CHAPTER 315: ~ FORÇA BARÇA - FOR VICTORY IN ROMA!!! ~

" What is ahead is so beautiful, that we cannot stop now. "
- Josep Guardiola

---

---

GET READY.

CHAPTER 287: Post UCL Quarter-Finals Draw

Barcelona – Bayern Munich
Ahh…… the tie that I wanted for Barcelona, and it was the only tie that I predicted correctly (haha).
Anyway, even though Barça has not beaten the German side in the previous ties between the two clubs, I feel that it’s time that Barça breaks this tradition. Besides, Barcelona has been winning over German clubs in the Champions League this past few years (Werder Bremen, Stuttgart, Schalke) so I believe that the good gust of win over German opposition could continue for Barcelona.

Liverpool – Chelsea
I cannot believe that this tie is happening yet again.
How many more matches are these two going to play against each other? I think fate is waiting for both Pool and Chelsea to play against each other in the different stages of the competitions. So far they’ve met in the group stages, semi-finals and now they’re going to play in the quarter-finals. Maybe they’ll meet each other again next season in the second round of the CL.
I think Hiddink can conjure up a tough battle for Benitez.

Villareal – Arsenal
Arsene Wenger vs Manuel Pellegrini, Round 2.
I think Arsenal (with Wenger) can overcome Villareal yet again, and they do have the second home leg advantage.
Perhaps the less ‘glamorous’ tie of the quarterfinals, but maybe it has the potential to be among the best attacking matchups of out of the four games.

Manchester United – Porto
It seemed as if the path to the final had been laid out for United.
They definitely looked like having the easiest path to Rome among the teams, and many are already seeing them in Italy come end of May.
Here’s hoping for Porto to bring out some surprises.

And as for Barça…..
Now that the draws have been made, we can now see the path that each team would be taking if they want to end up in Rome on the 27th May 2009.
No doubt Barça has a very difficult path indeed. Bayern now, and then if they succeed there’s then the challenge of either Liverpool or Chelsea (not easy indeed).
The big issue from this draw (especially the difficulty and the severity of the challenge) can be pointed out by these factors:
• In both quarter-final and the probable semifinal games Barça will be playing at home first (no 2nd leg advantage),
• These crucial CL games (especially the semi finals, should Barça make it that far) is going to be sandwiched between a crucial period in the league, especially so that the second edition of the Tourmalet is coming up late April-early May!!

It’s going to be one hell of a ride of a season, and all hope for a victorious and glorious Barça!
¡Vamos!

CHAPTER 253: Congratulations Messi & Xavi

“ If Cristiano Ronaldo is the first, second and third best player in the world, then Messi must be the forth then. ” – Josep Guardiola

As a Barcelona fan, I would like to congratulate Messi and Xavi on their nominations and placing in the FIFA World Player of the Year award for 2008.
With Messi on second and Xavi on fifth, it’s a good individual achievement for both players. And the fact that both are La Masia products makes it more proud and honored for any supportive Barcelona fan.

What I don’t really get is how Kaka was in the nominations of the top 5.
Cristiano Ronaldo might be the winner, but Messi himself is making a statement this season and if all goes well, he’ll be the crowned winner next time around. Here’s hope to it!
I also want to add that, before Ronaldo, Kaka won the award for 2007. When Kaka won, it was perhaps based on his Champions League performance, and at that 2006-2007 season Kaka won the Champions League (1). Cristiano Ronaldo was instrumental for Man Utd last season, 42 goals and he won the double, both Premier League title and the Champions League (2).
Now, if we’re looking at the pattern, Messi would win for year 2009, and do it by being victorious in all three of La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League (3)!
Hahaha!!! Here’s hoping!!!

~ Image source: Mundo Deportivo ~

CHAPTER 233: What The .......Aguero Signed??!

" The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving. "- Oliver Wendell Holmes


Screenshot from SPORT & Mundo Deportivo website

This is a frikkin' crazy development. It's all over the main Barça papers. Seems that reports from Argentina states that Sergio Agüero is going to don the Blaugrana colours next season. This is just unreal. If it happens, no doubt it's gonna be fantastic on all levels (and seeing the probable Messi-Kun connection!). But let's things cool down, for me it just seems something that's too good to be true and too good to trust. Nonetheless, if the news is true, then it seems that Barcelona have decided to pick on Agüero over Benzema as the big 'crack' signing. Although Agüero would definitely an exciting and super prospect, but I myself would still absolutely want to see Benzema at Barça himself. If only we can get both......(!)...

CHAPTER 186: To Resign Or Not To Resign, That Is The Question

f“ A vote for No is a vote for freedom. ” - Joan Laporta

image source: www.fcbarcelona.com

Joan Laporta has survived Futbol Club Barcelona’s Vote of No Confidence.

The problem?
The club’s citizens are no longer convinced with Laporta (as with the amount of voters who wanted him ousted out), and his former team which includes Soriano and Ingla are no longer with him. And now the club’s impending elections in several years coming will further boils to more added strain on the club’s welfare. And Sandro Rosell (and other, whomever aspirants for the control of Barcelona’s future) will no doubt play some roles in these factors. The division is total and complete, and this football club once again has it’s stand and future on the brink of disruptive order and anarchy, with a big pessimistic sense of collapse and gloom for fighting for trophies, victories and reputation.

The biggest pressure of Futbol Club Barcelona’s ostensible success in the upcoming La Liga season is now fully pressed upon Josep Guardiola, his supporting team and of course, on the players themselves.
It makes further point that Laporta’s decision to hire Guardiola could become his biggest risk taking decision (one that would crucially mounted on not only his future as president but also on that of the club).
A risk that, for the entire period of his presidency of the club could either be one of the most folly mistakes he’ll ever make,……. or one of the most momentous judgment ever.

CHAPTER 108: Something Special

"What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose." - Andre Agassi

What a goal. What a goal.

---

---
Image source:~ elentorno.com

CHAPTER 97: Ronaldinho Must Raise the Tempo

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” - Alexander the Great

Living life, it's difficult to live.
But more so if you are Ronaldinho, it's even harder than most of us mortals would know.

The past few months, ever since the World Cup (perhaps even from the moment when the final of last season’s Champions League was contested), a lot of issues have been raised concerning the form and performance from the player who had been heralded as the best footballer for the past two years by FIFA. Ronaldinho it seems (to some people), has not been putting much effective gameplay especially in Barcelona’s attack. There are still showcases of skills and as well as showboating moves, but not really making moves that greatly daunts the opposition players.

First in discussing about Ronaldinho, there is not much important matter to begin with than mentioning Ronaldinho’s form.

It’s virtually evident that his performances during the past World Cup does not even need to be mentioned. As surely any football fans would know and bring up their own analysis as to why the Brazilian did not shine (albeit that one of the factors being Parreira mis-tactically deployed him in the Selecao’s formation).
For me, I think that fatigue would be one of the reasons as to why Ronaldinho’s form had dipped. Coming from an exhaustive season last season with Barça (where Ronaldinho’s presence and exploits throughout the season was very important in the success of the club), and with the World Cup happening and Barcelona’s pre-season tour in the USA, for sure it’s has taken a toll on Ronaldinho. And not forgetting the World Cup itself, for sure emotionally it dismayed Ronaldinho himself………
Personally, I find it alarming that the Brazilian still has not been effective in football yet for Barça.
In official games, ranging from the conclusion of last season’s club games, to the World Cup up until the beginning of the new football season, the only outstanding piece of individual play from Ronaldinho (for me), was the goal he scored against Levski Sofia (which was a nice goal by the way). Other than that, he didn’t (or couldn’t) score a goal in the World Cup, and he’s not been impressive in the important games that Barcelona has played this season (especially in the defeat to Sevilla in the European Super Cup and recently in the 1-1 draw against Valencia in La Liga. There’s also the 1-1 draw Barça managed to muster against Werder Bremen).

I think that it is true that Ronaldinho had come out to the press these past few weeks stating that’s he’s ‘not a machine’. It’s a very true statement (no one can be the best or show he’s the best all the time, that’s just impossible), but it’s just that there’s so many pressure on Ronaldinho to always deliver the best for both club and country.
Which brings to the second point…….pressure.
Anyhow, I don’t want to dwell much on this point. Everybody professional footballer (or sportsman) will have to overcome pressure anyway and at any point or situation, and I’m sure that in the case of Ronaldinho, and him being Ronaldinho, he’s got the class and repertoire to bring himself back up again in the game (as there’s a saying that goes in football, “form is temporary, class is permanent”). The only question is when will he rise up again…..
The last point that I want to bring up regarding Ronaldinho’s deteriority in performance is perhaps he has lost a lil’ bit of drive in football. I mean, maybe the paychecks he’s been getting from Barça, Nike and all the other sponsors of his is getting fatter, that could have clouted his mind and in turn hinders his gameplay. Then there’s the talk from some newspapers stating that during the World Cup, Ronaldinho sneaked off his bed time from Brazil’s hotel just to meet up with his girlfriend (as well as the story that he’s too hooked up on Playstation). And let’s not forget that at his current point in his footballing career, Ronaldinho has already achieved among the highest honors in world football. The World Cup, the Champions League, being a Spanish League champion, also having a Copa America’s winners’ medal. And there’s also the glory of being awarded FIFA World Footballer of the Year two years running, and also being awarded the Ballon D’or last year. Could all of these matters affected Ronaldinho negatively?
Alas, only Ronaldinho himself knows. The press and we football or sporting fans can only speculate.
Anyhow, how he had been ‘deteriorating’ over the past few months, it would tamper with the chances of Ronaldinho being awarded the individual wards come the end of this year (where basing on the last World Cup, I think Cannavaro and Zidane seems to be the front runners).

Whatever it is, it’s crucially imperative that Ronaldinho must raise the tempo. For Barcelona, for Brazil, for his supporters, and also for the good of football. I believe that now Frank Rijkaard has got an important role in making Ronaldinho positive again (and I think that he done rightfully done so by defending Ronaldinho in the press).

Rijkaard would be an important figure to get Ronnie back on track

And judging from Brazil’s recent match against Ecuador, ‘Ronnie’ shown some glimpses of his old self. An assist to Kaka, and having freekicks that hit the crossbar twice, hopefully it would spur the rise of Ronaldinho again.
Beginning this weekend, it will be a very, very tough schedule for Futbol Club Barcelona, as there’s the important matches coming forward (beginning with the game against Sevilla at Camp Nou, following with the ‘mega’ clashes against Chelsea midweek at Stamford Bridge and against Real Madrid at the Bernabeau on next weekend), and there’s no better time or crucial moment for Ronaldinho to strut his stuff and magic again for Barça.
With Samuel Eto’o out for a lengthy period of time, therefore it is of utmost importance that Ronaldinho plays out an enormous part in Barça’s attack, as for now, the impetus and major inspiration of the attack would need to be brought out by the Brazilian.
This coming few months will surely see some of the toughest moments that Ronaldinho Gaucho would have to face, both for club and country, but its all part and parcel of being a great footballer.

If all goes well, you can be sure that when he’s back at his best and delivering the footballing zest of his, that buck-toothed smile of his will be on TVs and newspapers pictures worldwide once more.


~ Image sources: SPORT, elentorno.com

*** Check out My Sportingo article of this Chapter: Enigma of a Brazil-iant talent

CHAPTER 94: UNICEFCB

" Més que un club. "

It is done.
Joan Laporta and his team already sealed the deal with UNICEF. From now on (for the next five years that is), the shirt of Futbol Club Barcelona will now have the UNICEF logo emblazoned on it.

Never before in the 107 history of the club, has the shirt of the football club ever had any image of such kind (company logos,…etc.) been adorned on the shirt. The tradition…..will now cease to ‘exist’ when Barcelona begin the defense of the European Cup this coming Tuesday at Camp Nou against Levski Sofia (the first match to kick off the Champions League).

………mixed reactions definitely. IMO, having UNICEF is the best thing to do if the tradition was to be broken. It will definitely be better for the club to have the shirt tainted for the first ever time with a logo of UNICEF, instead of the previously proposed Olympics ‘Beijing 2008’ or the betting company ‘Bet&Win’
(and I believe no such deal like this had been struck before by any club).

Anyhow, what’s done is done. The shirt sponsorship was always one of the agendas of Joan Laporta since he ran for presidency of the club, as one of the means to help the club get rid of the grave financial debt that the club had been in that time, and the socios voted for him and agreed with it.
It’s definitely mixed reactions. Some applauds it, some don’t, preferring that the tradition lives on.

Although it must be said that the deal done is a good deal (Barca providing financial means to UNICEF), it also raises some concerns from some Barcelonistas. There are some from Xtratime who felt that this move by Laporta is just a stepping stone for the club to eventually get a real shirt sponsorship deal in the future. It does bring mixed perceptions and opinions.

Whatever it is, the moment would be one of the most historic days of the club.
Visca el Barca.

• Futbol Club Barcelona, UNICEF team up for children in global partnership
• FC Barcelona-UNICEF alliance kicks off with help for children affected by HIV

CHAPTER 73: Futbol Club Barcelona - 2006 European Champions

"......I'll remember this forever, it was a special season." - Mitch Mustain

------

------

CHAPTER 63: ¡SI, SI, SI...... NOS VAMOS A PARIS!

"The world of tomorrow belongs to the person who has the vision today."

- Robert Schuller

Au final!

Futbol Club Barcelona has made it to the final of the Champions League! After a tense 0-0 draw, it was enough to edge past AC Milan and book that final ticket to the pinnacle of European football.
Just like last week, it was a great all around performance from the team. Perfect in defence, and Barça had some chances at goal, but Dida last night was just too good (saved good chances from Eto’o and a bullet diving header from Larsson late on the second half). Camp Nou itself was fantastic, fully packed just like on a great Europena night. Splendid atmosphere throughout (fans did their job).

It was heavily tensioned throughout the entire match, and I couldn’t sit still and keep calm, especially during the last 20 minutes or so. ‘cause with Milan, they can score at any moment.

And they did. A Shevchenko header. But it was ruled out oddly controversially from Markus Merk.
But Barça was the better team, more chances, and they break down Milan on a great number of occasions. Me, I single out Iniesta, Puyol, Marquez, and Edmilson as among those who performed superbly for Barça last night! Of course, everybody did great, the team effort was phenomenal. The best thing was both Puyol and Marquez came unschathed of suspension, so they would be ablt to contest in the final.

Now, Arsenal awaits Barcelona…..and I can’t wait. The segunda Copa Europa is getting closer and closer……..

¡Visca el Barça!

Sources: FCBarcelona.com, SPORT, El Mundo Deportivo, Yahoo, & various

CHAPTER 62: 90 More Minutes to Paris...........just 90 more minutes..........

“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.” - Edward Vernon Rickenbacker

When you’re nervous, and anxiety sets in, I believe that the expression being used is “Butterflies in stomach”.
But now I think there’s a new expression for that. “I’m sh-tting bricks.” (Xtratime influnced)
With all sorts of bad premonitions that looks like Milan can nick it tonight, I’m really am uncomfortable. Can bloody sit still and feel relaxed. Arghhhh.

*******************

CHAPTER 56: The Path to Paris ........Il Rossoneri awaits

"Who dares, wins." - SAS

It’s set.

This coming Tuesday (or the early morning of Wednesday in Asia), the titanic tussle between AC Milan and FC Barcelona will take place. It’s the semi-finals of the Champions League, and there’s nothing as bigger than that yet.

For Frank Rijkaard and his team, this will be the biggest test yet of the season. And for every Barcelonistas around the globe……..it will be another point in time where we all we’ll be cheering hard and hoping desperately as possible that los Blaugranas can make it…….yet at the same time the game is on we all be in a state of desperation, nervousness and uncontrollable tension. It’s the muthafu-kin’s semifinals man, the prize of being victorious here is that a date with the final of the competition itself, where the European Cup awaits:

It’s going to be an interesting and intriguing tie, foremost ‘cause both teams have locked horns before last season in the group stages, where both matches were some of the best last season (Milan winning it at San Siro 1-0, while Barça winning at Camp Nou 2-1). Top, top quality.

And more so interesting because this will be a match where Rijkaard will confront his former team once again, and he will duel out again against his former teammate at Milan, Carlo Ancelotti. Two ex-Milan players (ex Milan legends) spearheading their team into the final of the Champions League…….stuff that scripts of a blockbuster movie entrails all this extravaganza of football of the highest order.

For me, this clash of the big boys will be as hard but even harder than the one faced up against Mourinho’s Chelsea. This is (personally), Milan is a better team than Chelsea.

Theirs is one that consists of not only a great football team, but that also consists of great individuals in every department of their team. Milan has a great depth in their squad, and the experience that most of their players possess is what makes them more dangerous. It’s gonna be a great spectacle when you look at the battles that will occur on both the turf of San Siro (this Tuesday) and Camp Nou (next Wednesday).

The Giuseppe Meazza stadium, or more famously known around the world as San Siro, will be the fortress of AC Milan that Barcelona will have to visit first in this semifinal clash. And it’s a fortress as Milan has not yet been defeated at their home ground this season in Europe, and what more with the records and showing that they have shown at their home ground this season (example, the 4-1 beating of Bayern Munich in the second round and their last quarter-finals match against Lyon where they scored two late, late goals to clinch a place for the semifinals). It’s not going to be easy that’s for sure, and it’ll be as hard as hell to break down that Milan defense.

Milan got Dida guarding their goal. And he’s as big as Petr Chech. Ever since the last World Cup had been concluded, Dida has become Brazil’s first choice keeper and he’s shown to be a top class keeper, easily among the top 6 keepers in the world right now.

It’s gonna be tough for Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Giuly and co to score past him, what more with the back four of Milan guarding Dida in front of him.

It’s gonna be tough for Barça to slice trough the Milan defense, which is one of the best in the business. They got top class defenders, and well experienced defenders. Headed by their eternal captain Paolo Maldini (one of the best left-backs ever to feature in the game of football, no doubt), you got guys like Nesta, Stam, Cafu, Alsseandro Costacurta marshalling the Milan goal. Alongside them, there’s also Serginho and Khaka Kaladze to name a few. These guys‘re all the have been there, done that, and these guys have defended against some of the best attackers in the business for the past years in their illustrious careers. Champions in every right (what with the wealth of experience and expertise that they pose).

The only thing is that, these guys are older than most of the Barça players themselves, and all are getting older more so. For instance, Maldini is like 37, Stam and Cafu all above 30 already, Nesta’s near 30, and Costacurta is 40!

Milan's great (aging) wall of defence: (L-R) Maldini, Costacurta, Nesta, Stam, Cafu

I feel that even though they are tough in defense, if the Barça attack can be quick enough and faster than Milan on the break, Barça can cause trouble on their back line. Milan’s defense themselves have been broken big time before in Europe. One just have to look at the final last year (where after leading Liverpool 3-0 in the first half, only to concede three to Gerrard’s team in six minutes). Then there’s that amazing comeback from Deportivo la Coruna two seasons ago, where they reversed a 4-1 margin of Milan by making it 4-0 against the Rossoneri at La Riazor and thus dumping Milan out!!.

Then you got the midfield. As always in football, it’s in the midfield where a football game can be won or lost.

Milan’s got an excellent playmaker in Andrea Pirlo (‘Inter Milan reject’). This guy is the one who orchestrates the passes from the defense to the Milan forward. He’ll be coming up against Iniesta from Barcelona no doubt (who has come up and performed well in the recent matches), the battle of the pivots that will be making those crucial passes and dictations of the game.

One thing to mention about Pirlo (when comparing to Iniesta) is that unlike Iniesta, this guy is very good at set-pieces, especially freekicks. He scored a cracker against Schalke at the San Siro last year (in their group stage matches). The difference with Iniesta is that at Barcelona, the set-pieces are usually taken by Ronaldinho. If not Ronnie, then you got Deco….Van Bronckhorst…Marquez….Motta……so Iniesta’s not even on the list (so many kickers for Rijkaard to select from). But it will be interesting to see how these two perform for their respective teams in the two matches.

Besides Pirlo, there’s the ‘Rhino’, Ivan Genaro Gattuso. Gattuso is one of the best defensive midfielders in the business. He’ll be tackling like mad, and even though he’s not that tall, this guy’s very robust and tough, plus he got the looks of a dangerous man!

It’s gonna be another interesting spectacle to see him coming up and double teaming on Ronaldinho (that’s for sure, no doubt). Either Ronnie gonna make him look like a fool, or he’s gonna break the legs of the Brazilian.

And when you look at their attack, one that has Kaka and Shevchenko in it (amongst Inzaghi, Gilardino, Seedorf, etc.) ……..you’re looking at an attack that can score at any time, at any place, no matter what’s the circumstances are.

Kaka, when going up, is just as dangerous as Ronaldinho. This player can cause havoc against any defense in the world, he’s that good. Another Brazilian hotshot, he’s very crucial for Milan. He’s got pace, good shot, trickery and vision. It’s gonna be tough for whoever the defensive lynchpin that Rijkaard will choose to contain Kaka (most probably Edmilson). ‘Cause by at least shutting out Kaka in the game, Milan’s effectiveness of scoring would be less. But it will be difficult, and everytime Kaka would get the ball,….. it’s gonna be damn ANXIOUS when he be running with it!.

But this Milan side is not complete without their star man…….their distinctive number 7. Andrey Shevchenko. Who for me,… is the best striker in the world.

Shevchenko’s the ever present hitman of this Milan side. Shevchenko possesses everything a striker’s repertoire should have, good shots, precise and clinical finishing, he gets into position so he can receives the passes from his teammates well, he’s equally good with his feet as well as with his head, his got a hunger for winning everytime he plays, he’s fast, and…….he scores plenty of goals (no matter up against who). That’s why, I think, Shevchenko’s the best striker in the world at present.

Eto’o could learn a lot from the Ukrainian. Even though Eto’o has been impressive ever since he joined Barça, but he still miss some chances (easy chances sometimes). Some more, when it comes to finishing, he‘s not as clinical as Shevchenko is (or as Henry, or even as Ronaldo for that matter). Hopefully Eto’o will step up big time this time. He needs it. Though, the threat that Shevchenko gives is always a serious menace to come up against. Puyol and Marquez will have their task complicated and troublesome.

Milan's dangerman

Here’s hoping that Ronaldinho can turn on his magic in Italy, a big match from will will serve Barcelona big time for the second leg.

It’ll be a big battle at San Siro come this Wednesday, and add to that Barcelona will be without three key players; the suspended Deco and the injured Larsson and Messi. With this fact, perhaps Milan will have the slight advantage, more so they're playing at home first. But it's difficult to predict since this is a showpiece between two good teams. I'll say it'll be very tight, in both matches.

Barcelona's absentees: Deco, Larsson, & Messi

Xavi is still out (for both legs), but at least now’s he’s close to regaining full fitness and is on his way to full recovery.

Well, let’s hope we’ll be treated to a great game of football in the coming two weeks. There’s 180 minutes to play, 2 games to play, and everything to play for. Paris is waiting for the victor.

CHAPTER 36: VICTORY! VICTORRRRYYYYYY!!! (and on to the quarterfinals)

"Veni, Vidi, Vici -- I came, I saw, I conquered." - Julius Caesar

Pic made by FCBshadow fromXtratime

¡A cuartos!

And justice is served.
Barça drew with Chelsea 1-1 last night, and through the aggregate scores of 3-2, they are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

I’m not going to put much time in writing about the game. It was not really the classic encounter expected, but nevertheless it was still quite a ‘decent’ encounter. More of a tactical chess game.
Nevertheless, Camp Nou was damn PACKED. Fantastic environment and fantastic atmosphere, although Chelsea didn’t seem to get a very, very fiery & feisty reception that I had expected.

Anyway, I thought that I heard some section of the Camp Nou crowd chanting at the beginning of the match “José Mourinho, hijo de puta, José Mourinho, hijo de puta”. In addition, here’s a clip showing some crowd chanting to Mourinho “Mourinho vete al teatro (Mourinho, go to the theaters)” in a Guantanamera tune, regarding the controversy from the first leg that Mourinho made when saying that Messi was a good actor from the fact that Barcelona has a lot of good theatres. Haha……

On the match, Mourinho’s played his usual (cautious-counter attacking) 4-3-3 formation, and Chelsea it has to be said, were toothless throughout the match. Furthermore, they seemed like they couldn’t do much or create much, and there was the fact that they had to score two goals if they wanted to progress through. Sure there were some chances some them, but there were not much and Chelsea’s fight was not good enough.
Barça on the other hand played with great possessive football, and throughout the entire match Ronaldinho was the star shining on the show. The ‘crack’ was doing backheel passes throughout the first half as if it was a training session! Just that Barça had difficulty finding the back of the net. Rijkaard played the same eleven that played against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, so the double pivot of Edmilson and Motta meant that Barça’s attacking ability were limited for their front three, but it was a card played right by Rijkaard to counter against the midfielders of Chelsea (and more so containing Lampard, he was invisible to Chelsea).
Just like in the first leg, it ended scoreless. The only bad point for Barça during the first half was that Messi got injured around the 25^th minute (hamstring) and had to be substituted by Larsson.

Second half was more or less the same. Chelsea still couldn’t do much, and Barça kept on playing their usual game. In the end, it was one piece of action from the world footballer of the year that settled the tie. Ronaldinho scored an excellent goal in the 78^th minute.

Eto’o had the ball, he passed it to Ronnie. Ronnie at that time seemed static, then suddenly burst through the Chelsea defense, barging into Terry (where Terry collapsed to the ground), fired a powerful low drive near the corner of the goal, and Cech couldn’t blocked it….GOAL.

Barça now was on the driving seat, as it was around 12 minutes to go.

Chelsea got a goal back, right in the death of injury time. Terry got a dubious penalty, he ‘fell’ down when Van Bronckhorst got the ball clearly on the edge of the penalty box. Lampard slotted Chelsea’s goal.

The match ended shortly after that penalty, as time was up. This time, Barça ended up victorious … and the ghost of last year’s defeat to Chelsea could now be buried (for now).
At the end of the day, I’m happy. Though I’m not so satisfied due to the fact that Barça couldn’t thrash Chelsea like they were able to as they had showed it throughout the two matches, as that would really shut Mourinho up. Furthermore, Puyol got a yellow card in the second half that meant that he would miss the first leg of the quarter-finals.
But still, we’re through, and happiness is now around me (as well as for all Barcelonistas around the world, WE BEAT CHELSEA!!!!).
Following pics are from various sources (Barça’s official website, SPORT, Mundo Deportivo, Soccernet, and others…):

& here’s the goal that made the night, from the best player in the world…….