Final Result Result: 1-2


Match Report: Wednesday 22/02/2006 20:45 (GMT+1):Champions League 1st Leg
Chelsea FC – FC Barcelona

Stamford Bridge, London – attendance: 42.000


1-0 (Motta o.g '57)
1-1 (Terry o.g '72)

1-2 (Eto'o '80)


Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Váldes – Oleguer, Marquez, Puyol, Gio (Sylvinho '70) – Motta (Larsson '71), Edmilson, Deco (Iniesta '75), - Messi , Eto'o, Ronaldinho – Manager: Frank Rijkaard


FC Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech - Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Del Horno(red card ´39) - Gudjohnsen, Makelele, Lampard - Cole (Geremi ´40), Crespo (Drogba '48), Robben (W.Philips '77) - Manager: Jose Mourinho



Barcelona came from a goal down against ten-man Chelsea to earn a well-deserved 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on a scandalous pitch not worth to stage such a great event. This fantastic result leaves FC Barcelona with one foot in the quarterfinals.

Barça lined up as expected with Oleguer, Puyol, Márquez and Gio in defence. The midfield was toughened up by the addition of Thiago Motta alongside Edmilson and Deco with the magic attacking trio of Messi, Eto'o and Ronaldinho up front. The first half Barça was in total control of the game cautiously trying to play out the compact and tight defending Chelsea midfield. Any loss of the ball by Barça players was immediately responded by a fast counter attack, mainly by Arjen Robben over the left side.
In the 19th minute, Ronaldinho had the first clear chance of the game. A very nice combination between Messi and Eto´o set up Ronaldinho inside the box but Chelsea captain John Terry forced him to take an extra touch and the ball was cleared by Chelsea´s defence. Another great chance of the match was produced after 30 minutes and again it was Ronaldinho who forced Chelsea goal keeper Petr Cech making a great save low down to his left. At this point the possession of the ball was a staggering 62%:38% in Barça's favour. At any time of the match you did not feel that Barça had an way game because the team was master over the situation.


The weakness in the Chelsea defence was clearly on their left side. Sensational Leo Messi was all over Asier Del Horno and the Argentine striker's diagonal runs in from the right unsettled the opposite Chelsea defender.He consistently forced the frustrated Del Horno into a number of vicious tackles. One of these vicious attacks near the sideline should have been already a straight red card but the referee did not even warn del Horno. But Del Horno got what he deserved just minutes later. In the 39th minute, Messi once again took the ball down the right wing and got passed Robben when a clearly frustrated Del Horno crashed into Messi, trying to kick him badly and making no attempt to play the ball.


The referee showed the Ex-Bilbao defender a direct red card.

Mourinho immediately substituted Joe Cole to bring on Geremi, another defender. In the last seconds of the first half Geremi blocked a shot from Márquez with his arm. The arm went clearly away from the body and it should have been a penalty but the Norwegian referee Terje Hauge show to the famous spot 11 yards away from the goal. A clear penalty not given!


Chelsea come out of half time looking more aggressive now. Didier Drogba replaced Hernan Crespo to provide more physical presence up front. But when Barça started to regain their dominance Chelsea took a surprise lead in the 57th minute. Frank Lampard' free kick was deflected into his own net by unlucky Thiago Motta. Barça player Motta was under pressure of Chelsea defender John Terry and it looked like that Terry pushed Motta into the direction of the ball. It seemed to be an incorrect goal and again, like last year it was Chelsea defender John Terry who was involved in a controversial situation. FC Barcelona Rijkaard was brave enough to bring on a 4th attacker, Larsson for Motta, to put even more pressure to crack down the solid defence of Chelsea.. In the 72nd minute Barça got a well deserved equalizer and it seemed that justice was done. This time it was John Terry again, who deflected a powerful Ronaldinho free kick with his head into his own goal.
By now, Barça were on fire and stepped up a few gears. It was obvious that the catalan giant was out now to win this match at Stamford Bridge. Now Barça showed there attractive attacking style and played out the Chelsea team. Many chances had been created. Messi almost made it 1-2 just a minute later with a beautifully shot against the crossbar. Almost immediately after Larsson tried to tap in a Ronaldinho cross but John Terry cleared the ball off the line. Two minutes later Ronaldinho´s strong shot was cleared on the goal line by Chelsea´s best player John Terry. The desperate wanted lead was eninvitable: In the 80th minute of the match Rafael Márquez crossed from the left corner of the box and Barça´s top goalscorer Samuel Eto'o´s powerful header left Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Cech no chance at all. But Barça wanted even more. From this point on Chelsea FC was under continous pressure by the Blaugrana and the Blues defended desparately but managed to hang on to their 1:2 until the final whistle.


My comment: As already predicted in our match preview Leo Messi was the man to watch on for me the “Man of the Match”. His skillful runs from the right into the Chelsea box were spectacular and left Del Horno frustrated. He forced Del Horno to very vicious tackles several time and the refereree Terje Hauge had no other chance than to show the Chelsea defender a straight red card. Messi was a handful this evening and played with his opponents. Many clear chances have been initiated by the fast Youngster who could have scored himself several times. A great performance on this evening from the Argentine international and if Chelsea have not known him before, they know him now!

The 2-1 victory gives Barca a great opportunity to proceed to the next round. The job is not finished yet but with a performance like this we will see our Barça Team playing the Final in Paris in May 2006. Chelsea must now score twice in the Nou Camp in the second leg on Tuesday March 7. A hurdle to big to take. I am sure that 100,000 Barça fans will celebrate in the Camp Nou on this evening!
Visca el Barça!