Chances came and went for the Catalans – Alexis Sanchez hit the bar, Cesc Fabregas skewed a shot wide with the goal at his mercy then had one cleared off the line by Ashley Cole, Messi forced a Petr Cech save from a header. It was an incredibly brave effort from Di Matteo’s men, throwing bodies, any part of their anatomies, on the line to stop the away side scoring. And just went it looked to be heading for 0-0 at the break, Chelsea struck. Frank Lampard, industrious as ever, robbed the ball from Messi and picked a pass out to Ramires who found space down Barca’s right, he squared it to Drogba who tapped home. Jubilation, but much work to do in defending such a lead.
The second half followed in much the same vein – with Barca camped in the Chelsea half. But, despite a number of great openings – a Carlos Puyol header, a Sergio Busquets sitter skied over to name but a few – Chelsea stood firm and rode it out. They remained calm, kept their shape well and were disciplined throughout. It was probably the best kind of way to play against Barcelona and, despite them being lauded as the best in the land (they are, there’s no doubt about it), they’re not invincible and Chelsea’s tactics worked surprisingly well, just. Dare they be adventurous in the Nou Camp knowing full-well that they can expect an absolute avalanche of Barcelona attacks? It wouldn’t be too wise to do so but how else can they play it? Arsenal took a lead to the same stadium last season and got roundly trounced. I would argue though that this Chelsea side have a much stronger backbone than Wenger’s Gunners of last year.
Barcelona must surely still be favourites to go through but they will have to be at their very sharpest to crack this resolute Chelsea defence. A good proportion of this Chelsea side still carry the scars from 2009 and they will not back down in Barca’s back yard without sweating blood and tissue for the cause. For some, they may see it as their last chance at European glory – Terry, Drogba and Lampard, they’re no spring chickens and it’ll take a concerted effort to snatch this opportunity from their clutches. Roll on next week and more of the same please.
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Barca created more than enough chances to win comfortably.