CL knock out stage

[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..

[old git]

flucking brilliant

[Longfordian]

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?

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.

[jmurphyc]

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.

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.

[bennocelt]

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?

[jmurphyc]

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

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

[hunt4the]

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

[SunnySweeney]

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 .

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?".

[pól-dcfc]

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?".

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.

[pól-dcfc]

[SunnySweeney]

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.

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"

[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.