Very Messi
Thursday, 23 February 06, 12:41 PM · Comments (14)
All fans know that sometimes you have to take a result on the chin. Last night it was our turn. What is pointless is debating the red card. Once the referee makes his decision, that’s it. Some you agree with, some you don’t. There was a worse, more reckless tackle in the game, which got a yellow card. And some Barcelona players sportingly applauded the dismissal, goading Del Horno as he left. That’s football.
Despite the result these big European games are always special. Club football doesn’t really get much better than the knockout stages of the Champions League. Okay, we’ve most likely been knocked out but I am still in awe of the competition. These are the best players in the world, playing at an exceptional level. How many national teams would beat Barcelona, or Juventus? Not many.
As with last year the game pivoted on two chances, one missed, one taken. Last year Iniesta broke into the Chelsea area, got behind our defence but failed to score from a difficult angle. Not much more than a minute later John Terry had powered home the decisive fourth goal from a header. Last night Drogba got behind their defence but failed to score from an equally tight angle. From the resulting corner Barcelona broke up-field, where Eto’o scored the decisive goal with a firm header. Uncannily similar.
The margins at this level are small, one slight mistake, one missed half chance, bang, you’re out. Bye bye till next year. Tough to take when it goes against you, but that is what makes these knockout stages so exciting. I do believe we have a chance in the Nou Camp, but I’d say nine times out of ten that Barcelona would go through from this position.
The way Barca play does mean there will be opportunities. Even with a one man advantage, playing away from home, Barca were still caught short handed at the back a few times. A little more composure from us could have seen them concede more than the one goal they did. The last 30 minutes were played as if this was a one off tie, being decided on the night.
Ronaldinho is a pleasure to watch, undoubtedly the best in the world right now. Unlike some of his team mates he steered clear of the childish back biting that went on pre match. He also picked a lot of Chelsea players (five or six I think) in his World XI, he’s a great player who behaves like one. Unlike Eto’o, who is a great player who behaves like a moron. It’s not easy to forget his false accusations of racism last season, amongst other things.
In twelve days Chelsea will have to take the game to Barca, going against our manager’s instinctive caution, which may not be a bad thing. If I have one reservation about our esteemed coach, then it is that caution. It may seem churlish to question the methods that have brought Chelsea success under Mourinho but I think it’s a valid point.
The first 37 minutes (up to the red card) last night were a stalemate, we looked like we would settle for 0-0 -- we’d certainly settle for it now! I’d like to see us be more imposing in our home legs. We can be too reactive, we wait for mistakes, sometimes you have to force the opposition into making those mistakes. It’s a delicate balance but I feel we err on the side of caution.
Naturally (and predictably) the press have had a field day. A quick scan of the internet reveals gloating at the result from all quarters. Fair enough. Mourinho’s abrasive style and Abramovich’s cash make us a target. When we lose it is generally a cause for celebration elsewhere. I accept that. It’s part of the deal.
On a different note I’d like wish Alan Smith a speedy recovery. I don’t like him, I’ve never liked him and I don’t like Manchester United much. However injuries like that are horrible, whoever they happen to. Roberto Di Matteo had a similar leg break and never played again. I sincerely hope Alan Smith does.
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bling i,m gutted . when i red your article which normally is is bang on cant help but feel that were surrendering. surrounding to blatant piss taking favoritism. our lads deserve better than this sorry arsed cheating scum called EUFA .I'm sorry but i cant just lie down and accept that cos a ref has made a bad decision that's life forget about that was the second time in 3 meetings that we've had a player sent off against barca. and 2 penalty decision go against us as well. also throughout the game the ref was one-sided although not as bad as frisk but still enough to make 12 v 10 men.barca have now had 25 opponents set off against them in less than 2 seasons think were on 5.......
no lets question these terrible cions .let,s do like whats done to us and continually condem these atrious desions.all we ask is that we aloud a level playing field in EUFA.
enough is enough and i personally agree with mourinho and lets field a b team cos after all that spoil there party beating our b team.
To Chapel Hill Tim I support what you say mate! Call me crazy as well, but we can do it!!!
We fought bravely yesterday.
Grats on a very fair and well written article. I must admit I came on here expecting to see a serious dose of sour grapes, but instead found a balanced, pragmatic view that deserves praise. You win some, you lose some, your article takes it on the chin and moves on - even understanding why you are now a team people like to dislike. Anyway, a great performance by your team tonight, and who knows you might actually disappoint a lot of people and do it in Barca!
Great Messi !!!
Well done !!!
You are the best player these days not only for your skills but also for being really brave.
Every Chelsea's fan are crying. And YOU F**king Mourinho. You are the worst Manager I've known.
Stop crying.
Come on ARGENTINA. Come on MESSI. The Best.
del homo should have been dismissed - twice!
barca should have been awarded penalties - twice!
Y ya lo ve, y ya lo ve, para Mourinho que lo mira por TV.
Keep on crying Chelsea's fans. Messi is the best. Ok, sorry, the best was MARADONA. The hand of god. Thanks MESSI thanks for everything. All Argentina enjoy this moment. Thanks.
Messi, vos si que tenes pelotas !!!!
14 Comments · Add yours
Well written article, and all fair points. It is good to see people rise above the inevitable "We wos robbed" clamour. Good luck in the second leg, I hope you do them in the Nou Camp.
"We will go to Barcelona with real belief. We will not go there to look at a beautiful city and say what a nice time we are going to have. We will go there confident, as always."
Call me crazy, but I think we can do it.