CL knock out stage

[TonyD]

Absolutely thrilled. Jumped out of my chair when the equaliser went in. Great result for good football. Barcelona are just a joy to watch. ("They only had one shot on target" bleats Jamie Redknapp on SKY - it's true, but we're always told goals are what count :D:D) Chelseas aftermatch reactions were a disgrace. They had at best one good penalty claim, and it was never a sending off, Anelka fell over his own feet. Great stuff. Now onwards to Rome and hopefully Barca can beat the red filth this time. :D

[geysir]

The World's most popular goal scored this season.

[MikeBassett]

Chelsea players reveal their true character at the end.

Don't think Manchester United have much to fear from that Barca team [maybe the return of Henry could spark them into life], they certainly don't have anything to fear from Messi though. Obviously a hugely talented player, but that's 360 minutes of CL semi final football against English teams where he's been anonymous, he's got to step up to claim that 'best player in the world' title people seem intent on bestowing upon him.

Have to disagree with you on Messi tiktok. He wasn't amazing tonight, but he was very good in all fairness to him and tried hard, and being a Utd fan I certainly will fear him in the final

[DeLorean]

I almost enjoyed Drogba's reaction as much as Iniesta's equaliser.

[osarusan]

Well done to Barcelona for their perseverance. Chelsea decided to play a style which meant they would hand posession and territory to Barcelona for about 70% of the two legs, and they felt they were good enough to stop Barca scoring. Albeit deep into injury time, they failed.

I thought there were 4 penalty shouts. 1st one was Drogba with Abidal - there was a tug on him, but he dropped like a stone as usual, with no contact causing it. Second one was Drogba with Toure - he might have got a free kick outside the area, but ref played on and Drogba still had possession through on goal, the next tackle inside the area was clean. Anelka's flick onto Pique's hand was a penalty in my opinion, and the last was a volley blocked by Eto'o, which I thought would have been harsh.

Drogba was a disgrace after the match, especially given he missed a great great chance to put them 2 up. I actually thought Dunphy made a lot of sense about "getting our game back".

[DmanDmythDledge]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Only one of them was a penalty. Never a sending off for Abidal either. Sour grapes from Huudink with his interview on Sky. Defended the actions of his players (although said they were a bit OTT). Haven't seen them myself yet but Chelsea players generally behave like scum and this sounds like multiple times worse than usual.

[Emmet7]

I don't think Chelsea win any support from the neutral when you see how they behaved tonight. Drogba on his day is a great footballer no question, and I'd have him in any team, but his antics apart from that are a disgrace. He has a win at all costs attitude which really is not good for the game.

It's hard to feel sorry for 100,000 a week players like Ashley Cole, Lampard, Ballack and Drogba when losing. There are more important things than losing a football match. There is a lot of dishonesty in the English game these days with players diving and rolling around and pretending they are hurt and looking to get penalities they aren't entitled to and presurising referees. There isn't near as much dishonesty abroad.

Drogba's antics wouldn't be tolerated in any other league except in the English game. Messi was tripped by Malouda and Messi hardly said anything. If it was Drogba he'd pretend he was shot. It's good for football that an honest team makes it to the final.

[eirebhoy]

I think United will struggle without Fletcher. Who do they have to hassle the 2 masters of possession, Xavi and Iniesta? Anderson, Tevez and maybe Park? I just can't see that being enough. And no team in the world right now is good enough to match Barca without stopping them playing first imo.

[old git]

Booked Ballack after the penalty shout too.

ballack should have been sent off he pushed and grabed ref after penalty appeal turned down :mad:

[shakermaker1982]

A victory for football. Terry, Drogba, Cashley and co make my stomach turn at times with their antics. I'm hoping Terry and Drogb don't get away again. Terry spat at Tevez and called him a dirty cheating Argentinian **** in Moscow last year and it was swept under the carpet. They should get 10 game bans each.

I love how Drogba was nearly in tears when hobbling off (you'd suspect a serious injury if it was any other player) yet 20 minutes later he's nearly humping the cameraman. Chelsea must have some physio.

Thank you Iniesta.

[Emmet7]

Does anyone know the rule about handling the ball in the box? It seems a little unclear.

I don't think there is any question Pique handled the ball but probably accidently and without intent. Would this still be a penalty?

I definately don't think Ballack's shot against Eto was a penalty, Eto looked away and was pulling his arms out of the way, you can't be giving that, especially when a player makes the effort to get their hands out of the way.

The tackle on Drogba where he was brought down in the area was 50-50, some refs would give it, some wouldn't.

Overall you can't blame the ref, the sending off should not have been a sending off, no way, so Chelsea got that break. They had plenty of chances and didn't take them. A draw was a fair result in the end given Barca's possession.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I think United will struggle without Fletcher. Who do they have to hassle the 2 masters of possession, Xavi and Iniesta? Anderson, Tevez and maybe Park? I just can't see that being enough. And no team in the world right now is good enough to match Barca without stopping them playing first imo.
Agree. Devastated when he was sent off for that very reason. The team that started last night would have started against Barca. If Barca play their best they will win. Would have said the same if Fletch had been playing also.

[Schumi]

ballack should have been sent off he pushed and grabed ref after penalty appeal turned down :mad:

He should have, yeah. Completely OTT reaction.

[irishultra]

was it just me or did that match mirror the italy vs ireland game? only difference was we managed more shots than barca:)

nah but seriously im delighted like tbh I like both clubs(well i like chelsea players not so much the club) but heart was going for barca and i was delighed when iniesta put it in.

im so confident barca can now win in the final and put on a majestic performance. I can't wait tbh.

i don't have sky but apparently they were going on about how this was a uefa fix. jesus christ like.

[old git]

After the referee had walked into the tunnel Drogba turned around to the camera and shouted "He's a ****ing disgrace!". Can't believe he wasn't sent off.

missed all the b*tchin after final whistle earlier only watching in now on setanta .. drogba a disgrace ref should have shown him red card for abuse he was getting if only drogba was so passionate on the pitch chelsea would have won match :D dont think mr platini & co will be very impressed by chelsea players reactions after game :ball:

[First]

Ballacks attempt at blocking Inesta's shot for the goal was nothing short of cowardly. Its a bloody football not a scud missile . A Champions League semi-final you would throw your first born at it . Sums up for me the EPL and the pampered professionals that masquerade as men . Sickening. I am so glad that Chelsea were beaten , I despise their collective attitude and Drogba's attitude is pitiful. He is 6foot plus and falls over like my 1 year old Grandson, difference is my grandson tries to stay on his feet. God football is getting embarressing to watch at times with the carry on of these players.

Thankfully we have a football match to look forward to in United and Barcelona with the subplot of Ronaldo and Messi .

[old git]

was it just me or did that match mirror the italy vs ireland game? only difference was we managed more shots than barca:)

nah but seriously im delighted like tbh I like both clubs(well i like chelsea players not so much the club) but heart was going for barca and i was delighed when iniesta put it in.

im so confident barca can now win in the final and put on a majestic performance. I can't wait tbh.

i don't have sky but apparently they were going on about how this was a uefa fix. jesus christ like.

sky / utv cannot see beyond their own little worlds and english teams so they tend to get over excited ... you like chelsea players but not the club :confused: it is the chelsea players that make chelsea so unpopular and now you like barca and are extremly confident they will win final ...!!!! should be a great game between 2 good teams unless the occasion gets to players ... if barcelona turn it on and utd let them play i would fancy them to win it .. but if utd get in and about them and disrupt them you never know as ronaldo / rooney could cause alot of damage against barcelona's dodgy defence :ball:

[eamo1]

Justice done tonight.THere IS a God!!!!Drogba is THEE most pathetic disgrace for a person and player that ive ever seen on a football field.

[gaiscíoch]

Well done to Barcelona for their perseverance. Chelsea decided to play a style which meant they would hand posession and territory to Barcelona for about 70% of the two legs, and they felt they were good enough to stop Barca scoring. Albeit deep into injury time, they failed.

I thought there were 4 penalty shouts. 1st one was Drogba with Abidal - there was a tug on him, but he dropped like a stone as usual, with no contact causing it. Second one was Drogba with Toure - he might have got a free kick outside the area, but ref played on and Drogba still had possession through on goal, the next tackle inside the area was clean. Anelka's flick onto Pique's hand was a penalty in my opinion, and the last was a volley blocked by Eto'o, which I thought would have been harsh.

Drogba was a disgrace after the match, especially given he missed a great great chance to put them 2 up. I actually thought Dunphy made a lot of sense about "getting our game back".

I'd agree totally with your analysis. The Flick from Anelka onto Piques arm was a clear penalty. I'd blame the linesman for not calling it.

Abidal being sent off was very harsh you would have to think Pique would have been across.

The behaviour of the players afterwards was disgusting to say the least. Imagine you kids sitting at home watching that Uefa had better practice what they preach when they dish out the punishment.

I thought it was an awful game don't think Barcelona did enough to win. I thought it became really predictable after a while.

Final could be a classic no Abidal or Alves for Barce in final will be a very interesting contest.

[irishultra]

sky / utv cannot see beyond their own little worlds and english teams so they tend to get over excited ... you like chelsea players but not the club :confused: it is the chelsea players that make chelsea so unpopular and now you like barca and are extremly confident they will win final ...!!!! should be a great game between 2 good teams unless the occasion gets to players ... if barcelona turn it on and utd let them play i would fancy them to win it .. but if utd get in and about them and disrupt them you never know as ronaldo / rooney could cause alot of damage against barcelona's dodgy defence :ball:

Well Michael Ballack is my hero, well when I was a kid he was, and I like Lampard, Malouda, Carvalho, Essien and Drogba(as hard as it may seem i don't get annoyed by his diving:))

[Denis The Red]

I thought Alves' foul on Malouda should have been a pen, it was definitely inside. Pique's "handball" might have been given if it was seen.
But as everyone said, Chelsea are better off not getting to the final for their spoiling, negative tactics. It will be a better final without them with better players like Messi, Rooney, Henry, Ronaldo and co. all players we enjoy to watch. Football was the winner tonight imo.
And I really hope there will be sanctions brought against the Chelsea players who acted so disgracefully at the end, especially Drogba.

[rambler14]

Just got back from work and while there I had a fair idea what was going on referee wise and goals-wise but now having viewed the penalty incidents I must say that the referee is a disgrace, the Malouda foul was a disgrace, as was the Pique handball, the Eto'o handball and the tug on Drogba by Alves.
The 2 goals were well taken but because of poor reffing the two 2nd legs of the semi-finals have been runied and in the case of Fletcher and Abidal their finals have been ruined because of poor reffing!

[strangeirish]

:D

http://i44.tinypic.com/33xwsye.gif

[tiktok]

Have to disagree with you on Messi tiktok. He wasn't amazing tonight, but he was very good in all fairness to him and tried hard, and being a Utd fan I certainly will fear him in the final

Don't get me wrong, like I said, he's hugely talented. He played OK but the way people talk him up he should be dominating games like a CL semi final. The last two English teams he's faced have all but cancelled him out.

Evra hasn't been on great form recently and with O'Shea possibly in the other full back slot, he may get room out wide and he'll have to be marked tightly, but Utd showed last year they can mark him out of a game, Chelsea pretty much neutralised him.

If Henry isn't back, Messi will be Barca's key man, I just don't think he's living up to the hyperbole [at a time when Ronaldo, who in my opinion has been playing better and stepping up more consistently, is getting lambasted for being over-rated].

Cue a messi hat-trick in the final :D

[OwlsFan]

Just got back from work and while there I had a fair idea what was going on referee wise and goals-wise but now having viewed the penalty incidents I must say that the referee is a disgrace, the Malouda foul was a disgrace, as was the Pique handball, the Eto'o handball and the tug on Drogba by Alves.
The 2 goals were well taken but because of poor reffing the two 2nd legs of the semi-finals have been runied and in the case of Fletcher and Abidal their finals have been ruined because of poor reffing!

You don't work for Sky do you?

IMHO none was a clearcut penalty. The "tug" on the shirt? There is no doubt he grabbed Droghba's shirt but I didn't see a tug and he let go very quickly and the diver Droghba got his just reward - nothing. It is he who is the "fuc*ing disgrace". The coming together in the penalty area - both turn quickly. The Barca player had his hand across the Chelsea player but so did the Chelsea player on his opponent. No peno. The handball. Not deliberate and he didn't have his hand out to prevent a cross but for balance and Anelka was very close to him as he tried to flick it around. Seen them given - seen them not. 50/50 but not clearcut. DOn't think the last one was either - bit of arm and shoulder. Many refs would have caved in on such pressure but he didn't. The sending off: his legs were clipped not to mention the slight tug before hand.

Sky was a panic to watch. Andy Gray: 5 miniutes to go "this is why foreign teams hate meeting English teams in Europe. They haven't had a shot on target the whole game" (real George Hamilton tempting fate that one).

For those who say the Sky panel is bland, Souness and Rednapp veered between saying it was a UEFA conspiracy against having 2 Engish teams in the final (totally ignoring the sending off, ranting about the penos that weren't given and attacking the fact that a Norwegian ref got the game and that it would have been an Italian. WHat was the nationality of the ref who sent off Fletcher :D).

Dunphy at half time said the non-English teams didn't like "it up umm". Zenophobic stuff but ignoring that the Chelsea was made up of mostly non-English nationals.

Tough on Chelsea but hopefully it will make for a better Final. Thankfully Droghba won't be going. I cannot bear his antics.

[reder]

I am massively anti-chelsea usually but I thought they were royally screwed last night. They had 4 good shouts for penalties that would have been given if that was Liverpool at Anfield or United at O.T.

However, I dont buy the nonsense that was spouted on Sky, particularly by Souness, that it was some anti-PL plot by UEFA.

If what happended to Chelsea last night, happened at Anfield, there would have been a riot.

[gspain]

I think it was down to a poor referee way out of his depth as opposed to any conspiracy.

If anything such referees normally favour the home team so I doubt if UEFA planned this.

Normally the refereeing for the CL is much better than the World Cup where politics can get you a referee or a linesman in the finals.

[Lionel Ritchie]

I am massively anti-chelsea usually but I thought they were royally screwed last night. They had 4 good shouts for penalties that would have been given if that was Liverpool at Anfield or United at O.T.

However, I dont buy the nonsense that was spouted on Sky, particularly by Souness, that it was some anti-PL plot by UEFA.

If what happended to Chelsea last night, happened at Anfield, there would have been a riot.

My thoughts exactly.

[Shilts]

What a laugh. All the crying and moaning from the Chelsea gang, conspiracies etc.
Anyone mention that Henry was dragged down by Alex(?) in the 1st leg - pen not given. The only pen I'd have given last night was for the Pique handball. The rest were not pens. Chelsea had other chances to put them away. Drogba missed 3 good chances between both legs. Don't blame the ref - blame yourself Didier!

Also, a few years back Chelsea beat Barca in the QFs. John Terry got the winner with a late header after a blatent foul on the keeper by Carvalho (dirtiest player in the league). The inexperienced ref (Pierluigi Collina) missed it.
What goes around comes around. Take your beating like a man!
The final should be a cracker!!!

[Longfordian]

http://i41.tinypic.com/152gxmr.jpg

[eamo1]

Agree 100% with you Shilts.You said everything i was going to say about Henry not getting one in the first leg etc.Also Drogba's deserved rep as a diver coming back to bite him in the behind.I remember that foul by Carvalho for that goal,nothing from sky sports about that foul then.
Theres such thing as a gracious losers.Chelsea were NOT that last night.Every single player of theirs is so cynical and its awfull that football can be played in those tactics.My gf watched the game with me last night and she said Chelsea's tactics are one of the reasons she doesnt watch football over other sports.
After Galway Utd Barca are my fave club,have been since 1989.Cant wait for the final.Barca are chasing the same treble that Man Utd won in 1999 btw.

[Red4Eva]

What a laugh. All the crying and moaning from the Chelsea gang, conspiracies etc.
Anyone mention that Henry was dragged down by Alex(?) in the 1st leg - pen not given. The only pen I'd have given last night was for the Pique handball. The rest were not pens. Chelsea had other chances to put them away. Drogba missed 3 good chances between both legs. Don't blame the ref - blame yourself Didier!

Also, a few years back Chelsea beat Barca in the QFs. John Terry got the winner with a late header after a blatent foul on the keeper by Carvalho (dirtiest player in the league). The inexperienced ref (Pierluigi Collina) missed it.
What goes around comes around. Take your beating like a man!
The final should be a cracker!!!


agree with you 100% shilts. sky and the other biased hypocrites in the english media conveniently seemed to forget abidal's red. over the 2 legs the poor decisions by the referees balanced themselves out

[Roadend]

If Drogba hadn't been diving and playacting all night there wouldn;t have been 4 minutes injury time at the end. Drogba is clearly to blame for the loss!! :)

[Neish]

What a laugh. All the crying and moaning from the Chelsea gang, conspiracies etc.
Anyone mention that Henry was dragged down by Alex(?) in the 1st leg - pen not given. The only pen I'd have given last night was for the Pique handball. The rest were not pens. Chelsea had other chances to put them away. Drogba missed 3 good chances between both legs. Don't blame the ref - blame yourself Didier!

Also, a few years back Chelsea beat Barca in the QFs. John Terry got the winner with a late header after a blatent foul on the keeper by Carvalho (dirtiest player in the league). The inexperienced ref (Pierluigi Collina) missed it.
What goes around comes around. Take your beating like a man!
The final should be a cracker!!!

Agree Drogba dived on at least 2 occassions where if he kept going he may well of scored, I can't remember which penalty claim it was but the ball bonced a couple of yards in front of Ballack instead of going for it he was running towards the ref shouting for a penalty. Abidal did not deserve to get sent off. Drogba should get a few game bans and a large fine for his actions after the game (talk about a sore losser) and Ballack but his arm on/around the ref twice so he deserves the same

Ever hear of a thing called Karma Chelsea(if not contact this man http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/My-Name-Is-Earl-tv-08.jpg)

[hunt4the]

Ever hear of a thing called Karma Chelsea(if not contact this man http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/My-Name-Is-Earl-tv-08.jpg)

so thats what carvalho's up too these days

[gustavo]

http://www.upload3r.com/serve/060509/1241648354.gif

[jmurphyc]

If Drogba hadn't been diving and playacting all night there wouldn;t have been 4 minutes injury time at the end. Drogba is clearly to blame for the loss!! :)

Well, if the man had stayed on his feet a few more times he might have actually done something with the ball. In that sense, he's his own worst enemy. When he gets into good positions he should shoot, or attempt to do something other than fall down. Good riddance to him. The only Chelsea player I particularly feel for is Essien. He usually conducts himself well and is a truly wonderful player. The rest of them are arrogant pr*cks who deserved what they got last night.

Also, I know it's not exactly linked, and maybe I'm overreacting a little but I thought the actions of Drogba were particularly disgraceful. He's essentially inciting hatred and violence - apparently the Chelsea fans were throwing things at the Barca bench and the referee - despite the fact that his fellow countrymen died last month during a football match. There are some things more important than football.

[gustavo]

Well, if the man had stayed on his feet a few more times he might have actually done something with the ball. In that sense, he's his own worst enemy. When he gets into good positions he should shoot, or attempt to do something other than fall down. Good riddance to him. The only Chelsea player I particularly feel for is Essien. He usually conducts himself well and is a truly wonderful player. The rest of them are arrogant pr*cks who deserved what they got last night.

l.

I quite like Carvalho , Alex , Belletti , Malouda and Joe Cole too

But Drogba is a disgrace same with a few more of their unlikeable characters it's hard to feel too sorry for them

[lopez]

...Every single player of theirs is so cynical and its awfull that football can be played in those tactics.My gf watched the game with me last night and she said Chelsea's tactics are one of the reasons she doesnt watch football over other sports...I thought I was going to ejaculate when Iniesta's shot hit the back of the net. But that was nothing to the ecstacy of seeing Drugba kicking off at the end. Yeah mate, you are a f*cking disgrace. As for the Sky panel, I'd rather have three guests from the Jeremy Kyle show giving me their insights, although I'd keep Gullit there though so that someone could blame him for sleeping with their partner behind their back.

Eamo, you're girlfriend's dead right. The whole 'culture' of last night explains why I have absolutely no interest in this so-called world's best league. In fact I detest it. And to think some people pay good money to watch these overpaid babies every week. :rolleyes:

[jmurphyc]

I'm just watching the sky footage now, and it's absolutely pitiful. Chelsea were robbed, all of the incidents were penalty decisions (none of them were clear cut in my opinion), and whilst showing Ballack going mental at the referee Redkapp says that he can understand how he feels. Their defence of Chelsea's actions is shocking, and if Barcelona had done the same Sky's viewpoint would be very different.

[lionelhutz]

What a beautiful night for football. Yes, Barca only had one shot on target in the 90 mins but thats all they needed! Chelsea played similar tactics to San Marino over the entire two legs and they nearly pulled it off cause they've better players than San Marino. It was horrible to watch them hoof it aimlessly upfield time and time again.

I felt such delight when Inesta struck. Chelsea are utter scumbags as shown by their actions at the end. Go on you beauty!!

Regarding the penalty decisions - Alves initially fouled Malouda outside the box therefore it was the correct decision to give a free. Toure did tug Drogba's shirt but he didn't fall until a couple of seconds after the tug which is why the referee felt he dived. The two handballs were accidental and therefore no penalty. The rules state that for a free/penalty to be given for handball it has to be deemed deliberate. Neither of the two last night were deliberate.

Is anybody else delighted that Alves is missing for the final?? His crossing last night when he was in excellent positions was chronic time and time again. He's the one Barca player I don't like - he seems Chelsea like in his demeanour and attitude.

Puyol and Marquez will be back for the final so I assume they'll slot into the defence instead of Abidal and Alves. Could play Puyol right back, Toure and Marquez in the middle and Pique on the left maybe?

[MikeBassett]

Last night's ref Tom Henning Ovrebo had to be smuggled out of England this morning following numerous death threats. Typical Chelsea scum.

Get in there Iniesta

[pól-dcfc]

Last night's ref Tom Henning Ovrebo had to be smuggled out of England this morning following numerous death threats. Typical Chelsea scum.

Get in there Iniesta

Do you have a source for that? If it's true is disgraceful behaviour. Drogba should get a season long European ban for bringing the game into disrepute with his foul-mouthed outburst.

[pól-dcfc]

I see it now on http://www.football365.com

[jmurphyc]

Do you have a source for that? If it's true is disgraceful behaviour. Drogba should get a season long European ban for bringing the game into disrepute with his foul-mouthed outburst.

To be honest, I think the whole club should get a season long ban. At least. Their fans were supposedly chucking things on the pitch and a lot of their players were acting badly. I think they'd fully deserve it.

[pól-dcfc]

To be honest, I think the whole club should get a season long ban. At least. Their fans were supposedly chucking things on the pitch and a lot of their players were acting badly. I think they'd fully deserve it.

I agree, but I don't think it's going to happen.

[Dodge]

To be honest, I think the whole club should get a season long ban. At least. Their fans were supposedly chucking things on the pitch and a lot of their players were acting badly. I think they'd fully deserve it.

That post is as OTT reactionary as they were last night. Drogba's a tit but how many times do you see reactions like that from players over decisions? Dozens and dozens throughout the season.

I think the commentators had a part to play in stoking up the fans tbh, but it will all die down in a week or two and Chelseas will move on.

[jmurphyc]

That post is as OTT reactionary as they were last night. Drogba's a tit but how many times do you see reactions like that from players over decisions? Dozens and dozens throughout the season.

I think the commentators had a part to play in stoking up the fans tbh, but it will all die down in a week or two and Chelseas will move on.

I disagree. This is the second time that a referee has had death threats after a Chelsea game. They might not be real, but death threats could potentially ruin someone's life. I wouldn't want to have to watch my back the whole time. That's part of the reason why they need to be banned. Last night was a black night for football in that sense.

Chelsea fans may move on, but what about the referee and his family?

[old git]

Ballacks attempt at blocking Inesta's shot for the goal was nothing short of cowardly. Its a bloody football not a scud missile . A Champions League semi-final you would throw your first born at it . Sums up for me the EPL and the pampered professionals that masquerade as men . Sickening. I am so glad that Chelsea were beaten , I despise their collective attitude and Drogba's attitude is pitiful. He is 6foot plus and falls over like my 1 year old Grandson, difference is my grandson tries to stay on his feet. God football is getting embarressing to watch at times with the carry on of these players.

Thankfully we have a football match to look forward to in United and Barcelona with the subplot of Ronaldo and Messi .

add nasri of arsenal to this he ducked out of way from ronaldos free kick for utd second goal tuesday night.. :D

[old git]

http://www.upload3r.com/serve/060509/1241648354.gif

flucking brilliant :D:D