Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea: Camp Nou Stunned!
Posted by Blue Champion in Champions League, Chelsea | 4 November 2006
So the record remains! Barca are yet to beat Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in a game of 11 vs 11. If the last match was a warning to the rest of Europe on the shift of power from Barca to Chelsea, this match just confirmed it. Last time, Barca played poorly (credit to our defence as well) and Ronaldinho played poorly (credit to Khalid) and we beat them. This time, Barca played well and Ronnie too was impressive but still they couldnt beat us at Camp Nou.
It was quite an ill-tempered match with too many disruptions which only impacted Barca’s style of play. The referee was poor and he was too easily influenced by the Barca players and it looked that the stage was much too big for his capabilties. Everytime a foul was committed by a Chelsea player, most of the Barca team crowded around the referee, waving hands to signal cards and so well they have mastered the art, they were very successful in that. It was Camp Nou and four Chelsea players were booked by the end of first half. I was kind of sure that the Barca artists would have one or two of us get sent off in the second half. Thankfully not.
Captain John was cleary unhappy at Barca’s card tricks:
"It’s a shame when you see world-class players trying to get others booked. Maybe Barcelona feel a bit threatened by us. They were under pressure from their own fans going into the game after losing at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.
They are a great side, but we are not too sure why they are so cynical. They were waving cards in the referee’s face and it’s disappointing when he falls for it. He gave everything their way, but the lads stuck together right to the end. We showed them what we are really like as a team.
With the referee against us and everyone against us, we were the better side."
Hilario got a taste of Champions League football when Deco drove past him for a beautiful goal. There was nothing much he could have done for a shot like that. In fact, not many keepers would have saved that. And then Eidur scored a very good reaction goal tapping a brilliant cross from Ronaldinho. Unfortunately both these goals came from the defensive errors by Boulahrouz. He did mark the world player of the year out of the match last time. But this time, Ronnie got the better of him.
Ashley Cole was spot on and probably he played his best match for Chelsea so far. He was able to keep Messi quiet for a greater part of the match which I thoroughly relished. Terry was as always the best. I can keep talking about Essien - his game sense, his defence, his tackles, his quick counterattacks - he is such an asset and I’m sure he is Jose’s delight.
We created more goal scoring opportunities and he had closer chances, couple of them were so close that would have had Rijkaard’s heart thumping. It never looked like we were playing away at Camp Nou. We had the upper hand and had Barca on their toes.
And the goals! Lampard’s goal was just amazing piece of skill and it was just out of the world. Well, if it was scored by a Barca player, it would have been hailed as the goal of the season or the goal of this Champions League. Lampard showed why he is the best scoring midfielder in the world. From how many midfielders would you expect this kind of composure and finish! All have to agree that Barca, their supporters and the 90,000 fans in the Camp Nou were all stunned.
Lamps sees that Chelsea have grown psychologically and mentally stronger now:
"You have to have the character to say `give me the ball and I can play.’ Last year we didn’t quite have that, we were a bit in awe of them maybe. “But this time we stood up and if we’ve matured in that way then great."
3 minutes left in the match with Chelsea trailing 1-2 and Barca had already shut the doors. Here comes the magician who was unjustly red carded here in Camp Nou two seasons back. He had a score to settle.
There was a classic set up for this wonder goal. Essien made a sharp cross with vision from to the omnipresent John Terry, who neatly headed the same to Drogba. The man of the moment, Didier Drogba, is certainly having the season of his career. The way he chest-pushed the ball to avoid Marquez before he slotted home, told us how much he has improved and also on his ever increasing self-confidence. Once again Camp Nou was stunned and shocked.
Hats off to Jose, who had the faith in Drogba and persisted with him despite his umpteen missed chances in the past seasons and public criticisms. Many didnt like it, but I just loved the touchline celebrations of Jose after this equaliser. I love the way he displays his passion and his oneness with the team.
Credit to Jose for developing this winning mentality in the team and making a team of champions who came back twice from behind at Camp Nou and who did not lose faith even in the stoppage time and were ready thump home the equaliser and to stop the Catalan hearts.
In the middle of all this high-tension moments, only one man retained his sense of humour. Frank Rijkaard stormed into the pitch after the match and he had to calmed down and stopped by Puyol and Edmilson in his efforts to politely thank the referee for his participation. What a joke! He nearly got himself banned for a couple of matches in his enthusiasm in thanking the referee.
Over two legs, home and away, Chelsea without Cech and Cudicini, Barca without Eto’o (of course with the best player of the world), with no red cards to either sides, Chelsea was certainly a better team than Barca. Period.
Want to see the goals of Lampard and Drogba and the 10-minute video highlights - click bluechampions
