A Case of the Blues

By Chase Hobert | 7th May 2009

A Case of the Blues | read this item

Related News

drogba-defeat After all was said and done at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, one thing was certain: the game was as entertaining as it was hyped up to be.

The game was dominated in possession by Barcelona, but in opportunities by Chelsea. Michael Essien set the pace for Chelsea, with a majestic strike in the 9th minute. A cross from Frank Lampard was deflected directly into the path of Essien. He struck the ball directly out of the air, a perfect full volley, and it went directly into the upper left corner of the goal, over the outstretched arm of Victor Valdes. As Tommy Smyth stated, “99 out of 100 times that shot would end up in row Z.” But, Essien chose the right time to hit it perfectly as Chelsea fans rejoiced.

The middle of the game was defined by its high-intensity. Chelsea was able to come up with chance after chance, despite Barcelona’s dominant possession. The Chelsea attack forced the Barcelona defense and Norwegian referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo, into an array of difficult decisions. Chelsea’s Florent Malouda was brought down in what appeared to be the penalty area. However, the official called the foul just outside the box, to the disagreement of Chelsea fans everywhere. With their 1-0 lead, though, they were content with this dangerous free kick opportunity. Valdes saved the free kick from Drogba and the game went on…

In the 52nd minute, a great build up and pass from Nicolas Anelka put Didier Drogba into a one-on-one situation with Valdes, but Valdes proved his class with a timely kick save.

In the 55th minute a tackle in the box from Yaya Toure brought more controversy. Although Toure made solid contact with the ball, it was plain to see he was holding Drogba’s arm the whole way. Chelsea would wait for their next opportunity to score.

Eric Abidal received a straight red card in the 65th minute for his alleged tripping of Anelka as he was in at goal. Replays showed little contact – however without the trip it would have been a clear cut chance on goal.

MID GAME EVALUATION & REFLECTION

On the Barcelona attack, it was clear that Dani Alves, with his pitiful crossing, was as much a reason for Barcelona’s lack of chances as the Chelsea defense was. Countless times, Alves sent balls over the cross bar, out for goal kicks, or even throw ins up until this point in the game. On top of that Florent Malouda was winning the battle between the two, and Alves received a yellow card for his flagrant challenges.

I remember noting that the only Barcelona player, contributing positively to the attack was Andres Iniesta. The midfielder was drawing fouls and not squandering attacks or losing the ball, which was enough for me to note his contribution. Still, he was not a problem for the Chelsea defense… at the time.

At this point in the match, a full hour after Essien’s goal, my naivety as a Chelsea fan set in. With Chelsea dominating the game, I found myself thinking about all the club has been through this year. Between the switching of managers, whether to play Anelka or Drogba… or both, and finally injuries to key players like Joe Cole. And look at them now! Dominating one of the best teams in the world. It was my proudest moment as a Chelsea fan in the past year.

With close to ten minutes left in regular time, Anelka and Toure ended up on the ground in the penalty area again, with shouts for a penalty by Anelka. The official would have none of it. Minutes later there was a blatant handball in the box by Barcelona defender, Gerard Pique. Still no penalty was awarded.

Then, five minutes into stoppage time, the unthinkable happened. A perfect set up pass from Lionel Messi lead to a beautiful shot into the upper right corner by Andres Iniesta to tie the match 1-1. The away goal would prove enough to push Barcelona into the final to be played in three weeks in Rome.

It was only fitting that two minutes later another handball in the box was ignored by the official, to complete the display of his refusing to award Chelsea a penalty kick, which was easily deserved at this point in the match.

Although this game left me and Chelsea, maybe even football, supporters everywhere with a bad taste in their mouth, there are a few things to recognize. Anything can happen in football and that is why we love the game. 99 out of 100 times Essien misses his shot. 99 out of 100 times Barcelona is unable to come up with a goal so late in the game, against the flow of play. And finally, 99 out of 100 times the referee calls a penalty given all of his opportunities to. However, despite the unlikelihood of these three events occurring in the same game… it happened.

So Barcelona will move to Rome and Chelsea will try to salvage something out of their disappointing season in the FA Cup.

And, we will all keep watching football because this is the drama we live for. It’s simply– irresistible.

Did Chelsea deserve to go through? Penalty or not a penalty? Have your say in the comments section below!

GP says:

May 7, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Tommy,
I am sorry I have to disagree with you completely. The handball at the end was NOT intentional, how about the fact that Barcelona played 30 Minutes a MAN down and Chelsea did not capitalize. That red card was completely uncalled for and Barcelona played a much better game. Very deserved of their place in the Final. I do not aprreciate your bias in the champions league game.

Reply to this Comment