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) 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.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
The World's most popular goal scored this season.
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 finalOriginally Posted by tiktok
I almost enjoyed Drogba's reaction as much as Iniesta's equaliser.
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".
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.
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.
Last edited by Emmet7; 06/05/2009 at 9:54 PM.
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.
ballack should have been sent off he pushed and grabed ref after penalty appeal turned down
" football is a simple game "
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.
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.
Last edited by Emmet7; 06/05/2009 at 10:09 PM.
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.
He should have, yeah. Completely OTT reaction.ballack should have been sent off he pushed and grabed ref after penalty appeal turned down
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
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.
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
" football is a simple game "
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 .
I'll update this next year.
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 clubwas 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.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
" football is a simple game "
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.
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.
"Joe Jordan is off to watch Young Boys tomorrow" Ian Darke
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 divingsky / 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)
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