I have a feeling Barca will come back with a vengence in the second half though...

Chelsea need to do better in defence. 3 clear cut chances for Barca and if it wasn't for Fabregas' finishing they'd have 2 goals aleady

Right, sweepstakes on the game being turned on it's head via a referee decision?

Further proof that Valdes is the worst keeper of all time. FACT. Absolutely unworthy of the Barcelona shirt, and that's not even counting his pathetic attitude towards referees and opponents. If there has even been a more undeserving CL winner (and that too multiple times) I haven't seen it yet.

Shhhh. He looked chocked up when the camera panned at him when they were heading towards the dressing room. His record against English teams in England isn't that great, but the next 45 minutes he will be pumped up I am sure. Barcelona will come hard, they will feel that Chelsea have been riding their luck.

Valdes is a total prick. Think he fits the Barca shirt pretty well.

Nah, that will only come when they have their backs to the walls in the second leg. As happened in our game once we got the away goal

Ahh, thought so...

And it makes a hell of a difference. It definately helps Chelsea to squeeze them out in defence and apply the long ball with better efficiency.

Last time Chelsea lost a CL game at home while leading at half time: Lazio (2000)

That's another way to put it. I seen a few thugs in my time, but none bigger than Victor Valdez. Only one who can give him a run for the top spot is that Neanderthal (at least his mind is of one) is Real Madrid's Pepe. And there was a time when I used to think Materazzi was bad. These two make him look like an angel.


Exactly, I think this too could go 2-1 Chelsea's way. And then the real show will start in the 2nd legs in Spain.

Lol, what another miss from Barca! That's 4

Well played Chelsea, weren't the better side but got the job done. It's amazing what happens when the ref is fair.

Ashley Cole not the best full back in the World.

Woohoohoo, Chelsea's goal has lived a charmed life in this game

But very well played from them. Spot on on keeping them quiet. The question now is, will they be able to do the same thing in the wide open spaces of the Camp Nou?

As I said, the ref would have never stepped in here. Too early to make decisive calls. If it stays as is late on in the 2nd leg, that is when you have to watch out for the decisions going Barca's way

2nd leg will be the same - except Mikel will be sent off for nothing and Barca will be given a free penalty (or 2, if needed).

Ah, the sweet taste of success. For the first leg anyway. Chelsea's interim coach deserves big credit.

Nice bit of justice for Chelsea after 3 years ago. Hopefully that justice will prevail and they'll make the final.

From a neutral point of view, both SFs had exactly the scoreline you wouuld've wanted.

None of the guys really showed up to be honest, in terms of Xavi, Messi or Iniesta. Iniesta played an absolutely great ball through for Sanchez and they were unlucky, Cesc should have scored a couple and Busquets, well...

Can't disagree here. The two Spanish giants have been cut to size, and now it will be an even battle in the 2nd legs. That's not to say Bayern and Chelsea are going through, but at least, it's equal now.

An early goal for Chelsea at the Nou Camp at that game will be crazy.

Good game! especially the 2nd half. Chelsea played it extremely Italian but I bet no one in England will care. and to be fair Barca were really unlucky, or should I say Chelsea were lucky. they can't rely on the bar to save them in the away game anymore, and something tells me Barca will get the job done there one way or another.




You two

Right before that mistake he slipped awkwardly and injured himself a bit but I know you don't care...

Sorry, but it would have come up had we said it and it been the other way round.

The guy was really quiet tonight.

LOL, what? he was involved in 75% of everything Barca did in attack.

I can't believe you!!

You're just as biased for him as I am Cristiano the quicker you realise this the better. He lost the ball for the goal, lost the ball on a regular basis and had a few hap-hazard shots. If that were Ronaldo everyone would be saying he choked on the big occasion again but if it's Messi it's fine? Ok, whatever.

Messi was awful, same goes for Fabregas. Of the front 5 guys, only Sanchez was half decent.

At least Cristiano provided an assist against a much stronger Bayern. And that too, in a much more intimidating stadium in Germany, most other teams are awed when they visit Allianz Arena. The commentators said that Messi was having some slight groin niggles, so maybe that's one reason why he was off color.

He was so off the mark today, that after the first free kick, he did not bother taking the other two or three.

Well, OK, let's move on. I swear I will never get into this argument again!!

Sanchez had some really serious problems with his radar today. Had even one of his shot went in, the complete complexion of the match would have changed, that much is given. Agreed about Fabregas, though.

Might be wise to not instigate it next time

I think his movement was great. Him not scoring was a matter of luck rather than being bad, to hit the crossbar there was real unlucky.

Yeah can't fault him on movement. Then again, he always was good at this. Barcelona really lack a tall dark forward, someone strong who can out-muscle the defenders. That's one of their weakness. The other being suspect at the back (apart from Pique) on dead balls. And finally their monotonicity can be their undoing.

They've gotten so good at what they do, they don't have a plan B when things are not going their way.

Messi had a bright-ish game with some promising moments, but it all led to nothing. He was well snuffed out and as a result Barca, like against us, couldn't produce a lot up front. They also flubbed their lines a lot.

As said earlier here, Chelsea have learned from our display at the San Siro, and played a very sharp and wily match.

Though I saw an amusing point on Twitter: 'it's ironic that Drogba scored in added on time that he was responsible for in the first place'.

Sanchez is a terrific striker - better than Villa imo and a more adequate player up top for them. Barca got a bargain in him.

I was thinking Chelsea vs Madrid in the final would be quite a sight too. At least for Señor Mourinho.

Two posts and two sitters missed by Fabregas and Sanchez, amongst others. Chelsea were really lucky. They played the exact same game we did at the San Siro: park the bus and hit them on the counter with long balls. The only difference was that they took their chances, and we didn't. I can't see them holding on at the Camp Nou, considering the pitch size and the determination Barça will have incited by their public. But I will be cheering for them, just like I will be cheering for Bayern.

+∞. It's due time we had some different teams in the final. And what better than Bayern and Chelsea.

The most disappointing player for Barca was without a doubt Cesc! Messi was really marked within an inch of his life, thus the other players around him getting the big chances. Some of the misses from Barca were a bit shocking tbh

Still, I think they'll pick Chelsea apart in the Camp Nou. Chelsea were really able to close Barca down very well at home, and undoubtedly their pitch helped them, I was getting a bit clastrophobic just watching the game it was so tight. But Compare that to the Camp Nou, and once Barca start stretching them due the vast pitch, it could become really difficuilt for Chelsea. As happened with us. While we still managed to hold them goaless at the San Siro. And even if I'm completely wrong and Chelsea manage to completely stifle them at home, than they'll get that favour or 2 from the ref, as happened in our game once we put them under pressure with the away goal

Very good defensive game from Chelsea, especially in the second half. Having an Italian manager has it advantages Drogba overdid with all the theatrical stuff, though. I'm too would love a Chelsea - Bayern final but I think both spanish teams gonna prevail at home.

I think Barca will get the job done but Real will fail again.

I don't know, Madrid are rather strong at home. And I don't trust Bayern. As for Barça, I think they'll tear Chelsea apart.

Strong at home mostly against the crap La Liga sides (before someone jumps on my back, JUST LIKE BARCA!!). not to mention their tendency to concede early first goals. and unlike you, I very much trust German sides and their fighting spirit. I think Bayern will progress on away goals. 3-2 to Real maybe.

That said, both games can go either way.

Still believe that we'll get an all Spanish final.

I think Barca will be too much to handle for Chelsea, while Real will get the job done at home, plus they have an away goal as well

Good Read:

http://adamsummerton.wordpress.com/2012/04...ball-in-itself/

After tonight's game I'm not sure if Barca will make the final anymore...

hmm, we'll see... Barca already with 2 killer chances. They won't keep missing

And they're about to lose Cahil as well now. I think I see Bosingwa coming on. Oh my...

OMG! Chelsea are really on a lucky streak atm...

lmao, are you for fucking real?

HAHA

What did I say about the refs and them helping Barca out?

JT showing utter stupidity! He should know that such an action would count as being 10 times worse against Barca

F this sport, absolute BS. It was stupid, but really that's a red-card, really?

Valdes pretty much took out Droba in the penalty box but that's fine (not saying it was unfair) but the sport has gone mad.

Well done UEFA, you've done it AGAIN.