It was definitely a match filled with action. By two of the most superior teams in the world. YEt both were not playing to their full potential. I must admit that Petr Cech is really world class, just look at the number of reactional saves he made. And Drogba just disappoints again, missing point blank chances. Good imitation of CIsse.
There were pLenty of reaction, mostly jubilation, following Barca's win. Of course some immature comments abound and rightly so if it involves Barca being the best team in the world. I had a nice chat with Yichao on that.And duly convinced him. Despite so, it is just a waste of time pointing the obvious to the immune, so no way am I going to get drawn in any discussions at least until after my exams. Notice how no players or coaches claim a team to be the best in the world? Any one who plays a sport knows that you either win or lose and that remains the only fact in life. Because being the best means the certainty of winning before any one and any team. People do not understand the motivation and effort required when preparing and competing in a game. And to be the best does not mean having Ronaldinho in your team. People just look at results. So it can easily be Real Zaragoza if they defeat Barca this weekend.
Abit of Karma working here, when Del horno was sent off by Messi's oscar winning performance. Another spaniard with the REds, Reina was similarly red carded, when he rose his hand against Robben. And Robben was involved yesterday. Uncanny. It certainly had me sqiurming in my sofa. Yet when Terry forced the own goal out of Motta, I exploded with a cheer that woke up half my neighborhood.
With the red card, the game seemed appeared to have its decisive twist. Surely not even Mourinho and his depleted side could overcome this kind of adversity, but their stunning ability to defy the odds raised it's head again as Thiago Motta managed to divert Frank Lampard's free-kick towards goal and the game that so needed a goal had just that. It was John Terry's presence alongside Motta that inspired his mistake and the Chelsea skipper then came to the fore like never before. He has long been described as inspirational, but this was a performance that confirmed he can now be placed among the world's best centrebacks.
The ability to come on stronger in the face of overwhelming adversity is what captivated me, and I was first entranced during the same game last year. Then there were plenty of epic clashes including the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Liverpool. BUt the blues captured my imagination and there was no turning back from then. I like them not for their perfect record in the premiership, nor for their wins over Barca or Bayern or the likes. I like their swagger and their resilience. This overflowing confidence and hunger for success, hunger to win the most coveted titles in football world.
If anyone has been in an arena and realises he has to push himself physically and mentally to the max in order to challenge the opponent in front of him, then he knows how it feels like to be out there facing Barca. Anyone who understands the sport and is a sportsman will not declare his team best, for fear of exposing his own folly. No one said Liverpool or Porto are the best.
And of course I feel there is nothing to jeer about even if Chelsea is knocked out this time, so what? Try again next year! There will always be wins and losses in a competition and to believe that losing is the end of the world is silly. To judge the team on results is normal and what most people do, to look at the performance is also common, but who ever can feel and appreciates the desire and motivation of the players is truly a connoiseur of the game. I am not even confident they will retain the english title next year with Liverpool and Man U looking ready to mount a comeback.
Credit to the Barca team that came back strongly after going a goal down. Incredible attack against incredible defence. Such mouth water attacking flair, for once made me terribly uncomfortable and regrettably that Chelsea is facing them. If they do win the tie, I hope they go on and clinch the Cup with the BIG EARS.
Mourinho added this flourish to his press conference. 'I am so proud of my players, so proud of our supporters and we will go to Barcelona with real belief. We will not go there to look at a beautiful city and say what a nice time we are going to have. We will go there confident, as always.'
So any one else to predict the final score?
I dare you.
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