Ten man Chelsea avenge 2009 defeat and book place in Champions League Final after dramatic clash with Barcelona
The tears from 2009, and their Semi-Final defeat to Barcelona, were still fresh in the memory of Chelsea Football Club, however they can finally be forgotten as Chelsea made it to their second Champions League final.
An unchanged Chelsea team headed out onto the Camp Nou pitch, hoping they could stop Barca from scoring just as they did in the first leg a week before.
Those hopes were dashed in the 34th minute when Sergio Busquets scored after Isaac Cuenca’s pull back. To add more salt into the wounds, Gary Cahill was taken off injured.
Barcelona then received a familiar present, a red card. Captain John Terry had been spotted kneeing Alexis Sanchez and the man that missed the penalty in Moscow, will now miss the final in Munich.
Barcelona then took the outright lead for the first time, Andrés Iniesta, the scorer of that goal that took Barcelona through in 2009, collected the ball from Lionel Messi inside the box and placed the ball beyond Petr Čech.
Mission Improbable had just become Mission Impossible for Chelsea, but just before half time, Lampard fed Ramires with a Barca-esque through ball and the Brazilian gave Chelsea a vital away goal.
It was going to be a long 45 minutes for Chelsea, and they didn’t make life easy for themselves as first leg hero Didier Drogba fouled Cesc Fabregas in the box, leaving Messi with the task of putting the tie beyond doubt.
The Argentinian would have been backed by most to take advantage, but his spot kick hit the crossbar and Chelsea had another life line.
Barcelona then lay siege on the Chelsea goal, but found an inspired Čech and the woodwork blocking their path again.
Then in the final moments, substitute Fernando Torres rounded Victor Valdes and slotted the ball home to book Chelsea’s slot in the Champions League final.
They will now meet Bayern Munich or Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
It may be the final chance for this group of players to win the elusive trophy, but they will be without the suspended John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles and Ramires.
There is only one thing left to say though after an amazing performance and achievement.
Congratulations Chelsea.
Dean Mears
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