Injustice at Stamford Bridge

Bitter end at the Bridge

It’s really quite funny how so many people, all self professed football ‘purists’, are blind to the fact that Chelsea, and not Barcelona, are the team that deserve to have a place in the final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The all knowing press led everyone to believe that Pep Guardiola’s team were the most irressistable attacking force on the planet, and that Chelsea would do well to simply prevent a massacre.

The Blues not only prevented a massacre, but came within a minute of clinching a chance at redemption against Manchester United in what would have been a rematch of last year’s final. But that wasn’t to be, for Barcelona left it to the last minute to show everyone how devastating they can be. The stubborn Chelsea resistance was broken just when you’d thought the job was over, and the irony of it all was that over the previous 92 minutes, Barca did not manage a single shot on target.

In the first leg, Chelsea produced a sterling defensive performance and managed to do what no other club has done this season; keep a clean sheet at the Nou Camp. But rather than applaud that fact, both the ‘purists’ and the Barcelona players themselves decided that Chelsea were “anti-football” and that that was why Barcelona flattered to deceive on the night.

Fast forward a week to Stamford Bridge. Michael Essien gives Chelsea the lead with a stunning Zinedine Zidane-esque volley in the 9th minute. Barca dominate posession but fail to do anything with it. Inspite of having only 30% possession Chelsea look the ones more likely to score and have 2 penalty appeals turned down in the first half; a clear indication of their attacking intent. Barcelona on the other hand look toothless and lost for ideas, with Alves not managing to cross the ball to save his life, and Eto’o mysteriously missing from the action. To the 2nd half and Abidal gets the red card he ought to have got 40 minutes earlier. Granted, the challenge he did get the card for was not even a challenge at all and he was hard done by. Barcelona continue to look toothless and Chelsea are denied another stonewall penalty for a Pique handball. 4 minutes of time added on. Miscued clearance from Essien allows Messi to pass to Iniesta who duly blasts the ball past Petr Cech in what was Barcelona’s first shot on target. Chelsea denied another penalty for what appeared to be an Eto’o handball. The final whistle blows and chaotic scenes follow.

Much of the sympathy Chelsea deserved was lost because of the disgraceful way in which Drogba and Ballack conducted themselves. Certainly understandable given the ultimate cost of the referee’s wrong decisions, but unacceptable given that they are professionals. John Terry and Frank Lampard were magnaninmous in defeat, but Terry’s subsequent defence of Drogba was baffling.

Indeed, the reaction of the Chelsea players deflected attention from the referee, sadly. The conspiracy theorists are without a doubt deluded, but it goes without saying that Uefa wanted Barcelona in the final. Ultimately Chelsea will have to look at themselves and wonder why they didn’t go for the killer goal. Drogba is the man who must shoulder the blame, not only for missing sitters in both legs, but feigning injury that led to his subsequent substitution which he didn’t even want. Perhaps if he was less inclined to the theatrics he’d have stayed on and Chelsea might have got the goal. Part of the fury which he directed at the referee was fury at himself for missing the chances. As a fan of Chelsea, I am sick and tired of Drogba’s antics and will be glad to see him leave. His importance to the team as a player is undermined by the temperamental problems and continuous tantrums.

The Spanish media rejoiced at the final result, citing it a victory for football over anti football. That is ridiculous to say the very least. For all of Barcelona’s slick passing and deft touches, it was Chelsea who with 30% posession created the better chances. If Chelsea did go through Barcelona could have no complaints.

What is especially strange is the hypocrisy within the press, and indeed, some fans. When Liverpool employ similar tactics they are hailed as the kings of Europe, and, funnily enough, the current kings of Europe – Manchester United – employed similar tactics to overcome Barcelona in last year’s semi-finals, and that was before Pep Guardiola came in and transformed the team.

Look back a decade when it was the Italians who dominated Europe. Then such performances were hailed as sterling examples of defensive prowess, yet now the amusing tag of “anti-football” is used upon Chelsea who were tactically brilliant. If they tried to play as Barcelona do, the press would have got the massacre they wanted. But the fact is that Chelsea out-thought and outplayed Barcelona, who openly admit that they do not have a plan B. That was clearly in evidence, and Alex Ferguson must be licking his lips at the prospect of another Champions League crown. Barcelona will certainly give Manchester United a very difficult game, but they are simply not as efficient as Chelsea and their single-minded approach to the game is naive, to put it mildly. It is why they have been eliminated regularly by English opposition.

As for Chelsea, the wait continues. They can hold their heads high for the way they kept such an exceptionally gifted Barcelona team in check, if not for the way some of their players conducted themselves after the game.

One day, their time will come.

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