SoccerAmerica - Chelsea shuts down Messi again 04/19/2012

[VIDEO PICK] Didier Drogba's goal two minutes into first-half stoppage time was the difference as Chelsea edged Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League series. The goal came shortly after Lionel Messi was hurt. On the play leading to the goal, Messi was stripped of the goal, setting off a Chelsea counterattack that ended with Drogba's goal. Alexis Sanchez and Pedro both hit the woodwork for Barcelona.

Trivia. Messi has yet to score in seven games against Chelsea.

Chelsea Reaction. "I am very pleased with this result but it is only halftime. Nothing has been decided yet and we need to play another game like this one if we are going to get through. You know what to expect when you play in the Nou Camp. It is going to be very difficult and we still have to believe we might get a goal out there." -- Coach Roberto di Matteo.

Barcelona Reaction. "I would say the favorites are now Chelsea because winning 1-0 at home is a very good result for them." -- Coach Pep Guardiola.

The second leg. Tuesday April 24 in Barcelona.

(Click here for Chelsea-Barcelona highlights.)

4 comments

Ric Fonseca

commented on: April 19, 2012 at 1:05 p.m.

Chelsea was indeed a very lucky team, and it seems that about the only few highlights they showed was their stingy ability and play bunker mentality soccer. OK, can't blame them for protecting their 1-0 lead and win, BUT, to see such negativism and only consider counter attacking the opponent, made it for wanting more from them. And consider, had Barcelona capitalized their shots on goal and had not hit the cross pieces, posts, or had near-goal line clearances, the score could very well had been at least 2-1 if not 3-1 or even 4-1. Lastly, the last time I saw so many Spaniards sprawled on the ground was during the WC final, i.e. Chelsea's tactics seemed to favor the hard tackles and to disrupt Barce's flow. As for next week, it will be an excellent match, but I don't fully agree with Coach Pep's statement that Chelsea is the favorite.... a little of mental jousting perhaps in preparation for next Tuesday? I'd say, Barcelona will win...

Gak Foodsource

commented on: April 19, 2012 at 9:14 p.m.

Disappointing stuff from the Italian, Di Matteo. Sad to see Drogba diving about, or Ivanovic hurling long throw-ins into the box.

Roose Crandel

commented on: April 19, 2012 at 10:54 p.m.

You know, Drogba diving is no different than Barca hacking at any Chalsea player anytime they had the look of a breakaway. And just how the hell is a long throw dishonorable. The Spanish side is physically and mentally weak, and it showed. We're they good for a goal?? Probably. But you can't settle from so many attempts from outside the box against Peter Cech...Pep knows that. And Barca lacked the grit and the guile to manufacture a goal. You saw the difference between intelligent defending and Spanish defending on Drogba's goal. All of Barca's back line freaked out and sprinted over towards the ball carrier and left Drogba unmarked for a clean strike. If anyone of those 3 defenders would have covered Drogba they would be tied at 0 heading to the Nou Camp. If you think Ivanovic hurling long balls into the box is dishonorable or something, than you've obviously never played a day of football in your life.

Gak Foodsource

commented on: April 21, 2012 at 12:26 p.m.

I will stand by the fact that playing for Petr Cech goal kicks, punts, Terry clearances, and Ivanovic throw-ins is dishonorable stuff indeed, particularly with a squad as expensive and talented as Chelsea's. That doesn't mean I've never played a day in my life, it just means I'm not British. Barcelona has a lapse at the back every match, mostly because they throw everyone forward. They don't mind giving up a goal if it means they can score 5. And if it weren't for exceptionally poor and finishing from Cesc and Sanchez, Chelsea wouldn't even need to make the trip to the Camp Nou. 99 times out of 100, Chelsea loses the way they played in that game. And on the topic of Barcelona hacking - I saw one yellow to Busquets for disrupting a counter attack, and I saw two fouls by Mascherano for his usual Argentine style of defending. If Chelsea had ever left their half perhaps Barca would have had more opportunities to kick. Drogba spent 3 and a half minutes on the ground in that game, and should have been carded for diving.

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