BRAZILIANT BARCA OUST BLUES FROM EUROPE (Sky Sports)
Barcelona 5-1 Chelsea
Chelseas European dreams were shattered by an unstoppable, Rivaldo-inspired
Barcelona after extra-time in the Nou Camp on Tuesday.
This was one of the most pulsating games of football the Spanish stadium has
seen. There were goals, skill, chances, a sending off and the World Player of
the Year missed a penalty.
If that wasnt enough, Rivaldo held his nerve to step up and convert the
second penalty his side were given.
A multi-coloured, vibrant crowd greeted Chelsea for the most important game
in their history. The cacophoney that the baying 98,000 crowd were producing was
something to behold.
Albert Ferrer, formerly a Barcelona stalwart, was booked inside the first
minute as Swedish referee Anders Frisk stamped his authority on the game from
the outset.
The Primera Liga champions were relentless in their attacking, fleet of foot
and distributing the ball at a pace that was clearly taxing Marcel Desailly and
Frank Lebeouf.
The Blues played well for the first twenty minutes but it all changed on 24
minutes when Didier Deschamps brought down Brazilan Rivaldo and his 30-yard
free-kick gave Barcelona the lead.
Louis Van Gaal was winning the tactical battle. Chelsea had to decide whether
to risk going for a goal or keeping the midfield packed and hope they wouldn't
fall prey to Barca's potent thrusts forward.
Tore Andre Flo headed a swerving cross just wide after 40 minutes to remind
the Catalan giants that Gianluca Viallis men were just one strike away from
putting one foot in the next round.
But, on the stroke of half-time, Barcelona turned the tables. Patrick
Kluivert's 20-yard shot hit the left post and Luis Figo buried the rebound from
12-yards.
After the break, Bernard Lambourde replaced the hobbling Ferrer and Dennis
Wise was booked for a clumsy challenge on Rivaldo.
Rivaldo evaded the visitors' defence to go clean through on goal after 55
minutes. However, the right leg of De Goey and a desperate Deschamps tackle
stopped him from making it three.
Wise then blasted straight at Barcelona keeper, Hesp as the Londoners started
to show the attacking form they are capable of.
The captain was then denied by a brilliant last-minute challenge from Philip
Cocu, six-yards out, as Chelsea started to take the game to Barcelona.
Tore Andre Flo gave Chelsea the edge when he scored after a terrible blunder
by Hesp. The Dutch keeper attempted to clear the ball but it fell to the
Norwegian's feet and he curled the ball round the stricken 'keeper from 15
yards.
Barcelona came back and forced a succession of corners. The screw was being
turned. Van Gaal threw Dani on and the striker was straight away in the middle
of the action.
From two flighted balls from Figo the former Real Mallorca striker first
nodded into the side-netting and then forced De Goey to make a diving save.
Dani made it third time lucky after 83 minutes from Guardiola's free-kick.
The Stadium erupted and lifted the Azulgranos* to new attacking heights.
Kluivert was picked out by Frank De Boer, brought down by Frank Leboeuf and a
penalty was awarded.
Viallis men were fortunate the referee didnt play the advantage because
Kluivert squeezed the ball home between Celestine Babayaros legs. But the
Blues were even luckier that Rivaldo missed the target with his spot-kick.
This was pure theatre. The wonderful, adrenalin-ridden knock-out phases were
back, outshining the maligned and cluttered league format that had preceded them
- and the curtain was not coming down for another 30 minutes.
Barcelona settled the tie in the first period of extra-time. Figo was brought
down in the box by Babayaro. Rivaldo stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past
De Goey.
Moments later, Patrick Kluivert headed home from ten-yards to put his side
6-4 up on aggregate against ten-men Chelsea.
De Goey pulled off a couple more excellent saves in the dying moments and
Chelsea battled but time ran out for the depleted, bedraggled Blues.
* Azulgranos = Barcelonas nickname
Barcelona: Hesp, Zenden (Dani 72), F. de Boer, Reiziger (Sergi 105),
Puyol (Abelardo 86), Cocu, Guardiola, Gabri, Rivaldo, Kluivert, Figo. Chelsea: De Goey, Babayaro, Desailly, Leboeuf, Ferrer (Lambourde 46),
Morris, Wise, Deschamps (Petrescu 102), Di Matteo, Zola (Poyet 106), Flo.
Subs Not Used: Arnau, Litmanen, Simao, Xavi.
Booked: Figo.
Goals: Rivaldo 24, Figo 45, Dani 83, Rivaldo 98 pen, Kluivert 104.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Sutton, Ambrosetti, Thome.
Sent Off: Babayaro (98).
Booked: Ferrer, Wise.
Goals: Flo 60.
Agg (6-4)
Att: 97,000
Ref: Anders Frisk (Sweden).