have to think a lot if I have ever seen worse"). There's no doubt we should have had at least two penalties - Alves' foul on Malouda was clearly inside the area, and Pique's handball was as blatant a handball offence as you'll see (Pique even admitted as much in a post-match interview) - but on the flip side Ovrebo sent off a Barca player for a nothing tackle. Both Barca's full-backs, Abidal and Alves, can count themselves unlucky to be missing the final. Bring back Collina!
- We didn't take our chances. Hiddink's counter-attacking tactics would have worked perfectly if we had taken just one of the several opportunities we had to kill off the tie. Barca wouldn't have recovered from a 2-0 deficit.
- Didier Drogba's reaction after the final whistle. I'm sorry, but I don't agree with several commenters on the last post. I just found it all a bit embarrassing. He did get one thing right though, the ref's performance was a fucking disgrace. A lot is sure to be made of the team's reaction at the end, but it was no worse than Barca's after Abidal had been given his marching orders. I might start believing in a conspiracy if we're charged and Barca get away with it.
Player ratings
- Petr Cech - 6/10 - Had nothing, and I mean nothing, to do all night except pick the ball out of the back of his net in the 92nd minute.
- Jose Bosingwa - 7/10 - Dilly-dallied on the edge of his own area a few times, and gave the ball away lightly a few times. That said, he kept Iniesta quiet on the left for 92 minutes.
- John Terry - 8/10 - Superb display, a defensive master class. Was at the heart of, and executed to perfection, Hiddink's master plan.
- Alex - 7.5/10 - Yet another no nonsense performance alongside Terry. Took one for the team when he stopped Messi in his tracks and would have missed the final if things had ended differently.
- Ashley Cole - 7.5/10 - Got forward to play a big part in our goal - it was his turn and pass back to Lampard that kept the attack going and ultimately set up Essien's wonder strike. Did well against Messi once the diminutive Argentinean was switched to the right after spending the opening 20 minutes or so in the centre of attack.
- Michael Essien - 7/10 - A wonder goal, probably a better strike than Zidane's similar effort in the 2002 final. His weak clearance that led to Iniesta's equalizer was his other major contribution. From hero to villian in the space of 80 minutes.
- Michael Ballack - 7/10 - Sat in front of the back four and did his job. Solid is the best word to describe his performance. Lost it after our umpteenth penalty claim was turned down and was booked. Would have missed the final if we had somehow managed to score a second.
- Frank Lampard - 8/10 - Didn't waste a pass all night. Made several excellent tackles to rob Barca of possession, all be it briefly. Played a major role in Essien's goal.
- Florent Malouda - 8.5/10 - Brilliant going forward and in defence. Didn't let up for the whole 90 minutes. A Man of the Match performance.
- Nicolas Anelka - 7/10 - Was at the centre of two of the biggest talking points: Abidal's sending off, and Pique's handball. Did a good job out on the right before switching to play the lone striker role after Drogba was taken off with a knee injury.
- Didier Drogba - 6.5/10 - Wreaked havoc in the Barca back four, but his finishing let him down. Was a rock in defence too. I found his reaction after the final whistle a bit embarrassing though. Sure to receive a ban.
Man of the Match
Florent Malouda. Just ahead of John Terry.
Final thoughts
It's a cruel, cruel game.
But we still have the Cup Final to look forward to!
Related links
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
127 Comments · Add yours
Sorry the report's a bit brief. I might add more sometime tomorrow. I've got a busy couple of days coming up and wanted to get something posted before bed. In hindsight, I shouldn't have had that last beer.
This is not the first time we have been cheated by “strange” refereeing decisions. In an age now where people are even demanding accountability of the police, surely referees, and those who appoint them should also be accountable, if not to the players, then how about to us, the paying customers. Maybe next season we, the fans should boycott the Champions League group matches, to show our disgust, and more importantly, to seek an inquiry into the refereeing of these matches. Our position as customers is the only power we have. Let’s use it!
When they scored late on, I felt like I was in a nightmare and that I was hoping I'd wake from it. I couldn't believe it. I wish they had outplayed us and knocked us out. That way, I could have accepted that we weren't good enough.
The refereeing in this match has to be the worst I've even seen in my life. Honestly, I dont think most people could believe some of the decisions. Like Terry pointed out, you could maybe understand why he maybe missed the first two. But I can't we weren't awarded a penalty for Pique's hand ball. It was so blatant. And the other one towards the end of the game when Eto'o handled the ball should also have been given.
I can't explain how disappointing it is to lose the semi-final over refereeing decisions. It's a tough lesson for us. We should have killed the game off before hand nonetheless. Drogba spurned a couple of excellent chances. It hurts when you think that we were a minute away from the final.
I think Terry missing his kick in Moscow was worse, so this doesn't really rank anywhere near that. I feel like it's over and that we can't do anything about it and we should move on. But whenever I think of the match, there's this nagging feeling of disappoinment and what could've been.
I think Drogba and the players were right to act the way they did. I'm sorry if it's against the rules, ethics or whatever. I think when you've given so much over 180 minutes and worked so hard to be in the position we were, and to lose the tie because of some referee, you're just going to react the way he did. We're all just human after all. I could understand how he felt. We were out at that moment, nothing mattered anymore.
We've come back from worse. This team has been thru so much, I'm sure they can bounce back. And we still have the cup final like you said and maybe we can end the season on a high.
BLUE IS THE COLOUR
Agree with most of your report, Tony.
Has to be said though that anyone who has been a Chelsea fan for more than 5 minutes was waiting for the equaliser.
As much as the ref was awful and could have given any number of penalties, we didn't take our chances and it ultimately cost us.
I do think the ref was right about Abidal though. Although he was unlucky, as the clipping of Anelka's heels seemed to be accidental, he was the last defender and he did stop a clear cut goalscoring opportunity.
I feel the reaction at the end was fairly natural, and as much as Drogba is a silly boy ( I'm sure he will be very heavily punished, probably meaning he will be un-sale-able even if we wanted to this Summer) his reaction showed how much the lads care.
For those criticizing, think at the manner of our exits - pens to Scousers, ghost goal against Scousers, slip for pen against Utd and now a last minute heart-breaker. For all the wages they collect, winning this trophy for Chelsea really has become the Holy Grail, and they all know that there will not be many more chances.
Really proud of the way they played over both legs, especially tonight..... They deserved more out of the game, but as I said on yesterday's blog, Barca did what we didn't mange, and got an away goal , and so they over the two legs they did enough....Just!
It is odd- I've seen two other matches that have had refereeing that is as bad or worse than than this one.
All three of those matches had Guus Hiddink as a manager in the match.
I have no idea what that means.
The first was perhaps the most gut wrenching game I have ever seen- the quarterfinal of the 2002 World Cup when Spain played South Korea. 2 goals were disallowed- the worst one Morientes's header because Joaquin's pass was "out of bounds" even though the replay had it in by over a foot. Guus was the coach for South Korea.
Then, Guus was cruelly denied in the next world cup when the Italians had a last-gasp dive by Grosso enable them to get past the Australians. It was a terrible, cynical play, the ref bought it. Who knows if the Aussies would have beaten them, but that decision made sure that they didn't.
Now, we have this game. Which, I think, is probably worse. 2 1/2 penalties. I'm not sure about the Eto'o handball, but the Pique was obvious, as was Malouda being manhandled. Yes, Abidal should never have been sent off. It was clear that Alves should have been instead.
The team was magnificent otherwise. Alex and Terry were immense. I think 7.5 is low- he did some serious defending. How can the team with the most goals around Europe have only one shot on target, yet the central defender gets only a 7.5? What else is he supposed to do? "Congrats, you stopped a freight train with your bare hands, but we are marking you down for style points."
Notwithstanding his antics afterwards, and his flopping during the game, which, frankly, might have been why we didn't get a penalty and was the worst flopping and whinging I'd ever seen from him, Didier's performance tonight makes me think that I'm ok if he leaves this summer. 2 gilt edged chances to score- and 2 bad shots. A through pass on goal, and he bottles his touch. He's immense, and he's our spearhead. But if we rely on him, but his shot can't be relied upon, we have to move on.
Shit these games and results fuck up your sleeping patterns. Not much to add other than being pretty gutted, although I just sensed that with the failed penalty appeals, and the inability to finish some very good chances, it would come back to bite us on the arse.
Having seen Barca over the two legs I think Utd. will do them. They'll get it right defensively, and make what will be a second choice defence for Barca pay come the 27th.
Unless of course Platini appoints another incompetent/corrupt (delete as applicable) ref for the final. If I was a Utd fan, that would be my only concern, as I've seen nothing from Barca's pretty football that should worry Vidic and Ferdinand.
Ah well, at least we'll have a full weeks rest prior to our Cup Final appearance.
tom alfredo is the kontrovesial refree............
his can't to be refree.....
sorry chelsea too bad Barcelona made it to Roma
Reply to Harry:
[quote]I think Drogba and the players were right to act the way they did. I'm sorry if it's against the rules, ethics or whatever. I think when you've given so much over 180 minutes[/quote]
Far, far more than 180 minutes were on the line. The Liverpool tie means nothing now. If I were Drogba I'd be upset too. However, I'd be upset that I failed to put the ball in the net despite having multiple chances.
Drogba cost us more than the referee did, no matter how awful the officiating was. He's paid to score and he failed to do that when it mattered.
That said, we were robbed and I've now watched the final minutes over and over again hoping that somehow something changes.
I couldn't believe the goal happened. I mean I spent most of the second half fearing that it would happened near injury time, but still my heart stopped when it actually happened, especially considering the actual time when it did. Being a football fan means I have to be ready to feel like shit all day for something I basically have no control over, and this isn't the first time as it won't be the last.
I agree with previous comment, for me it's not as cruel as Terry's Moscow penalty, however I feel that this time we deserved the win more, have given more effort and we did exceptionally well, thus I feel it's more bitter.
The referee's decisions were cringe worthy, but we couldn't make more goals so the fault also lays with us, few chances were wasted and that was our mistake, and that's the thing that ultimately made us lose the game. Still, as I said before we nevertheless did exceptionally well, I'm proud of our team and our coach for the wonderful semifinal games and will get over this bitter defeat in time.
For now though, I'm going to continue feeling like shit for the rest of the day.
Absolutely gutted... I don't think I can watch the Champions League next year if it will end like the last two.. I'm tired of Drogba's antics though, it was bad enough when he was sent off last year against Man U but now this?!? The refreeing was a disgrace but so was Drogba. If he's going to throw that fit he needs to at least score.
Drogba's getting to be a fucking embarassment. Get rid soon as.
Still sinking in though.
Shit.
Who to support in the final?
Reply to Nick2:
Neither.
Take the wife or girlfriend out for a meal.
Do something else.
I know I will.
Sorry for Chelsea FC. I watched the game last night.
What i have feared come true.A last minute goal. Actually chelsea should know that they need to get that 2nd goal. In the end i think its their tired leg that gives up. Should clear the ball better!! Damned!. Also hiddick i think should change tired player like essien, malouda with mikel and kalou.
Drogba and Anelka should terrorise barca defend as they r only 10 man with 20minutes to go.
On the ref, I think in norway there no penalty in their game.
Anyway i hope next year we will get younger player to challange for the title. Should get players below 25 so that in 5 years time we will see some results.
Guus was the hero and villain on the day...
For crying out loud...extra time...you have two more subs...make two subs in extra time...
Drogs gets an injury...he goes off and your option against 10 men is a defensive midfielder on the wing? Where is Kalou?
Essien is run down and actually was kinda responsible for the goal conceded...i.e. if you watch the control from Eto and Essien'e attempted clearance you could tell that some one had weights on his legs...
I will not talk about the ref because from what I have heard...UEFA was not going to have another English Team Champions League final...at whatever cost there was no way a penalty was going to be given to Chelsea...
And my favourite...how did iniesta remain so un-marked right at the front of our box...Where was the midfield...
1. Essien was between Eto and Messi being supported by Bosingwa
2. Ballack was covering our Central Defenders and infront of Terry and Alex
3. Lampard...where was he? Running back from the oppositions half...
4. Belleti...where was he? Marking space...
It was just not meant to be...
Good article from Martin Samuel LINK
Nick, you taking the whole thing so calmly! How do you do it? :) I was a raving lunatic at my home after the game!
Guus managed to totally outsmart Barcelona over both legs, with the 2nd leg being an even better performance from us. I can take consolation that we never lost against them, they go through "just because".
Drogba should of smacked the ref - it would've made the way that idiotic referee blew the game a little better.
And lastly, As someone said, I guess maybe Barca needed a little "luck" (and a 12th player - the ref) on their side - they have by far been the best football team in Europe this season. They do deserve to be in the final, but then again - so do we. :) It would've been the greatest path to the final if we had gone through - Juve, Liverpool, Barca and then win against Man U. Just imagine that.
Over and out - Jason from South Africa.
Article by Graham Poll with pics of the 4 penalties the ref should of given -> LINK
For once i cannot slate Drogba for his reaction, i felt that he expressed the outrage i felt at the time as did Ballack.
Cruel game, i had feared a late goal throughout the game, and it materialised. WE should have another but even without a second goal, and their late equaliser, we should have had a fair shot of winning - the handball was obvious, and we ought to have have a penalty.
The ref should be suspended - although i doubt he will, infact he might be given a medal by uefa - and we should get an apology.
I'm gutted, gutted, gutted. No one gave us a chance against the bestest team in the world, we proved we were worthy of a slot at the top, only to be denied. As bad as i feel, i can't but spare a thought for Roman, who wants this trophy more than anything!!
I will not watch the final!
Blue is the colour.
Fuck all those journalists and "experts" who show they know nothing about the game by falling for this Barcelona/Arsenal hype about beautiful football, where "beautiful football" means tapping the ball about and diving every time the other team dares to try and take it off you. Especially fuck that cunt Patrick Cuntlay in the Times - were those penalties or not last night, and do they mean Barcelona fouled their way to the final? Fuck all those people who bore on about history and tradition, where honouring history and tradition means it's only acceptable if the same few teams win everything and some plucky underdogs get a look in with a cup run now and again. Fuck UEFA and the FAPL, who turned their competitions into elitist, self-perpetuating closed shops that make the richest clubs richer and who now seem surprised and annoyed that(a)the richest clubs dominate them and(b)Chelsea are now one of the rich clubs. Fuck them too for turning this into a sport where the person sitting at home watching on the tele matters more than the paying spectator. Fuck all those people who want us to accept that referees make mistakes but who conveniently ignore the fact that the "mistakes" overwhelmingly go in favour of those few clubs who are allowed to win trophies. Fuck all the wankers who will today be droning on about our deserving it because we don't play football/dive/have too much money/are posh/weren't here when we were shit blah ad fucking infinitum blah. 'Cause we are the Chelsea and we are the best.
I tried posting last night but the blog went offline for maintenance just as I hit submit lol. Its strange but as I watched the game talking to my friend on the phone, both of us had a nagging suspicion Barca were gonna sneak a goal in. I personally suspected Iniesta was gonna be the final nail in our coffin.
Looking back I can't fault Barca for winning, and lets give them this, down to 10 and they came at us with a vengeance. We on the the other hand did what we were doing best before Hiddink came, which was slowly reverting to what cost us so many games during Scholari's tenure as manager.
Be_Champions covered what I was going to say last night is why the fuck was Drogba reverting to the Scholari era of flopping about like a fish. There can be no excuse for Anelka and Drogs falling over after those decisions went against us. It seemed like a comedy routine of if at first you don't succeed. Add to that it gave us those lovely added minutes of stoppage time.
Also Musamba despite his trolling has very valid points. Hiddink might have got the tactics right, but Belleti's sub was a mistake as was him not utilising his other subs. Also who the fuck was marking Iniesta. He was just standing outside our box as Messi passed the ball.
In the end it boils down to the simple fact, we din't kill the game when we should have. Having been undone by so many dubious refereeing decisions in the past, I really can't decide our players were naive or simply arrogant to think 1-0 was gonna cut it. We didn't even step up the attack when Barca went down to 10 men for fuck sakes.
Can definitely understand your dissappointment. I do agree that two of them were clear cut penalties. Barca fans will argue that henry didn't get the penalty from first leg. But that's not fair for me. As i wrote on my report in my site, two wrongs never make a right. so Chelsea should have awarded the penalties. But again like it or not Chelsea players also has to take some blame, especially Drogba who should have finished the game much early.
Looks Hiddink still has the semi-final curse with him in all major tournaments. We never had any luck in the semi-final lasts eason, but this time there were tons of it. Tough luck, All the best for FA cup. Hiddink deserves something for turning around thing so quickly.
And I don't know about Conspiracy theories. But this referee was the one who awarded Romania a penalty against Italy in the Euro 2008. May be this time he was playing safe. You should have seen Guardiola's reaction prior to the goal. He even shared a laugh with Hiddink, that showed the desperation in that man.
Why are we talking about the 'missed chances' and 'finishing the game off'? These are independent of the poor refereeing decisions!!
why did they become 'chances'? because we created them, we played, we played well.We had 7+ shots at the goal, it was robbery, blatant injustice, unfortunately it was not the first leg or group stages hence those decisions were monumental, we don't have a second chance to prove ourselves, that hurts, it may take a while for us to pull ourselves up, we were never babies, we never will be, We just have to take it in our stride, we definitely wiil, We have gotten used to taking things in our stride, fighting against all odds. If we were beaten 3-0, hell, with their 'Beautiful' game we would stand up and applaud and support them for the finals(for obvious reasons), It was not a fair game & we just need to whine for a little while, that is all we are doing here.
Whats' next for Chelsea? What's next for Drogs? And Guus's comments..after the game... Imagine a certain Rednose & Whinger after such a brutal game, Guus is the man, Total class. but a part of me misses Jose, he would have gone bersek!!! brings a smile imagining what he would have talked at a press conference after such a game, UEFA Ban? 'I don't care' he would say :).. he would probably say that the referee was playing PS2 game after picking Barca as his side... Jose, would have calmed down Drogs for his display of emotions, only he could control Drogs..but, Guus did it too in all fairness to him.
my only gripe is..Guus didnt do anything after 92 mins to slow down the game with some sort of substitution..why Guus,..why? but that man is sheer class, he wanted to play a fair and tough game, didn't want to resort to such tactics I guess..Kudos to the man, Absolute class Guus.
PS: And all those commentators and experts comparing Manure's Fletcher's behaviour after the red card vs Drogs... take a walk, I think Rednose would have been th one doing all intimidation of the referees.
"And all those commentators and experts comparing Manure's Fletcher's behaviour after the red card vs Drogs... take a walk, I think Rednose would have been th one doing all intimidation of the referees."
I've not seen or read any comparisons to the above, but there would be no doubt had the score still been 0-0 then the reaction from everyone in the Utd camp would have been totally different.
It's easy to be gracious when you're 3-0 up and cruising.
Nick,
Cannot believe that you can do an objective analysis about this sham of a football game. Cheers mate! I have cried for the last 10 hrs and don't think I can do what you have done.
It is people like you that remind me why
Chelsea is what it is! KTBFFH
Reply to Clive:
Clive! I am an Indian student in America and have watched Chelsea since 1996. I just cannot understand the spite for our club. Is this historical or is it it Romanical.
And maybe we should participate in the
Europa league, might be fairer than the crap we see. I'm tired and can't cry no more.
@dustlancer: This game is about three things, not conceding, scoring goals, and fair officiating. Granted, we should have scored more but the fact that we didn't doesn't imply that we deserved to lose. In games of this magnitude, every decision counts. And yesterday's decisions cost us.
Barca deserve no credit for continuing to attack after going a goal down, and having a man sent off; they had nothing to lose, and everything to gain, it was the only logical thing for them to do. for all our faults, losing wouldn't have been inevitable if it hadn't been for the referee. Failing to award a penalty is one thing, but it should have given him pause for thought the second time of asking: isn't that what the assistants are for. At any rate how long can it take to consult- 20 seconds?
Just think....it was a horrible way to be knocled out....with the injustice of it all....will hiddink think to himself, I must stay and avenge this torrid affair.
Will he rise up like the second coming, dressed in a robe and with thorns adorning his scalp. Will we bow down to the almighty Guus and watch as he turns mere water into wine!
All I can say, and this is as eloquently as I can put it....I Fucking hope so!
We had two great games and can be proud of our team. Although being a fan of Drogs I have to blame him. Defensively he did his share but he also had the two biggest chances to score over both legs. He failed to do so and that cost´s us. At this level of the game against such a team as Barca you need a striker who´s able to score on at least one of these occasions.
Of course I also blame the referee.
I feel sick... The Murphy's law struck at Chelsea again...
"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."
Last night was the first time I couldn't sleep after a football match - and that includes Moscow.
I could take the Moscow result as we were dispensed with in the bounds of fair play. Last night was so bad, I feel violated. Whilst the referee is indeed a great big unit of utter, utter shitness who deserves to be banned for life for his utter cuntery, we had the chances to win it ourselves as Guus so rightly pointed out (Anyone else loving him MORE with each game - it'll hurt when he's gone). How Michael Ballack didn't belt seven shades of shit out of him after the Eto'o handball is beyond me. I would have done.
Nick - I agree with your sentiments about Drogbas behaviour after the game, but I seem to be in a minority that thought he was average at best last night. That chance early on where JT won the ball and played him in and it hit his standing leg - I knew from then on which Drogba was playing. Falling over time and time again as the sniper in the Matthew Harding stand kept picking him off, losing the ball and generally not being able to finish for toffee - ban or no ban I actually hope it's the last game he plays for us in Europe. Yes, he's an asset when we need him back, but we'd have prospered more if we had someone who's a bit more 'honest' and wanted to stay on his feet (notwithstanding those occasions when he was fouled, like the penalty appeal).
I just feel a bit 'meh' this morning. A great performance will be ignored as the post-match behaviour is analysed. The players need to pick themselves up and concentrate on the FA Cup or our season will look all Arsenal.
I love a good conspiracy, but not sure I can buy into one that potentially is that obvious. While Platini is no doubt displaying a hard-on to be proud of now there's no all-English final, it's inconceivable to me it's rigged.
Cont'd...
Cont'd...
They say that what goes around comes around. After last nights bad karma, I'm going to single-handedly win the EuroMillions jackpot (£110M) tomorrow night, we'll win the FA Cup and I'll end up in a week-long threesome with Jennifer Love-Hewitt and Megan Fox.
@Joy : We been done in time and time again by poor decisions. Chelsea's players know it first hand but what were they doing as the game wore on. Where were Lamps, Dorgs, Anelka and Essien, out attackers. Why is the anger and outrage not converted into better more agressive football. They became anonymous in the final moments.
Barca deserve credit for persisting. Its easy to say they desrve no credit for continuing to attack but Chelsea seems to have sorely lacked this the entire season. Isn't it equally easy to say were our guys taking a piss when Barca went down a man.
We switched off and boom. Did the decisions cost us yes, but to say we lost squarely because of poor officiating isn't entirely accurate either.
All in all what really gets me is that history will remember this game for all the wrong reasons.
UEFA should first and foremost probe itself before probing Chelsea fc.These matches look so fixed,in particular those slated as favorites by the book makers.Absolutely embarassing to the "beautiful game"
This time round I think UEFA is fooling all football fans, this was way beyond pathetic officiating how can 5 clear penalties be let go.Its clear someone is pulling the strings behind the curtains, to make the most out of the finals,
Radical reforms need to be implemented
on soccers` governing body and UEFA. The stink is too much,some teams seem to have their names already inscribed in the trophies and history books prior to the actual games, it just a matter of technical appearance .Roman should just cut his losses and leave this is pure hogwash.
Reply to Fiftee:
I agree - draw with Arsenal at the weekend to secure third place then concentrate fully on the FA Cup Final. After last night's travesty, I don't think there's any chance we'll throw that away now.
At least then we will surely have had a more productive season than Arsenal, and Liverpool, at least in the short term. I have the worrying suspicion that Liverpool will be even stronger next season next season, and without Guus we will have to start all over again. The man is a legend and there needs to be some arrangement in order to allow him to stay, as he is quite simply the best man for the job at the moment. It's not like Russia's international qualifiers actually clash with our games, is it?
Well, just when you think Chelsea have come up with each and every exciting way to possibly lose a football match, they throw a new one at you.
What to say? We were great last night but also - on one level - only have ourselves to blame for failing to take three or four excellent chances. We played a textbook game - score early then let them have lots of the ball, fail to do anything with it, and hit them on the break.
Good luck to Barca, they showed spirit and had a massive slice of luck and I wish them well in the final, However, on those two performances I think United will be delighted with who they have to face in the final. United are almost as good as us defensively and much better in attack and will take Barca to the cleaners. I mean, Messi is the best player in the world but over two legs who was comprehensively out-performed by Malouda! Just imagine what Ronaldo will do to them!
Some great, balanced, emotional comments on here by the way, and excellent review.
As for the ref, well what we witnessed was final evidence that while pressurising a ref during a game will never work, pressurising one before a game will never fail.
After Barca's week-long whinge the ref was crapping himself. So when we get a couple of good but not nailed-on penalties, he bottles it, terrified of the Barca reaction.
At half time, he learns he's screwed up. So he tries to compensate with a soft red for Abidal. But after the Barca reaction, he realises that he might have screwed up again and is again mindful of the Barca reaction after the first game.
So he bottles the Pique decision, the most blatant penalty never to be awarded in a Champions League semi-final.
Given all that, he was never going to risk giving the Eto'o decision in the 95th minute, even if punching the ball in the area is considered a penalty in most countries.
I wish Ballack had chinned him.
Gutted even 12 ours on. I was watching in my University pub and when Iniesta's goal went in tears spilled out, much to the glee of everyone else in the room.
We should have won this match. It should be us in Rome on the 27th.
That's all I can say without cursing.
PeteW,
I've proof read #39 for you. And changed :
"So he bottles the Pique decision, the most blatant penalty never to be awarded in a Champions League semi-final. "
To:
"So he bottles the Pique decision, the most blatant penalty never to be awarded."
Hope that's o.k ;-)
If the FA does not want us to win, they could let us know. How about Mike Dean or Halsley for the FA Cup.
Let's be honest, penalties.... it's a footballing term that shouldn't be used in the same sentence as Chelsea Footbal Club. It's not just last night, but it's been over the course of the season, we just don't get them at the moment.
So it's a load of "Bollocks" when people say these decisions even out.
Let Moyes pick the ref.
Better still let Moyes ref it himself, couldn't be any worse.
it was half past two at night when the match got over in my part of the world and haven t slept a wink since.
drogba should have scored atleast once last night.the thing for me is that i think some these guys barely have another year left in them,a defeat like this even when compared to last years final takes a lot out of you(atleast the final was fair) and with hiddink going i fear we will be back to the big phil days.
absolutely gutted about yesterday,got a cup final to look forward to,but the real challenge for us now would be the summer transfers.any ideas on that front?
I loved what Drogba did. Please. Let us not turn into some righteous arseholes - we know why he did it. I am behind him, fully.
I counted 5 penalties. Perhaps I was watching a different match y'day.
I wont be surprised to find out that the referee's whole family was kept ransom by Platini until he gifted this match to Barca. Incompetence is one or two decisions, not five decisions going against one team. (Red card does not make it up, no it does not).
I wish I would never say this again, but if for any natural/unnatural reasons, if this Barca team does not make it in Rome, it was would be half justice done.
I am not watching football for a while, that's for sure. Fuck UEFA, Fuck Platini and of all, FUCK OVERBO.
After Ballack attempting to piggyback the ref and Drogba's disgusting post-match display, we have Bosingwa saying:"The referee was bought...".
Wow, what a collection!!
Hope Chelsea doesn't get kicked in the teeth by UEFA Officials also...
(No, I'm not a Barca fan - I just respect the game & it's players)
Reply to Benny:
Well done you!
Is anyone else having the problem where you can't fault Barca, and Iniesta played his heart out and you want to wish them well... but can't find it in your heart to because you want to see them crushed by United. This being followed by the realization that you actually want United to win?
And I just cannot find it in my heart to sympathize with Drogba. I just don't see how he can call anything a disgrace with the way he rolls around and you can't blame the ref Drogba when you blow chance after chance after chance after chance. If we need to give the team a facelift lets start with our primadonna striker.
Last time it took United, the woodwork twice in regular and once in penalties to stop us.
This time it took over-hyped Barca, the ref's and Uefa to stop us.
Robbed 4 times last night and here they are, back to training. We'll come back harder next season Mr.Platini. Then even your hussy ref's can't stop us.
1. in first half ballack vs messi in chelsea area. ballack tries to get ballf rom messi like a spastic trying to avoid a big challenge and in his panic touches ball with hand. is that a penalty? no you sh*theads. first he didnt meant it and secondly it was ball to hand JUST LIKE PIQUE'S handball. no intention. no penalty
2. drogba vs yaya. both are fighting to get position and both are using hands. football is a man;s sport. they are both committing a foul, therefore you cant punish either, you allow the lads to struggle each other and whoever gets violent (pushes or kicks out deliberately) then yes uits a foul or penalty. yaya and drog fight for the ball (noone has posession) droga gets in front and yaya tackles on the ball. NO PENALTY.
3. abidal vs drogba.......abidal touches drogba;s jersey ..drogba continues his steps indicating that there was no pull and as soon as he sees he cant get the ball drops down.....FIRST YELLOW FOR HIM...not given
4. abidal chases anelka and anelka trips on his own and abidal is sent off. THAT WAS ONE OF THE REAL DISGRACES.
5. hiddink takes out the italian bible of catenacio and plays by the book. never have i seen such a coward performance form players and a manager of this callibre and wages.........THE SECOND DISGRACE. thank god football triumphed. barcelona was wrongly with 10 and kept attacking you, while you with 11 players take out a striker to field another defender beletti......DISGRACE No.3
6. iniesta scores a well deserved goal. a goal which is a triumph for good attackling football and a goal which sends europes top team to the final. JUSTICE SERVED. football won and catenacio lost. just like it should be.
7. eto;o turns his back with an extended arm...........ball hits his arm but he should never leave his arm extended, it was on purpose and it was a penalty, but considering that abidal was wrongly sent off, yo have no case 1-1 the mistakes and sh*t up. justice served.
8. you have compalints fromt he ref mr guus? what should pep say when he has asked for substitutions and the referee isnt paying attention. he went for subs right after iniesta's goal and the ref did not let him sub his players until after the corner which lead to ballack shot on eto;os arm 3 mins later........so sh*t the f*ck up.
9. pep guardiolais a catalan kid playing catalan players. players who have carried him so far scoring about 150 goals this season. did you silly journalists with your wtupid critisism know better than him about substitutions? there was no way pep would take out one of his own kids to play gudjonhsen or any other. he would fall with them! and he triumphed. and hidding will have nightmares about barcelona again. and remember that pep was playing without puyol, his captain, marques one of barca's pillars the last years, without henry and without milito. he played valencia away, chelsea home, real away and chelsea away again with nearly half his squad! bravo to football!!!!!
10. watching drogba THE REAL DISGRACE acting like a division 4 footballer was just sublime. this man dropped about 3 times with no foul done on him just to create doubts in ref;s mind about soem calls which resulted in the ref mistakenly sending off abidal. THAT WHO YOU ARE CHELSEA, a sick toy of a millionaire who wants to enter the big stage with money and catennacio. sorry but the football gods decided to favour the team that plays football as it should be played, and the ambassadors of cynical scope play got right what they deserved. F*CK YOU DROGBA WITH YOU R PLAY ACTING, F*CK YOU HIDDINK WITH YOUR CATENACIO, F*CK YOU ROMAN WITH YOUR MERCENARIES.
BARCA!!!!!!!!!!!! MASQUEUNCLUB!!!!!!!!!!
Scott - in a word. No.
Want Barca to win. It's a two-fold thing.
Firstly, because I'm ABM (Anyone But ManUSA).
Secondly, because you'd much rather lose to the eventual winners than the eventual runners up, wouldn't you?
Chelsea had been cheating to win two titles in the past. Last night is just the pay back time.I really enjoy watching all the reactions of the the cheaters on and off the pitch. Drogba is a cheat and famous for diving. Chelsea's players love to dive. Now the referee did not give you cheaters any penalty and get piss off? HA!HA!HA!. You cheaters really miss Styles who gave so many penalty to win the title. Drogba is a disgrace,Roman is a disgrace,Chelsea is a fucking disgrace and their fans are absolutly disgrace. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Some astoundingly eloquent comments from the Chelsea haters there. Bright lads, well done.
Specially like the Barca fan who having spent the last week moaning about Chelsea being too physical has now decided it's 'a man's sport' after all. A credit to hypocrisy.
Am struggling with same conundrum as Scott. I want United to lose, but it would be travesty for Barca to win the final after that shocking performance over two legs (was Messi actually on the pitch? And we only saw Eto'o when he handled the ball in the 95th minute) and their carefully orchestrated campaign to bully the ref in between games. Xavi and Iniesta were superb, but the rest were sub-top four.
Afternoon all,
Never a dull moment, I suppose.
Might pen a few thoughts on the last 24 hours in a while, but United all the way for me in the final; by far and away the better side and I hope they batter them. Frankly, for all their pretensions and 'more than a football club' posturing, they are simply the Spanish Scouse and deserve nothing but contempt.
Billy and Benny sound like they're subnormal comedy act.
And Barca as much as you support your team your 10 points are comedic, if your boys play like that against Utd you'll get beat, in exactly the same way they beat you last year.
You'll not see this mentioned in the mainstream media today as it portrays the club, and JT, in - shock horror - a good light : LINK
And, to quote Guardiola :
'I want to thank John Terry for coming into the dressing room and congratulating us' said the Spaniard. 'He's a true gentleman'.
No doubt that'll piss on a few haters bonfires.
Am loving how the injustice last night is now pay back for 101 things that have happened in the past. Especially 'billy' [no mates?] with the classic "Chelsea had been cheating to win two titles in the past".
Yeah, we managed to cheat our way through a whole 76 games to win two titles. You dullard.
Not sure quite when that sinking feeling started.
Towards the end of the first half when we surrendered way too much possession I got the early feeling of things to come.
But we started the second half brightly enough and looked like we could hold on even if we didn't get the goal that would all but seal our progress.
Then it happened, a whistle. What for, did Nic dive? This ref would surely do something nasty if that was the case. A red card! Oh no, but no, it wasn't for us, it was for them. Shit. Take it back, we don't want it, we don't need it, keep your stupid card.
Too late. Their guy walked and that sinking feeling began in earnest.
This was Arse 2002 all over again.
We're coasting at 1-0 and they go down to 10 and we switch off. We think it's all over, but it ain't and they're going to equalize, and they do.
There may only be a couple left from that team but it felt the same, and it was.
The worst thing, apart from the result, is that we did the hardest part. Not getting through 90mins with our goal intact, but in exposing barc for what they are: a decent, hard working team who are not quite in the same class as the very best in Europe.
That's not a criticism, but simply a reflection of the quality of the Spanish league in general.
It's interesting that they like to be compared with Arse, because that's about their level and in the PL they'd be fighting each other for fourth place most seasons.
Anyway, with the fear factor gone, it's really difficult to see manu not disposing of them rather easily in Rome. I hope not and maybe we will see a great final (I'm sure we will all watch it btw). At least they showed plenty of resilience which they will need.
Another thing: penalties are not goals and in the high pressure of a CL semi they're easily missed and the effect of that can be very demoralising so I don't accept that we were robbed by the ref.
We needed to score a second and Drogs should've been replaced like for like.
Just seen your comment JD; and I'm actually coming round to that way of thinking, as much as it might leave a bitter taste in mouth if Utd win.
LINK
The pictures in this article depict the penalty moments. take a look on ref's position!!! Now tell me it was not deliberate!!!!!
Another thing: penalties are not goals and in the high pressure of a CL semi they're easily missed and the effect of that can be very demoralising so I don't accept that we were robbed by the ref.
@FSTS
I agree with you there, but if we'had been awarded all 4 surely by the law of averages we'd score at least two from them.
LINK
The pictures in this article depict the penalty moments. take a look on ref's position!!! Now tell me it was not deliberate!!!!!
'Frankly, for all their pretensions and 'more than a football club' posturing, they are simply the Spanish Scouse and deserve nothing but contempt.'
Yes and no. They do try and play football and there's undeniably a romance to their peoples' club history, but yes, also an insufferable arrogance and sense of entitlement from their supporters and some players.
I am still astonished at how average they were. I thought they were going to play as off the park, teach us a lesson about football etc when all they did was pass it to death, punch the ball in the area and carve it less opportunities than we did in the Nou Camp when we didn't even bother leaving the area.
Not sure also where all this United- Barca will be a great final stuff comes from. Last year's semis were dreadful and United have only been involved in one decent CL game (last year's final) in the past two years.
Lampard's record from the penalty spot is pretty much faultless.
Yes Lamps and Ballack could have taken 2 each thus ensuring all four.
Also on the plus side if Utd win, it would wind up those Scousers no end. Equalling their 19 English Titles is bad enough, but to get that much closer to their 5 European Cups, would be too much for them.
Reply to Clive:
My point is that when one is awarded and not converted, then the following situations don't necessarily happen.
The team who miss tend to get a 'world's against us' downer while the team who escape get a really big lift.
Then there's the ref's tendency to award at the other end to even things up and so it goes.
We needed a second goal or to defend the one we had, and that's all there is to it.
The things now are getting back in the saddle for Sunday and wtf the effect will be on our summer replacement for Guus, plus who gets transferred in/out out.
Not getting to the final will make signing the best players more difficult although the FA Cup and securing third spot will help, so let's just get on and do those two jobs.
BTW. If I sound philosophical, it's because I've now had a few hours to get over my psychological and physical hang over.
What a crappy night.
That was awful. The worst performence from a referee ever. If he didnt go into that game with the intention of giving favouralbe decisions to Barca then Im a dutchman. And if that is the case then I hope that french twat Platini is happy, He succeeded in making the champions league a complete and utter farce.
That was awful. The worst performence from a referee ever. If he didnt go into that game with the intention of giving favouralbe decisions to Barca then Im a dutchman. And if that is the case then I hope that french twat Platini is happy, He succeeded in making the champions league a complete and utter farce.
'We needed a second goal or to defend the one we had, and that's all there is to it.'
Yes and no. When the opposition are allowed to handle the ball in the area or bring your attacking players down on goal carte blanche, it kinda limits your chances of getting that second goal because these are clear goalscoring chances that are being denied.
Yes the art of defending is winning the ball cleanly and not fouling attacking players. Barca did that on a few occassions quite brilliantly.
I just wonder had Ballacks shot not hit Eto's arm would it have gone in. It was hit so hard and sweetly, I think Valdes wouldn't have had time to react.
Ho hum, just another normal day for a Chelsea fan. No one can beat us for drama, that's for sure.
I think Barcelona & their fans are upset because they've been found out. As much as I wanted to be impressed with them, I was much more impressed with Man U against Arsenal.
Barcelona, for all their talk of beautiful football, are exactly what KaiserJonny categorised them as.
For the 167% possession they had and all the intricate passing patterns going nowhere, they had one, (1), ONE shot on goal.
It was an absolute fucking disgrace. That ref was at the very least chosen for his incompetence.
I shall be watching the final with a little change of plans - I was going to support Barcelona but after reading some of the papers' sanctimonious articles and some of the insane, inane and completely warped comments from the culos (culo being Spanish for arse), I am hoping Man U grind them into a fine powder but I would also be pleased with a 1-0.
Great comments Chelsea bloggers - I can't add anything. Its too upsetting.
What do we think this means for Hiddink?
Will he stay? Should he stay?
Reply to PeteW:
I know that's right, but it just doesn't help.
My need now is to be positive and look to the future.
Thinking about what went on is too much of a wind-up right now plus, we didn't expect good officiating from the ref so we should've got on and done the job ourselves.
I guess you're saying that their dirty deeds prevented us from doing just that, which I can't really argue against.
But with 10 men left to beat, we still should've done better.
@Dezmond
On what we saw last night for the so called footballing gods, I just might put a little wager on Utd.
You're right they've been found out, the only things that could cause Utd's downfall in the final would be complaceny, or another incompetent referee.
Hi everyone read your blog all the time and think it's great, very entertaining! . Being a Chelsea fan myself and living up north Just thought I would share with you the fact that there are a lot of ManU supporters wearing very smug grins today and why? because they all admit they think Barca will be easier to beat than we would have been!
Reply to Pauli:
Yes, that's SurAlF for you.
Not only does he get a by in the previous round (which they nearly screwed up) and the softest selection in this, but then his most challenging opponents get conveniently removed from the final.
That's why most managers will take luck over judgement every time.
@Clive,
Looked for that particular article, couldn't find it, it was probably on football365, will definitely post that once i find it.
here is one Bolton's manager commenting about Drog's behaviour...Come on..BOLTON?!!!Megson???
LINK
Its a good way to get some free attention, slam the people who are passionate about their club!
Either acknowledge that the emotions were high & it is NORMAL to behave in such a manner, to loose your composure in situations like this, like Guus said, Drogs didn't get physical, then he wouldn't support Drogs.
Was watching Ten Sport here in India & the commentary was so blatantly one sided, there was no concept of 'neutral' commentary, I remember clearly one of the 'expert' said "Fletcher's behaviour was of dignified composure' made my stomach turn. Why in the world would think a Chelsea Vs Manure game wouldn't bring in as much moolah as a Barca Vs.Manure final?? Its all about the money, isnt it? Platini and his gang of conspirators just loathe English clubs, but cant handle Rednose's guts & they know he can be quite outspoken, so they stayed away from Manure, but really Roman(or his money)has no influence on these bunch of jokers?!!! that really beats me.
Would love to see Barca win with their beautiful(?) game and beat the crap out of Manure, like someone said earlier, its better we lost to the eventual winner, but again we never lost to Barca did we? 184 mins and one goal..ONE :)
Looking to the future, can the Russian do something to make our super classy Guus to stay? We should name Guus 'The Classy One'.
Drogs will be let go, so would Ballack :( Anelka will be let go..so much nostalgia
Life is Brutal..& being a Chelsea fan, we learn it every season(esp in Champions league).
PS:Anyone knows any tips here, how to stop this 'If only Essien could have poked away the ball a little harder' thought that keeps coming back every 2-3 minutes?its killing me!!
@Clive,
LINK
Parker..Paul Parker? who's he? Some kind of God for 'correct/perfect' parenting?(Good parents shouldn't really let their kids watch a game so late anyways !!) but I would understand if they threw a 'tantrum' if someone meted out such treatment towards them, else I would take them for a really long walk and tell them to err..grow some balls!! well maybe not, I would just tell them that it is ALRIGHT to feel the way they are at the moment,and that I understand. Period, yes..maybe..could be handled better..but again... the kid may start arguing/pointing out 'the ref could have' :)..smart kids these days..very vocal about their feelings.
This Paul Parker... is he some kind of Branding guru, to teach Kenyon how to build a club!!! Really!! what a shame!!! its appalling!! makes me wanna vommit.
To be fair, given the nature of his sporadic appearances for us, was it in the 1997 season, he is well qualified to talk about "disgrace". He normally covers Blue Square Premier games for Setanta how come he's posted this? Perhaps the proper writer is off with swine flu or something.
@ Blue_shy. Just repeat the following
Next year
Another chance
Next year
Drogba goes away
Next year
Joe Cole
Next year
Malouda 2.0
and keep filling in the blanks. Of course, I haven't slept since the match and I am cycling in and out of gallows humor, despair, rage, and blissful 5-15 minute stretches where I don't think about it.
Of course now that I typed this out I just realized.
Next year
No Guus
Next year
Older squad
Cycling into depression with a touch of gallows humor.
Personally I'm a fully paid up member of the cock-up theory of history rather than the conspiracy one - but nights like yesterday don't half feed the paranoia.
When I got home from the game and heard Jamie Redknapp doing wonders for Sky subs cancellations in Scandinavia, dissing the ref's experience in Norway I thought I ought to check out just how much top class experience the referee actually had. This was what I found:
LINK
Seems to me he has a persistent record of littering his games with yellow cards - anything upto 8 per game in a career going back to 2001-02. Anyone up for a Mancs' plot to ensure whoever they faced in the final had lots of players out with suspensions ;-)
Seriously - I thought we gave a terrific defensive display and were simply undone by our inability to get the cushion of a 2nd goal.
I thought Guus was a very classy model of restraint speaking so soon after the final whistle - and at least we don't have to try to balance resources over 2 Cup Finals in 4 days now.
Don't think I can face supporting ManUre in the final though.
Reply to Scott:
Humour, let me look that word up, I seem to have forgotten it's meaning...
@fansincethesixties I too recall the shallow feelling when Abidal was carded, what the hell is that giong to achieve. More dismal was the free kick that followed.
Lol most fans must now be under the influence of this horrid though cycle - Barca is going to be torn apart by ManU, they don't deserve to win the CL. Wait ManU are the asses who spoke of quintuples, screw that. Wait, the ref was a sham, screw Platini after all its not our fault France has won the damn CL only once, and he hates english football. So win for ManU means EPL is the best league in the world. Waits its fucking ManU. etc. etc... :)
Come summer I wonder if Chelsea are going to sell Anelka, Drogs, Ballack(though I want him to stay after recent performances), Essien/Terry/Lamps, J. Cole are goiing to be on the auction block.
Reply to Pauli:
So true - everybody saying this is a dream final for the neutral. Since when were Michel Platini and Alex Ferguson neutrals?
Most of us were pretty sure before the game that they were going to score at least once, so it would come down to how many we could get. But it does make it galling that they had to score in the 93rd minute, and after giving absolutely no sign up till that point that they had any hope of getting through us ...
And of course if you're allowed to foul opposition players in your own penalty box, or push attacking crosses away with your hand, that does make it easier to keep the oppo's goal tally down.
It's a bit depressing that everyone's keeping up with the "football vs anti-football" nonsense. Yes, they keep the ball beautifully and pass it around in the middle of the field a lot, but surely last night's game demonstrated that there's a bit more to it than that? Oh well -- it *is* now the final that more or less everyone else wanted, and you can sort of understand why, so we should let them have their fun.
I'm more worried about the long-term effects. This'll have to make certain players start to feel like the competition is cursed. Another argument for the major freshening-up this summer, perhaps.
Anyone else a bit surprised by the anti-Drogba comments coming from our own side? I thought he had a magnificent game. More or less every time we attacked (admittedly not often) we looked like scoring.
AVRAM's ARSE!
seriously though, feel bad for you guys
Reply to limetreebower:
"Anyone else a bit surprised by the anti-Drogba comments coming from our own side? I thought he had a magnificent game. More or less every time we attacked (admittedly not often) we looked like scoring."
I thought that everyone in blue had a good game. Not all of the yellows did and I can't care or remember what the officials wore, they were rubbish.
The only one on our side who might come in for some critical hindsight has to be Guus.
Both for not really committing to an away goal -and we now know that they weren't to be feared that much - and for bringing a defender on when they were down to 10 men.
I know that Beletti's scored in the past, but he wasn't brought on with that in mind and we just invited them into our box.
I agree with the report - we didn't take our chances ( what Drogba missed and Anelka... horrible)
And then...3 PENALTIES DENIED AT LEAST. First one, Pique's hand, Yaya Toure's hand and foul on Anelka...
When they were one player down, we were suppossed to keep the ball in our possession...
I knew that they are going to score in the stoppage time. I just realised that they are pressuring and that we will fail...
But ...
When I stopped expecting,and relaxed it was ...1:1 .
We are probably the most unluckiest club in the universe ...
Champions league final was nothing comparing to this.I am more irritated, sad and dissappointed than then.
Malouda played good. Unbelievable. Drogba missed EXACT THE SAME OPPORTUNITY LIKE IN THE LAST MATCH.
I don't know what else to say...Keep the blue flag flying high?
What a disgrace! A fucking disgrace, indeed. 4 pens not given! I've seen bad officiating before but this was just inexplicable - there is just one conclusion from it, to be honest. Platini & UEFA robbed us - they are the true "enemies of football".
I have to disagree with you over Drogs' reaction, mate. I think it was perfectly logical and we should ban refs & kick out Platini, rather than criticising footballers who gave their all in order to play in a Final. It is of no surprise that the two players who were most animated after the game were JT & Drogs, considering the circumstances over the European Cup Final last year in Russia and they performed brilliantly throughout the knockout phases because of their determination to make it right this year.
We were robbed, it's as simple as - and deliberately so, as it is clear to see Platini's frustration and hatred at English football and his love of the so-called "beautiful game": 1 shot on goal in 90+ mins and winning because of the ref, plus diving and scoring goals with hand? Doesn't sound too "beautiful" to me...It is an absolute shambles, as JT said, and a terrible injustice to this football club after a brilliant display in both Legs. I hope the Barcelona dwarfs and the Spanish, Argies & Catalan ETA terrorists get thrashed in the Final. The ghost goal v Red Scousers, then the dive by that Argie scum (best player in the world?! Yeah right!) to send off our LB Del Horno , losing the Final by pens and now this - four clear-cut pens not given - well, lets just say we're not "getting some our way" in the European Cup! Gutted at the core. Hope the lads can recover from this quickly and we win the Cup Final for Guus, at least. He's been absolutely brilliant and is without a doubt one of the best tactical managers in the game.
KTBFFH!
That was awful. The worst performence from a referee ever. If he didnt go into that game with the intention of giving favouralbe decisions to Barca then Im a dutchman. And if that is the case then I hope that french twat Platini is happy, He succeeded in making the champions league a complete and utter farce.
I've had enough of these tragedies so it's romantic comedies from now on.
Now where did I put my Music & Lyrics DVD?
Hold the front page.
In an agreement made today between myself and the good Kaiser_Jonny this weeks Chelsea Times (formerly the Chelsea Weekly Times)will appear sometime tomorrow but will now be a Champions League Special. The great KJ_II can then have a couple of days to unscramble his brain before plunging the sword of common sense into the bubble of pomposity and piousness seen across many different media outlets today.
I reckon he might have a word or two to say on UEFA and the game as well.
It's human to want to make sense of seemingly nonsensical events, particularly when fate seems to have torn away a destiny you patently deserved. But honestly, I can't see anything in the various narratives that have emerged after the game that stands up to scrutiny. The conspiracy theory is just daft. You'd have to explain the part a Barca red card played in that, and the idea it was a smokescreen - the reason offered by many voices on certain other sites - is too convoluted for even David Icke fans, surely. The narrative about our failure to take our chances is the only one I have sympathy with, but then even that one assumes a failure on the part of our players that I can't agree with. They were all magnificent. They fought for everything and had to keep several tactical principles in play at all times. Often these are contradictory, with attackers and creative midfielders employed in defensive pressing duties at all times, having areas of the pitch to patrol etc etc...scoring in those circumstances isn't easy.
Like the Liverpool game. It really can't be explained. It happened. It's anarchic and gloriously unpredictable. We accused Barca players and fans of not acting right when they didn't get their way, then act the same way ourselves. I'm proud of the captain for going into the Barca dressing room after the game to congratulate the players and staff. He was applauded out of the room. That's the way to do it. This man might yet live to lift a world cup.
The players were completely justified in their reaction. In fact, im proud they reacted that way. Drogba did make mistakes, and he is paid to finish, but Tom Ovrebo is paid to make good calls, which he clearly didn't do. If somebody went into ovrebo's office and destroyed his life work he would probably be angry as well and thats exactly what he's done to ballack, a man who's spent his whole life chasing this moment. Didier is right, that was a fucking disgrace.
That was the first game i cried for.... just the look of pain on our players just killed me. Barca fans are fucking assholes, first they say we play shitty football, then they fume when we only let them shoot once. Its been a dead day for me. Drogba was right to be so angry, if you look closely at the video, you would've seen Hiddink pissed off too when he went away with Drogba. Mourinho would've slaughtered the ref.
Reply to PeteW:
Exactly.
Pretty easy to keep goals out when you have 3 goalkeepers. How the Malouda penalty wasn't given I'll never know. The Pique handball and that goal were the most obvious to me.
I can't tell with the Ballack "Handball". The commenter in the US seemed to think it came off of Messi instead.
After seeing what Man U can do to Arsenal the other day, I have no doubts that they will tear Barca apart. They can deal with the high pressure that Barca will use, and they have even more speed up front to go at the defenders. I think they'll be 2-0 up by halftime.
Ha. Foul on Malouda, not goal.
Alright. I take it back. Turns out the red card was perhaps a bit harsh, but not incorrect.
LINK
Abidal clips Anelka's foot, causing it to hit his other one, tripping himself. That's definitely a foul. If he's the last man, then it is a red. My feeling is yellow...
Didier Drogba. Pure passion in flip flops. Luv him!
The complaints about the referee of the semi-final match between Chelsea and Barcelona are outrageous. He had an outstanding match. The two ‘handballs’ were both unintentional, ball to hand. The Barcelona players did their best to keep their hands and arms out of the way. And the rules say that only intentional handballs should be punished by a penalty.
The claims for a penalty in the first half when a Chelsea player was blocked are typical for Chelsea. Why did he fall down ? What happened to his legs ? We have seen this more often in the past by Chelsea players (Robben, Drogba), specialised in diving. He saw he was inside the penalty area so he found the time right for falling over.
The only real mistake the referee made was the red card for the Barcelona defender Abidal. It wasn’t even a foul. He wasn’t looking at Anelka. If they touched at all it was because Anelka ran into the path of Abidal. Replays clearly show this. Now this Barcelona player may miss the final because of the referees mistake. Barcelona should protest. I hope UEFA will correct this injustice.
For Guus Hiddink: English football can keep him. He is an egocentric cry-baby. Hiddink critisised Rafa Benitez for his silly complaints about the referee after Liverpool got knocked out in the quarterfinals this year. Now he is doing it himself. Letting irrationality and ego get the upper hand, when he should shine the light of old age wisdom over the matter. Sore looser. And that after letting his team play negative boring defensive football for 2 matches in a row.
Good luck Barcelona in your deserved final in Rome.
Wim Smit,
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Reply to Wim Smit, Rotterdam, Netherlands:
Looks like you've been smoking too much of that famous weed over there. Fuck Off!
Reply to Neanderthal:
Howard Webb will be the ref for the FA cup, if am not mistaken!!!
Reply to kuhulai:
Is that Howard Henning Thor Webb or the other one?
Reply to Wim Smit, Rotterdam, Netherlands:
Can we regulate this blog?
Entertainment Desk
To take your mind off last night why not watch Channel 5. They've got one of those awful "freakshow" type documentaries where they pretend to care about someone with two heads and so on. Tonight they've got someone who was born 20 years ago without an anus or rectum.
They're going to show him having reconstructive surgery which involves a 10 hour operation to sew on a norwegian football referee (yes him) because in the absence of any donor material it's the nearest thing they can find to a complete arsehole...
Pass me my straitjacket nurse
Isn't there anything that could be done? I mean... Of course there isn't, but even in the allegedly bent and corrupt Russian League most referee scandals do have a certain outcome. Sometimes, rarely, even a re-match. There's an official body which regulates match officials and, well, if someone fucks up big time (which is an understatement) like yesterday, a punishment is carried out, despite all the constant allegations of fixed matches, bribes and so on. Maybe Chelsea can complain to someone (and Barca for the red card :))?..
Reply to Neanderthal:
Good for you - but DO NOT post email addresses up here which may or may not be for Tom whateverhisnameis; stupid thing to do - if you want to 'write' to the bloke, by all means do, but don't drag this blog into it.
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
Apologies! Fit of rage and bad hangover. Sorry about that.
From the desk of a shamefaced BB
After a day in which to think about it all and having read the considered comments of some wiser heads on here, it is time to apologise for my ill considered and intemperate rant at the fag end of the previous posting.
BBD puts his finger on it; history is generally always more cock up than conspiracy. As one always given to feeling the fates conspire I allowed myself to tip into paranoia. Add to that the fact I had drink taken and broke my habit of waiting a decent period before commentating by posting in the early hours of the morning and the result was a rather unsavoury accusation that the referee was “bent”. Apart from the comment being homophobic, I know nothing of his sexual orientation…….. Seriously folks I have besmirched the reputation of this fine bloggery.
He was just completely and utterly useless. Was he that bad in the QF when he had the Villareal v Arsenal game? Time to move on I suppose. We can’t change anything now. I hadn’t even thought about the referee until the moment of the Malouda incident, but after that his handling of the game just beggared belief.
As far as the tie went it was a fascinating two games. We drew twice, but the importance of the away goal was clearly demonstrated, as was the importance of taking your chances. Fair play to Barca they won it, it wasn’t their fault the ref was hopeless. Losing a game I can take.
Being lectured by an assortment of media, opposing fans and self appointed guardians of the moral heart of football is far more difficult to stomach. They can whinge about refs we can’t. Our players get heated we’re a disgrace, they can get around the ref and no-one says anything. If we don’t bay for blood, we’re passionless, plastic and the players just there for the money.
I could go on but you get my drift. Sadly Drogba’s outburst and Ballacks frustration enable UEFA and the media to deflect any criticism of the refereeing.
TBC
As thoughts turn to the summer reconstruction, I should relate that I happened to flip on ITV4 (I know, I know) this evening and found myself watching Werder Bremen vs Hamburg.
One of Bremen's strikers caught the eye. Absolutely tore up the Hamburgers, threw himself about like a manic and generally seemed the kind of direct-but-ball-playing centre-forward we could use.
Peruvian fellow he was, name of Pizarro.
What?
Oh.
(Oh and further to that channel 5 show -- if the Nordic anus has gone into hiding and can't be found, the doctors might want to go to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where there appears to be a spare bumhole on the loose.)
There were aspects of Barca’s game that are impressive outside of obvious ability on the ball, quick feet and slick passing. They press very well and very quickly and are also quite adept at getting a foot in and coming away with the ball. That was perhaps more noticeable in the Nou Camp than last night.
This pressing high up the pitch is an attacking ploy but is also the way they choose to defend. If they lose the ball they immediately start to press high up the pitch. The danger is that if the other team work the ball quickly you’re left exposed, albeit that the opponent has to cover more ground to get to your goal. So good are Barca that this doesn’t happen too often, but as shown last night you do give up chances. Perhaps their high foul count ratio given they had 70% of the ball, (18 and throw in a couple of pens not given and it’s about the same as ours at the Nou Camp), using the Patrick Barclay method might indicate that they covered their vulnerability by ensuring the breaks didn’t develop too often. (See what arrant nonsense you can cook up if you try?)
Now thinking about this, if a team tries to stifle the opposition high up the pitch and do it well, then they are denying the other team the chance to play. The majority of teams opt to funnel back on losing the ball, sit deeper and start their pressing closer to the half way line. This generally allows the opposition time on the ball but is intended to stifle them once they get up pitch. Failure to get it right gives them chances close to your goal opportunities to cross, corners etc.
Two sides of the same coin. Two approaches to defending. Whichever approach you take, if both teams do it well then you will not have hatfuls of chances.
TBC (nearly finished)
As thoughts turn to the summer reconstruction, I should relate that I happened to flip on ITV4 (I know, I know) this evening and found myself watching Werder Bremen vs Hamburg.
One of Bremen's strikers caught the eye. Absolutely tore up the Hamburgers, threw himself about like a manic and generally seemed the kind of direct-but-ball-playing centre-forward we could use.
Peruvian fellow he was, name of Pizarro.
What?
Oh.
(Oh and further to that channel 5 show -- if the Nordic anus has gone into hiding and can't be found, the doctors might want to go to Rotterdam, Netherlands, where there appears to be a spare bumhole on the loose.)
The emphasis is all on Barca as an attacking force, but part of their setup is to stifle the opposition as soon as they get the ball. If we had taken the same approach and been as good at it then surely a similar stalemate occurs, where the game yields few clear chances?
It’s not about a moral good or bad, it’s a sporting contest. Stay within the rules (well within reason) and what you do is morally neutral.
Barca score lots of goals because by getting the ball back high up the pitch, usually when the other team is committing players, they are closer to the goal and can exploit the space. By a mixture of committing fewer players, dumping the ball back to them if the fast break isn’t on or the press is too hot, so as to start a process whereby you try again to get the ball back at a time of maximum opportunity is a legitimate way to play.
To take a boxing analogy, some take the centre of the ring and keep on coming, others choose to move around the ring waiting for the chance.
Last night Barca got one on target in 90 odd minutes of football. They had a few more in the Nou Camp but not too many. We actually created more chances on half the possession. The key to Barca’s defence was actually their mid field and forwards. If they got a couple of really good centre backs along with Marquez it would allow them to vary their game more. Even with their first choice backline you feel that Guardiola prefers to keep the opposition off them.
Instead of seeing this tie as some sort of good versus evil crusade Barca fans should hope that Guardiola takes on board the lessons of what happens when you come up against a team who can defend as well or better than his team, and work out some strategies. It won’t happen that often, but it will make them an even better outfit next time they come up against that problem.
I’d rather Barca than Manure, but unless they vary their game they will hit the same wall they did in the semi last year. Hopefully the game will get a decent referee. If it’s a feast of end to end attacking football with loads of chances and gaols, then that will mean Barca’s high press will not be working and Manure’s defence is having another Liverpool moment. We shall see.
Me, I’ll be in Dorset with my head up a cows arse where the smell will be a lot better than last night.
Reply to limetreebower:
Will JD be firing up the Thomas Schaapf for manager bandwagon? They haven't done too well in the league, I look forward to enlightenment.
Well we face another day of the bilgefest that is the sports media tomorrow I'll bid good night to all.
Its been a day since the match. Still fuckin haunting me. The worst i feared is happened.
Have seen few comments from Barca fans who refuse to accept the cheating done on us at the bridge yesterday. For them we say we will not Forget"". We will hunt you down, maybe next year.
It is a disgrace to football. The good game has been spoiled by few dickheads in UEFA and Barca.
Its more bitter than Moscow. We will never forget and you will have to pay for this...BARCA""
Reply to BlueBayou:
Evening BB
Pleased for Bremen - don't think they'll beat Shaktar in the final though. Bad season for them in general; not been following to any great extent but their away form in the league has been truly dreadful. Pizarro has been a key player - without him and Diego (who looks to be off to play for Claudio next season), things would be a lot worse. First time they'll have missed out on the CL for a few years - Schaaf has been there for life and there's no suggestion they'll turf him out just yet.
Wonder if we'll bring Pizarro back next season and bugger his career completely...?! :-)
Watched it again last night..... Not quite sure why, but perhaps it was to ensure that it really did happen.
Nothing I saw changed my mind about the 2 probable penalties (Malouda and Pique handball) and the 2 possible penalties (Drogba in 1st half and Eto'o handball).
I agree that the cause was incompetence rather than conspiracy... I think the ref was under instructions to let the game flow, but by the time the fourth penalty shout wasn't given, he should have recognised that he was going to be critisised.
Anyway, time to move on.....We have a big game against Arsenal on Sunday, which may determine whether we finish 3rd or 4th and the result will make a big difference as to whether we are able to rest players over the next 3 weeks.
Reply to Mark25:
LINK
Reply to Wim Smit, Rotterdam, Netherlands:
you sound like a typical ManU/Barca fan finding hard to accept the fact that Chelsea has been cheated.
It is a disgrace to football. The good game has been spoiled by few dickheads in UEFA and Barca.
Shame on You!
This game has me feeling more bipolar than ever.
On one hand I hate the ref for not calling the penalties. The eto'o was debatable, as was the malouda, and I've seen those waved away before. But nothing excuses Pique's handball. NOTHING.
On the other I'm cursing at Drogba for not taking his chances. MULTIPLE chances one on one with the keeper, only to blast it at him. In both legs. Im sorry but those are the chances Anelka relishes and the flopping and obscenities are hard to appreciate when you can't get your job done.
On one hand, I want to tape Guus down in a basement somewhere until next season starts to make sure he finishes what he started. On the other hand I want to smack him upside the head for not pushing more for the second goal. Or making some god damn substitions! Belletti for Drogba? Even if Drogs is hurt bring on who wont just take up space out on the wing somewhere.
On one hand I want to hand it to Barca, due to their sparkling form all season. On the other hand, I want to take a beautiful football and shove it up their ass. Maybe the EPL is evil as Platini seems to think, but if all of Spain can't play defense I have a hard time calling Barca the best team in the world. Am I really going to find myself supporting United? The bipolarity continues...
Finally, I look forward feeling confident that our squad can suit up next season, hopefully with a few key new signings, and make another march towards the Holy Grail with really big ears. And conversely, I wonder how much longer can this aging squad continue to grind out another grueling campaign competing on all fronts.
It's feeling quite heavy right now, but KTBFFH.
As usual, I was 'oooop North' watching this game in a truckstop although just for a change, I wasn't the only CFC fan there. I wanted to cry when that goal went in but jumped up instead and glared around as all the other twats cheered.
I am still in a state of shock and even wore a black teeshirt yesterday. Gutted, totally gutted.
BUT, reading the Daily Mail yesterday and today, it seems that apart from the uproar over Drogs and Ballack, they seemed to be on our side for once. Did anyone see the piece where it states that the UEFA officals were acutely embarassed after the game when coming face to face with the CFC hierarchy???
One small thing that has had me wondering???? Will this dabacle make Guus think again and remain as manager?? If he had got us to the final and won it for us, he would have left with his head held high and in our hearts forever. I am holding the smallest hope that he says to Roman ' I want another go at this competition' and stays next season and lets face it, we could do a lot worse than have Guus for manager next year.
A few more thoughts..
Had this been New Leeds that had beaten us in a similar manner, would the press be as supportive to the Chelsea side? Or would we be reading about the determination of Gerrard on yet another famous night at Anfield. (I know it was at the bridge, but you get my point).
Also, while I don't really believe UEFA is really out to get us, or english sides, does anyone remember the disallowed goal against Juventus? You know the one, where Buffon squeezed the ball out of his net? If we had not scored just minutes later, that could have been another huge call gone against us in the champions league. I hate conspiracy theories, but when theres this much evidence, you almost begin to entertain the thought that the world is out to get CFC. or maybe its just helping me cope. who knows.
Reply to WarrierAsh:
What did I do ? Everyone is against Chelsea FC ?
How dare you to suggest that I feel sympathy for ManU. Just like your club they bought their way to the top. (Well, for you almost.) Chelsea FC are now a strong side just because some bored rich Russian guy was looking for a new hobby to boost his ego. He rolled his dice and Chelsea FC came on top. It could have been any club. Roman, self-pity can be a warm and soothing feeling but get over it. ( Can I now expect a visit from the Russian mafia like that Norwegian referee might? )
You are right that I feel sympathy for Barcelona FC. Could it be because of the more positive attitude to the game ? No diving. No vicious tackles or other acts of intimidation. Who needs that to be successful ? A new sport maybe an idea. ‘Anything aloud except intentional hands, diving and murder.’ Hands and diving mean a yellow card, murder a red one. If Chelsea FC could cut out the diving you might have a chance of winning something.
But I must say that Barca didn’t play it very smart in both matches and made it too difficult for themselves. Too many high balls in front of the Chelsea goal. Many bad crosses, and the good ones too easy to defend by Check, Terry and Alex. Obvious from the start that that was not the way to beat Chelsea.
Guardiola and his boys should improve their game plan for the final. I hate the thought of ManU winning the final. Van der Sar is just as self-centred as Guus Hiddink. They think their special. vdSar is just lucky to have big hands at the end of long arms. And Hiddink makes too many mistakes like bringing on Beletti and not Kalou. His fear was punished.
Hiddinks only international success was with PSV Eindhoven in 1988. They won the European Champions cup by having 5 draws in a row. The ¼ final against Real Madrid and the ½ final against Bordeaux. Won both on 1 away goal. At home both 0-0. In the final 0-0 against Benfica, even after extra time.
English football must be in a terrible state that to you Hiddink looks like ‘a guarantee for success’.
And to Clive: Smoking weed helps you see things in a better perspective. I recommend it. Guus just hasn’t have enough yet.
Reply to Wim Smit, Rotterdam:
Wim, you could have come on here and made some good points, but instead you trot out the usual old inflammatory bollocks and try to 'flame' people into responses. Here is a hopefully more measured response to some of your points
1.) We're a billionaires plaything and that is in some way dishonourable and makes us 'bad'. Hmm, what were we supposed to do, turn down some major investment to grow the club and business, get some long overdue success in order to remain anonymously honourable? Seriously, the world does not operate like that.
2.) Russian mafia visiting Norwegian referees. Anywhere else and that might be libellous. Do you have any proof at all, anywhere or ever that Roman or any associate of Roman has ever deployed the Russian mafia to influence someone or get some payback. An utterly insulting and unnecessary comment with absolutely no basis in any truth.
3.) Barcelona - Gods own footballing angels. No diving? Did you see Messi go down in our box? What about the snivelling cheating wretch that is Alves? Lost the battle against Malouda in both games so resorted to the most scandalous play acting I've seen. Drogba's no angel and in the Nou Camp he was merely giving the tarts of Barca a taste of their own medicine. The difference is at Chelsea we acknowledge Drogba's diving and let him know our disapproval. Barca, club and fans, seem to think it's acceptable for them to do it, but not anyone else.
4.) Hiddink is no good? Dutch football has fallen a long way. Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV will never be forces again. They now only compare to Celtic or Rangers. Thats a shame but when their BEST coaches export their talents what can you expect. Hiddink is one of the most successful Dutch coaches in the world and has salvaged a season that the Brazilian con man Scolari had threatened to ruin. The best around....no, thats Ferguson or Mourinho. But good enough for us...
5.) Read my follow up review, and get the common sense view that many CFC fans actually think.
Reply to Wim Smit, Rotterdam:
You want to be careful Wim, drugs can fuel paranoia, and delusional thoughts. I prefer to stick to alcohol in measured doses, much safer.