Didier
Drogba fired a crucial winner as Chelsea shocked Barcelona with a 1-0 triumph in
the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie at Stamford Bridge.
Reigning champions Barca had gone into the clash as favourites but Drogba's
strike on the stroke of half-time handed Roberto Di Matteo's men a remarkable
win.
The Ivory Coast frontman struck in the second minute of injury time after Frank
Lampard released Ramires down the wing, with the Brazilian feeding Drogba with a
pinpoint cross and allowing him to slot beyond Victor Valdes.
The Londoners now have a crucial advantage heading into next Tuesday's second
leg at Camp Nou, where they will hope to complete a massive upset.
Pattern
The pattern of the match was set the moment the visitors kicked off, Chelsea
allowing them possession to a point and Raul Meireles leading the pressure
behind Drogba.
From a defensive point of view, it largely worked, although the visitors should
have taken one of the chances to have fallen their way.
Luck played a part in the first of them in the ninth minute, Alexis Sanchez
chipping against the crossbar from Andres Iniesta's perfectly-timed pass.
The other two both fell to Cesc Fabregas courtesy of Lionel Messi, who was
otherwise restricted to a quiet half.
The first was a sitter, Fabregas shanking his finish after Messi's burst and
pass had set up Andres Iniesta for a shot Petr Cech parried.
Messi finally had the chance to build up a real head of steam two minutes before
half-time, Fabregas this time producing a delightful dink which was only kept
out by Ashley Cole's clearance off the line.
Otherwise Chelsea had plenty to give them hope from what little ball they had.
The benefit of going long was quickly demonstrated when only a heavy touch
prevented Drogba capitalising on Cech's clearance.
Drogba, who got away with overstepping the mark when he trod on Sergio Busquets'
foot, also failed to make the most of a one-on-one with Carles Puyol.
Long throws predictably unsettled Barca, too, and Gary Cahill almost took
advantage of the first of them.
Chelsea did tread a fine line discipline-wise, with Meireles lucky not to pick
up a booking that would see him suspended for the second leg.
"Same old Barca, always cheating," chanted the home fans whenever a Barca player
went down.
They were in good spirits despite the deluge, which may have played a part in
Drogba scoring with the final kick of the first half.
Barca were caught upfield and Frank Lampard's ball over the top sent Ramires
rampaging forward, the Brazilian's cross picking out Drogba.
Victor Valdes should have saved the scuffed finish but could only help it into
the net.
Barca were even more dominant after the restart, Cech parrying Adriano's curler
before Sanchez missed another gilt-edge chance when he stabbed Fabregas' scooped
pass wide from six yards.
Otherwise they were being kept at bay by a world-class defensive display led by
Cahill and John Terry, who were almost single-handedly keeping Messi at bay.
Pep Guardiola sent on Pedro for Sanchez with 24 minutes remaining, with Barca
becoming increasingly frustrated, not least with perceived play-acting from
Drogba, who got an earful from Puyol.
There was finally a booking when Ramires tripped Messi in full flight, Pedro
quickly following for a similar offence on Cole.
Caution
Busquets was also cautioned for scything down Ramires after Juan Mata was
withdrawn for Salomon Kalou.
Fabregas left the field to a chorus of boos for Thiago Alcantara as Chelsea
began to drop deeper and deeper, as they had done three years earlier.
Barca laid siege to the Blues goal and Cech produced a magnificent save three
minutes' from time when Puyol glanced Messi's free-kick towards the corner.
And, in stoppage-time, the visitors saved their worst finish until last,
Busquets skying high over the crossbar after Pedro's effort had hit the post.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea
Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill,
Terry, Cole, Mikel, Meireles, Lampard, Ramires (Bosingwa 88), Mata
(Kalou 74), Drogba
Subs Not Used
Turnbull, Essien, Malouda, Sturridge, Torres
Booked
Ramires, Drogba
Goals
Drogba 45
Barcelona
Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Mascherano,
Adriano, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi (Cuenca 87), Messi, Sanchez (Pedro 67),
Fabregas (Thiago 79)
Subs Not Used Pinto, Pique,
Bartra, Keita
Booked
Pedro, Busquets
Goals
Attendance
38,039
Referee
Felix Brych (Germany)
top