CL knock out stage

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?

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

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Originally Posted by vidic-class

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

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by pól-dcfc

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by jmurphyc

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.

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

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Originally Posted by jmurphyc

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

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.

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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?

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Originally Posted by 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 .

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

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Originally Posted by gustavo

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

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flucking brilliant :D:D

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Originally Posted by lionelhutz

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?

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Marquez is out for the rest of the season apparently. He won't be back. It was a serious enough knee injury he got in the first leg.

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Originally Posted by Longfordian

Marquez is out for the rest of the season apparently. He won't be back. It was a serious enough knee injury he got in the first leg.

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The only realistic options for their defence that I can think of are Puyol at right back, Sylvinho on the left, with Pique and either Caceres (apparently a promising but very raw centre back) or a player out of position, such as Toure, at centre back. I think they'll go for Toure as I thought he did quite well last night overall. His positioning can let him down a bit though. Anyway, they'll have a few games to experiment with their defence, as the league is all but wrapped up for them.

Unfortunately they have four defenders out who would definitely have been contending for a spot on the pitch in the final: Marquez, Alves, Abidal and Milito (who has admittedly been out for the season). They'll be up against it.

In London now, so i cant tell you how happy i am to do a good bit of ribbing
Dirty cheating diving scum
What comes aroud goes around - surely Chelsea must know now that since Drogba and ballack do so much maoning and diving that how do they expect to get any 50-50 decisions from the ref???

Lucky for Barca that Abigdal is missing, he is rubbish - could be a chance to play an attacking def?

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

Lucky for Barca that Abigdal is missing, he is rubbish - could be a chance to play an attacking def?

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Abidal is an attacking left back. They'll likely be playing a 35 year old Sylvinho in his place. Hardly ideal.

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Originally Posted by gustavo

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

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The only thing that's "a f£$king disgrace" is Drogba's attitude while scolari was in charge, didnt lift a finger

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Originally Posted by 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 .

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You've made some good points here.

I'm listening to Talksport at the moment. Ian Wright is asking "how much does Ballack want to take a ball in the face and see Chelsea go through?".

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Originally Posted by SunnySweeney

You've made some good points here.

I'm listening to Talksport at the moment. Ian Wright is asking "how much does Ballack want to take a ball in the face and see Chelsea go through?".

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Only Ian Wright could ask that question. What a tool!
Ballack did shy from it. I'm delighted they didn't go through. Couldn't care less about who wins the final, but as long as that shower are out I'm happy.

http://i43.tinypic.com/n659qq.gif

:D:D

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Originally Posted by pól-dcfc

Only Ian Wright could ask that question. What a tool!
Ballack did shy from it. I'm delighted they didn't go through. Couldn't care less about who wins the final, but as long as that shower are out I'm happy.

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Ian Wright - "If Ballack had shown the same passion and determination at blocking Ineasta's shot as he showed when chasing down the referee, then Chelsea would be in the final today" :D

I was delighted to see that cheating diving piece of **** Drogba so upset. The man is a joke for a player of his size and build he goes down easier than a five euro hooker.

Love the over the top reactions here chelsea should be banned for a season etc !! Anyone that has ever played at any level even 5 a side leagues will tell you how flustrating it is to have a utterly useless ref out there.

If you had your whole season washed down the drain because of an idiot ref that waved away 3 if not 4 penalties ( 2 of which where blatanet hand balls ) you would be upset.

In saying that Ballack ducking out of the way of the shot was a joke if that was Phil Jageilka he would have thrown his face in front of the ball to stop it.

Still delighted chelsea are out but Barca didnt deserve it.

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Originally Posted by RonnieB

I was delighted to see that cheating diving piece of **** Drogba so upset. The man is a joke for a player of his size and build he goes down easier than a five euro hooker.

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except when there is four or five burly guys trying to pull him down and he's intent on making it to the tv camera's:)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUziCx1mHxQ

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Originally Posted by anto1208

Love the over the top reactions here chelsea should be banned for a season etc !! Anyone that has ever played at any level even 5 a side leagues will tell you how flustrating it is to have a utterly useless ref out there.

If you had your whole season washed down the drain because of an idiot ref that waved away 3 if not 4 penalties ( 2 of which where blatanet hand balls ) you would be upset.

In saying that Ballack ducking out of the way of the shot was a joke if that was Phil Jageilka he would have thrown his face in front of the ball to stop it.

Still delighted chelsea are out but Barca didnt deserve it.

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So you think that a referee receiving death threats, which is the second time Chelsea fans have done so, is acceptable. Have you ever received a death threat? No matter how frustrating it is for the Chelsea players, there's a way to act after losing a match. Chelsea didn't lose with dignity.

Chelsea can moan about the referee, but IMO none of the incidents were clear cut - the "blatant" hand balls could be argued as being accidental or ball to hand - and on top of that, most of the appeals were after Barcelona had a man incorrectly sent off, opening up more space for Chelsea, and consequently causing those incidents.

I thought the Malouda / Alves incident was definitely inside the box but I'm not convinced it was even a foul. There was every bit as much of a case to be made for a free out, no?

Drogba foul? Definitely a brief tug but only reason he went down was the realisation that Valdes was getting to the ball first.

Pique handball? Stonewall penalty.

Eto block? They're never given for ball to shoulder at pace (unless you're playing Georgia :))

So for me one out of four was a penalty, not the criminal scandal that Chelsea are making out.

I don't like Chelsea much but my admiration for Hiddink just grows & grows. Drogba is such a horrible creep.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I don't like Chelsea much but my admiration for Hiddink just grows & grows.

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Why? He came out speaking of conspiracy after the match, and refuses to acknowledge that Drogba has been extremely stupid with his "f***ing disgrace" rant. He also said t was the worst refereeing performance he's ever seen, conveniently forgetting about the World Cup matches he had with Korea against Italy and Spain. He's a ballbag, and has never won anything outside of Holland.

Oh, and his tactics didn't pay off. Chelsea still sat back after Barca went down to 10 men, and brought on a defensive midfielder for a striker on 72mins. Hardly a great manager. If Stephen Kenny did that, I'd be fuming. If you play that sort of football you deserve to lose.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I thought the Malouda / Alves incident was definitely inside the box but I'm not convinced it was even a foul. There was every bit as much of a case to be made for a free out, no?

Drogba foul? Definitely a brief tug but only reason he went down was the realisation that Valdes was getting to the ball first.

Pique handball? Stonewall penalty.

Eto block? They're never given for ball to shoulder at pace (unless you're playing Georgia :))

So for me one out of four was a penalty, not the criminal scandal that Chelsea are making out.

I don't like Chelsea much but my admiration for Hiddink just grows & grows. Drogba is such a horrible creep.

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I think the Eto one should have been a pen... for me if you have ur arm above the head and it blocks the ball it should be given every time

Pol, I thought in the first interview I saw with Hiddink he was very reserved. "It's not about the penalties, we had other chances we could have taken, Henry should have had a penalty in Barcelona...."

Did he say worse stuff later? I had turned off & I was probably busy doing cartwheels down my road!

Also, I think the way Chelsea played was textbook how to play against a better team. Hiddink can play brilliant football but is also pragmatic enough to look at what he has, look at what the opposition has and come up with a gameplan. It didn't work but that was ultimately down to a pathetic effort at a clearance in the 94th minute (who was it that sliced the hoof up pitch?). That all said, it's easy to implement a plan if you have giants like Essien on the pitch.

Is Essien the modern incarnation of Roy Keane - they guy who has the ability to grab a game by its balls?

I agree about defensive substitutions though, I hate them.

Razor, those ball to upper arm ones are very rarely given. I'd like to have seen what may have happened if it was in the other box though.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Pol, I thought in the first interview I saw with Hiddink he was very reserved. "It's not about the penalties, we had other chances we could have taken, Henry should have had a penalty in Barcelona...."

Did he say worse stuff later? I had turned off & I was probably busy doing cartwheels down my road!

Also, I think the way Chelsea played was textbook how to play against a better team. Hiddink can play brilliant football but is also pragmatic enough to look at what he has, look at what the opposition has and come up with a gameplan. It didn't work but that was ultimately down to a pathetic effort at a clearance in the 94th minute (who was it that sliced the hoof up pitch?). That all said, it's easy to implement a plan if you have giants like Essien on the pitch.

Is Essien the modern incarnation of Roy Keane - they guy who has the ability to grab a game by its balls?

I agree about defensive substitutions though, I hate them.

Razor, those ball to upper arm ones are very rarely given. I'd like to have seen what may have happened if it was in the other box though.

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It was Essien.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I thought the Malouda / Alves incident was definitely inside the box but I'm not convinced it was even a foul. There was every bit as much of a case to be made for a free out, no?

Drogba foul? Definitely a brief tug but only reason he went down was the realisation that Valdes was getting to the ball first.

Pique handball? Stonewall penalty.

Eto block? They're never given for ball to shoulder at pace (unless you're playing Georgia :))

So for me one out of four was a penalty, not the criminal scandal that Chelsea are making out.

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Spot on with all that in my opinion. For the Malouda/Alves incident, when the ref blew the whistle first I thought he was giving a free out.

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Originally Posted by jmurphyc

So you think that a referee receiving death threats, which is the second time Chelsea fans have done so, is acceptable. Have you ever received a death threat? No matter how frustrating it is for the Chelsea players, there's a way to act after losing a match. Chelsea didn't lose with dignity.

Chelsea can moan about the referee, but IMO none of the incidents were clear cut - the "blatant" hand balls could be argued as being accidental or ball to hand - and on top of that, most of the appeals were after Barcelona had a man incorrectly sent off, opening up more space for Chelsea, and consequently causing those incidents.

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Hang on a sec where did i mention death threats ? im talking about the game itself.

The hand ball where anelka was going past the defender he had his arm out and stopped the ball thats an peno and the one where the shot was blocked down near the end the defender blocked it with his arm which was above his head hardly ball to hand. Ball to hand only counts if the defenders arms are by his side.

Barca player getting sent off was another ref blunder.

Either way i think it will be a long time before that ref gets another game.

Death threats are a discrace but there is nothing much the team can do about that other than ban the fans if they are found and hand them over to the cops.

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Originally Posted by anto1208

Hang on a sec where did i mention death threats ? im talking about the game itself.

The hand ball where anelka was going past the defender he had his arm out and stopped the ball thats an peno and the one where the shot was blocked down near the end the defender blocked it with his arm which was above his head hardly ball to hand. Ball to hand only counts if the defenders arms are by his side.

Barca player getting sent off was another ref blunder.

Either way i think it will be a long time before that ref gets another game.

Death threats are a discrace but there is nothing much the team can do about that other than ban the fans if they are found and hand them over to the cops.

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Chelsea as a football club disgraced themselves last night. English clubs and Liverpool were banned from Europe for the deaths of innocent people. That incident didn't involve the club itself, and whilst actual deaths are obviously far worse, death threats shouldn't be taken lightly. I would have no problem with my club being banned from Europe if they acted the way Chelsea did last night.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Pol, I thought in the first interview I saw with Hiddink he was very reserved. "It's not about the penalties, we had other chances we could have taken, Henry should have had a penalty in Barcelona...."

Did he say worse stuff later? I had turned off & I was probably busy doing cartwheels down my road!

Also, I think the way Chelsea played was textbook how to play against a better team. Hiddink can play brilliant football but is also pragmatic enough to look at what he has, look at what the opposition has and come up with a gameplan. It didn't work but that was ultimately down to a pathetic effort at a clearance in the 94th minute (who was it that sliced the hoof up pitch?). That all said, it's easy to implement a plan if you have giants like Essien on the pitch.

Is Essien the modern incarnation of Roy Keane - they guy who has the ability to grab a game by its balls?

I agree about defensive substitutions though, I hate them.

Razor, those ball to upper arm ones are very rarely given. I'd like to have seen what may have happened if it was in the other box though.

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Great post, agree with all of the above.

I think Hiddink was pretty sincere after the match. I didn't see all of the post match stuff, but from what I saw he said that Chelsea should have taken more chances, there could have been other penalties in the tie and the ref last night was pretty poor. All of which are generally true and not that contraversial.

You have to credit Hiddink for being tactically astute. Barca's attack is very good and he deployed a system that restricted it for 180 mins. He has managed to get Chelsea clicking again. Under Scolari they were dismal, now he's brought fringe players back into the fold (e.g. Alex, Ivanovic) and they've been much better since he took over. He's been this good at pretty much all the clubs and nations he managed and that's why he's probably the best tactician in European football. I would say he's the best in the world but I think Ramon Diaz is probably a touch better.

Essien is a superb player, I remember a Lyon fan I used to work with raving about him a few seasons ago and I thought it was Gallic hype but in reality he's one of the best central midfielders in the league. His occasional absences over the last few seasons have coincided with blips in Chelsea's form, and more crucially nearly cost Ghana in their qualification for WC2010 - they only just came through their group stage with Gabon (Libya were eliminated on goal difference).

There's a major malfunction in Sat Navs today. Chelsea is showing up as being 2 minutes from Rome

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

It was Essien.

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Told you he was influential :)

http://i44.tinypic.com/18gal3.gif

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Originally Posted by anto1208

Love the over the top reactions here chelsea should be banned for a season etc !! Anyone that has ever played at any level even 5 a side leagues will tell you how flustrating it is to have a utterly useless ref out there.

If you had your whole season washed down the drain because of an idiot ref that waved away 3 if not 4 penalties ( 2 of which where blatanet hand balls ) you would be upset.

In saying that Ballack ducking out of the way of the shot was a joke if that was Phil Jageilka he would have thrown his face in front of the ball to stop it.

Still delighted chelsea are out but Barca didnt deserve it.

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Yes I agree that a bad referee decisions can be very frustrating but there is a big difference between players arguing or making a point to a ref about decisions they believe was wrong (which happens regularly) and the actions of Ballack and Drogba. Not saying they deserve a season ban don't think anyone thinks that but they should be banned for a least 3 games and get a large fine 3 weeks wages or something similar

And Barca did deserve it,they were the more entertaining side and played the better football in both games

If ever there was an example of why the away goals rule is invaluable.

Chelsea punished by their 'heroic' 0-0 draw.

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Originally Posted by jmurphyc

Abidal is an attacking left back. They'll likely be playing a 35 year old Sylvinho in his place. Hardly ideal.

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id take that TBH

talking about ballack - he managed to pee a lot of german fans off in the last world cup - pulling out of a good few tackles in the Italy game - and him a midfielder and all - what exactly is he good at?

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

id take that TBH

talking about ballack - he managed to pee a lot of german fans off in the last world cup - pulling out of a good few tackles in the Italy game - and him a midfielder and all - what exactly is he good at?

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He may as well be on the dole. Only difference is, I don't think you get £120,000 a week on the dole.