Chelsea v Barcelona

[Roadend]

Never a red card, not in a million years. But, got to agree that what goes around comes around. Couldn't happen a nicer Pr***.

Debatable, the intention was there, it was not a clumsy tackle as sly sports alluded to. He went to do Messi and rightfully got sent off. Anyway to blow you theory out of the water, Barca had 2 stonewall penalties not given. Explain that.

[NeilMcD]

To be a bit Devils advocate, has no one found it "strange" that in both first legs v Barca, Chels were reduced to ten before half time, despite having a really good disciplinary record?? Has there been a fix and uefa want the "Beautiful" team to go through, despite the fact that they could only barely beat a team with ten despite being "amazing" last night?.

Never a red card, not in a million years. But, got to agree that what goes around comes around. Couldn't happen a nicer Pr***.

Or strange that Chelsea have purposely let their pitch go to ****e for this game.

Also the Uefa fix does not stand up as Liverpool and Porto and Greece have all won the last 3 Champions League and European Championships and watching them is like watching paint dry.

Fact is that Drogba was rightly sent off and so was Del Horno, he kicked Messi then robben just missed Mess and then Del Horno clattered mess with a high tackle. Both Messi and Del Horno over acted but at least Messi was the one that was fouled.

Football was the winner last night.

[marktis]

Thank Christ it wasn't just me ... what were those guys on Sky watching ??? Some of Barca's football was breathtaking - Messi showed why he is regarded by some as being the new Maradona; Ronaldinho was quiet until the last 20 minutes when he started to find a lot more space and control play. Chelsea were lucky they only lost 2-1 because they really could have been hammered on another night.

Here here - I could not believe what I was hearing on Sky Sports. Andy Gray is a real xenophob when it comes to european matches. Some of the things he was coming out with was just shocking.

IMO what got Del Horno sent off was:
1. He raised his foot when he clattered into Messi when if he just ran into him he probably would have been booked.
2. He did as much rolling around as Messi
3. He had already tried to take Messi out of the game several times and the ref had warned him.

Was absolutely delighted to see Barca win the match and to see Larsoon play his part.

[stickyjoe]

Also the Uefa fix does not stand up as Liverpool and Porto and Greece have all won the last 3 Champions League and European Championships and watching them is like watching paint dry.

.

I wouldnt put that porto team into the same category as greece, some of their football in their winning UEFA and CL campaign was great to watch.

Another strange thing about last nights game was the fact that it was a Norwegian referee reffing the game. Lets be honest how many games in Norway are going to produce anyhting like the atmosphere/pressure/football that last nights produced. Surely its better to have experienced referees who are experiencing these type of games on a regular basis.

There was similar problems in the last world cup when refs from some very small footballing nations were getting the big WC games, I think there was a Costa Rica team of officials that messed up the S Korea/Italy game with some desperate decisions

[Clifford]

Debatable, the intention was there, it was not a clumsy tackle as sly sports alluded to. He went to do Messi and rightfully got sent off. Anyway to blow you theory out of the water, Barca had 2 stonewall penalties not given. Explain that.

Totally fair response, not looking to be blown away at all, just putting it out there for debate. I still find it interesting if that's ok with you (i.e. after sending a guy off so early the pens are not necessary as the job has been done sufficiently)

[marktis]

Another strange thing about last nights game was the fact that it was a Norwegian referee reffing the game. Lets be honest how many games in Norway are going to produce anyhting like the atmosphere/pressure/football that last nights produced. Surely its better to have experienced referees who are experiencing these type of games on a regular basis.

Anders Frisk was the referee for last seasons encounter between the two teams and he was forced into retirement because of death threats from chelsea fans. Mr Frisk was one of the best and most experienced european referees.

I just hope that Chelsea and in large part the english media blame the referee resulting in threats from so called football fans against him and his family.

[Clifford]

Also the Uefa fix does not stand up as Liverpool and Porto and Greece have all won the last 3 Champions League and European Championships and watching them is like watching paint dry.


Football was the winner last night.

Like watching paint dry which is why they are trying so hard to have the "Beautiful winner"!!

I totally agree about the result, I hate everything the new Chels stand for.

[pete]

Sky Sports are British so its obvious they will be biased towards their own clubs. Says a lot though that people turned off Sky for George Hamilton.

Must say sending off was unlucky but as mentioned Del Horno had got away with a few yellow cards already.

Brilliant 2nd half. Barca played great football & at the end had Eto, Larsson, Ronaldinho, Messi & Deco on the pitch togethe which is some attacking options. Must say i've never heard of Messi before but he was outstanding. The styles of play from both teams even before the sending really showed up the standards between England & Spain.

3 english teams in the Champions League this week & i think only 6 english players started or came off the bench.

[NeilMcD]

From the Irish Times I think a fair piece.

Chelsea on verge of exit



Uefa Champions League round of 16 first leg: Chelsea 1 - Barcelona 2

Chelsea are on the verge of extinction in the competition, having not only been beaten but also conceding two away goals, with Samuel Eto'o winning the game by heading home Rafael Marquez's cross in the 79th minute, writes Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge

It was a result Barcelona fully deserved and they could easily have netted a few more only for the heroics of John Terry, who was lucky not to concede a late penalty after a rugby-like tackle on Lionel Messi.

However, the greatest damage of all had been done by Asier del Horno, who was sent off for a crass challenge on Messi in the first half. A bold Chelsea went on to take the lead through a Thiago Motta own goal before Terry inadvertently sent the ball into his own net, but it was the sins of a Spanish left-back that changed the match and, probably, his club's season.

The first-half had smacked of patience more than vengeance before the red card for Del Horno. Barcelona were smart enough to resort to using Edmilson and Motta, two tall holding players, to establish a secure base in midfield. A year ago at Stamford Bridge there had been a 3-0 lead for Chelsea by the 18th minute, but that was a return leg while this was merely the initial set of negotiations over the future of the tie.

There was some hard bargaining. Hernan Crespo, writhing on the ground after a tackle from behind that earned Barcelona's captain Carles Puyol a booking after 20 minutes, confirmed it. For all that, the game was hotly contested rather than brutal and the La Liga leaders had not actually abandoned their principles.

There had far too much purity of intention for Chelsea's liking in the 19th minute. A spate of passes between Deco, Messi and Eto'o set up Ronaldinho and it took sheer weight of numbers to repel him on the edge of the six-yard box. The Brazilian was also to draw a fine save from Petr Cech following an Oleguer cut-back after half-an-hour.

At this point Chelsea, who must have anticipated their opponents hogging possession, may have believed patience and organisation on their part would still be rewarded. There had been hints of laxness from Barcelona, as when they stood off so that Frank Lampard could take a free-kick near the halfway line, gather a return ball from Joe Cole and try a shot.

All assumptions were altered, of course, by the dismissal of Del Horno. The Spaniard, who has not made a noteworthy contribution in his first season at Chelsea, at last hit the deadlines. Those who wondered how he would deal with the mercurial Messi received the unpleasant answer in the 36th minute. The 19-year-old skipped away from Arjen Robben near the corner flag and Del Horno, who had already been guilty of one poor challenge in the match, dealt with the situation by jumping into the Argentinian and knocking him to the ground.

Chelsea may have been expected a caution, but it was assuredly a piece of violent conduct and the Norwegian referee Terje Hauge was within his rights to expel the left-back. The decision provoked memories of Didier Drogba's red card when these sides met at Camp Nou last season, but the rashness of Del Horno's actions cannot be disputed.

Jose Mourinho reacted by bringing on Geremi for Joe Cole so that his remaining players had more conservative characteristics, and that policy also saw the tough Didier Drogba introduced for Crespo after the interval. Barcelona might still have been ahead in first-half stoppage time. Cech turned a Deco drive behind and Marquez's shot following the corner was blocked by the arm of Geremi as he turned his back, but Hauge discerned no intent in the parry.

Chelsea had much to consider at the interval. With William Gallas out injured, even the assured Mourinho could have been doubting his decision to send the England left-back Wayne Bridge on loan to Fulham last month. The moderate Del Horno, for as long as he lasted, was the sole specialist who remained yesterday.

Mourinho's immediate reflections were about reorganisation. With Geremi now on at right-back and Paulo Ferreira switched to the other flank, Mourinho utilised a 4-3-2 with his diminished manpower. Barcelona must have seen a chance to win the tie here and Chelsea sought to discourage them by retaining some threat.

Robben had even shot wide from an angle before, extraordinarily, Chelsea went ahead in the 59th minute. Lampard swept in a free-kick from the left that was diverted past the goalkeeper Victor Valdes by the knee of Motta.

An equaliser, however, was conceded through another own-goal in the 71st minute when Marquez got in front of Terry as Ronaldinho whipped in a free-kick that brushed the head of the Chelsea captain to beat Cech. After 74 minutes, Terry then had to clear from the line to stop the Barcelona substitute Henrik Larsson from scoring and later performed the same feat to thwart Ronaldinho. But in the end it was total football that decided this pulsating tie.

[Hulsey]

Thought the sending off was harsh, a booking would have sufficed imo, Geremi hand ball was not a peno as he was to close and it wasn't hand to ball, Terry's mad lunge on top of Messi was a peno, and if not the hand ball straight after he landed on him should have been . Best team won on the night and it now means Chelsea must attack in the Second leg which should lead to a great game cos Barca are fcuked if they try and defend. Can't wait !

[Roo69]

I thought Barca fully deserved there win, actually Chelsea were quite lucky that it was'nt a bigger winning margin. How the ref did'nt give a peno for Terry's fould on Messi in the 2nd half is just beyond me ! he absolutey cut through the back of him and then virtually caught the ball.......... shocking stuff

[Dodge]

And then had a go at Messi

[razor]

Another strange thing about last nights game was the fact that it was a Norwegian referee reffing the game. Lets be honest how many games in Norway are going to produce anyhting like the atmosphere/pressure/football that last nights produced. Surely its better to have experienced referees who are experiencing these type of games on a regular basis.

Is that you Ray?
Terje Hauge has reffed over 50 European games and over 20 Internationals as well as in the 2002 World Cup and in Euro2004. I'd say thats more than enough experience for last nights game. Not that Ray would know.

Justice done on Del Horno, the ball yards away he cynically took Messi out of it and then feigned injury himself so as to possibly reduce his chances of dismissal. Even saw him having a sneaky look to see where the ref was while writhing. Get Off !!
Great game and Barca were worthy winners, Terry was immense but so was Messi. Baby Ron was quiet til the last 15/20. Deliberately watched on RTE last night, would have put 5Live commentary on if I could cos Houghton sir is an idiot. quite shocked to hear of Sky Sports carry on.

[NeilMcD]

Thought the sending off was harsh, a booking would have sufficed imo, Geremi hand ball was not a peno as he was to close and it wasn't hand to ball, Terry's mad lunge on top of Messi was a peno, and if not the hand ball straight after he landed on him should have been . Best team won on the night and it now means Chelsea must attack in the Second leg which should lead to a great game cos Barca are fcuked if they try and defend. Can't wait !

There is no such rule as hand to ball.

[Hulsey]

Is that you Ray?
Even saw him having a sneaky look to see where the ref was while writhing. Get Off !!

Messi did the exact same though, he had a sneaky look before writhing to try and make sure that Del Horno did get the red card. I honestly believe that it's because it's Chelsea is the main reason for the outcry towards the tackle. It was poorly timed but was defo not a red.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah Houghton is going further down in my estimations. It just goes to show you should never meet your heroes and you should not have to put up with them being pundits either.

[Dodge]

I honestly believe that it's because it's Chelsea is the main reason for the outcry towards the tackle. It was poorly timed but was defo not a red.

There's no real outcry about the tackle, it was a standard yellow/red card tackle. The outcry is at the British media and their total bias in reporting the issue (excpet BBC 5 live apparently) It may have been a harsh red (I think he should have gone) but its not the worst decision ever. Sky made out that it was and that the ref was totally biased which is patently untrue. For Mourinho to then criticise MEssi for over reacting whikle failing to mentio Del Horno to od the same (leaving aside Robben of 2 weeks ago) just further adds to the hypocrisy

[NeilMcD]

Messi did the exact same though, he had a sneaky look before writhing to try and make sure that Del Horno did get the red card. I honestly believe that it's because it's Chelsea is the main reason for the outcry towards the tackle. It was poorly timed but was defo not a red.

But Messi was the guy who was fouled not Del Horno. Why did Del Horno go down he was the guy fouling Messi not the other way round. It was a reckless tackle and he took messi out of the game, he already had a terrible tackle in on Messi and he was trying to kick him out of the game. I am glad those tactics did not work and the footballing team one despite the failed attempts by Chelsea to make the game the battle of the Somme. The pitch was a disgrace and I would not be suprised if you see a new pitch layed this week or the next once Barcelona are out of town.

[razor]

Messi did the exact same though, he had a sneaky look before writhing to try and make sure that Del Horno did get the red card.

And that was also wrong but I think the tackle itself was worthy of a red card. It was pre meditated with no attempt to play the ball and the reason Messi wasn't badly hurt was because he saw it coming and did his best to avoid it. Del Horno was obviously peeved with Messi for having made him look like a l@nger and probably would have went sooner or later anyway.

[Clifford]

And that was also wrong but I think the tackle itself was worthy of a red card. It was pre meditated with no attempt to play the ball and the reason Messi wasn't badly hurt was because he saw it coming and did his best to avoid it. Del Horno was obviously peeved with Messi for having made him look like a l@nger and probably would have went sooner or later anyway.

Pre-meditated? Stop it now.

It was clumsy at best and as tv3 showed later on, both players bottled an impending tackle by jumping into the like girls (or gaa players in Oz), both players rolled around like girls. Both players should have been booked and sent on their merry way - end of. There will be 20 or more tackles of the same ilk this weekend and 10 might recieve yellow's the rest will be unpunished.