What you may have missed..
Friday, 08 May 09, 06:26 AM · Comments(3)
By Michael Sinnerton
Just a few thoughts that I’m not sure have been properly voiced by the media this week. Whilst it’s not a major story given the goings on at the bridge I would like to have seen more commentators pick up on the swings and roundabouts of Chelsea v Barcelona. Given that it’s generally accepted that a farcical refereeing performance cost Chelsea the tie, I can’t understand why John’s Terry’s late winner in 2005 (4-2) that put Chelsea through hasn’t been brought up. A clear foul on the goalkeeper by Ricardo Carvalho was completely missed by the referee and Chelsea went through as a result. To me that means both teams have perhaps wrongly gone through to poor decisions. Two wrongs don’t make a right but they sure do even things up.
Another thing that has probably been brought up more in Spain, and even Italy is Guus Hiddink’s record. During the 2002 World Cup his South Korea side were the beneficiaries of a similar number of ludicrous decisions against both Italy and Spain. Perhaps this added to the Dutchman’s calm persona having on the other side of the fence on more than one occasion. Hiddink, who I thought tactically got things pretty much spot on (at least until Barca went down to 10), is undoubtedly a great manager but a lucky one. It was his PSV side remember who won the European Cup without winning a game in the latter stages.
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Lastly I notice there’s been a strange lack of sympathy for Eric Abidal despite his sending off against Chelsea. Even the most ardent Manchester United fan would have to argue that Abidal’s sending off was much harsher than Fletcher’s since he was neither last man nor committed the foul in the first place. I’m surprised that Barcelona haven’t brought this up but maybe they will if Fletcher does get his ban rescinded. I’m not against having an appeal in place and hope that UEFA stick by the red card decisions whilst bringing in an appeals process next year.Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
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On Wenger's experiment: The good, the bad and the Verminator
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Freddy said:Interesting to revisit this after 4 of 6 matches. Liverpool clearly are struggl...
Freddy said:Also never bet on a match involving your own side. Too messy!
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3 Comments · Add yours
THANK YOU!!! Many of my mates are chelsea and they have been moaning non stop. And I have just been like a broken record repeating prettymuch what you just said there.
Everyone (barring chelsea fans) is deligthed is its gonna be a man utd vs barca final, its the one we all wanted to see.
I agree... Barca haven't said much about appealing Abidal's card. I guess they might be waiting for the results of the "compassionate" plea from Man Utd.
I don't think UEFA are going to bend in either case. They only have provisions for mistaken identities (I guess that must have happened a lot?). I hope they're working on an appeals process for next season.
Guus has not always had the luck go his way. In the 2006 world cup he coached Australia who lost to Italy as a result of a (dubious) penalty in the final 5 mins.
Chelsea fans have every reason to be angry, as we had our dream ripped away from us in the final 90 seconds as a result of horrid refing.