Chelsea handed Barcelona a rare defeat on Wednesday night. Didier Drogba’s stoppage time strike in the first period separated the two teams on the pitch.
Roberto Di Matteo will be pleased with his men after they put up a brave performance. They created problems for Barcelona in every area on the pitch.
Above all, luck and defensive composure played a big role for the Blues. Alexis Sanchez missed his goal opportunities, Ashley Cole executed a life-saving move to clear a Cesc Fabregas shot and Pedro Rodriguez hit the foot of the post in injury-time to leave the traveling fans embarrassed.
For Lionel Messi, scoring against Chelsea remains a feat he has never achieved. The Barcelona number 10 superstar made a number of impressive runs only to get shut by Chelsea's alert defenders. He won a few free-kicks but overall did not troubled the Blues as pundits had expected.
In the second leg, a draw would do for Chelsea to reach the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League final in Munich. Even a 1-goal margin defeat other than a reverse 1-0 result will directly take the Blues to the ultimate stage.
Barcelona have a big task to accomplish. They will rely on their fervent home supporters to create a hostile atmosphere against Chelsea during the second leg of this semi-final tie.
The Catalans are usually unstoppable at the Camp Nou. This is where they dismantled AC Milan 3-1 in their last home fixture in the UEFA Champions League.
A repeat of that controversial result would give Chelsea a big slap in the face and see Barca playing in their third Champions League final in four years.
There is everything to play for between Barcelona and Chelsea. The second-leg fixture will reveal much about both teams’ fate this season.
Above all, luck and defensive composure played a big role for the Blues. Alexis Sanchez missed his goal opportunities, Ashley Cole executed a life-saving move to clear a Cesc Fabregas shot and Pedro Rodriguez hit the foot of the post in injury-time to leave the traveling fans embarrassed.
For Lionel Messi, scoring against Chelsea remains a feat he has never achieved. The Barcelona number 10 superstar made a number of impressive runs only to get shut by Chelsea's alert defenders. He won a few free-kicks but overall did not troubled the Blues as pundits had expected.
In the second leg, a draw would do for Chelsea to reach the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League final in Munich. Even a 1-goal margin defeat other than a reverse 1-0 result will directly take the Blues to the ultimate stage.
Barcelona have a big task to accomplish. They will rely on their fervent home supporters to create a hostile atmosphere against Chelsea during the second leg of this semi-final tie.
The Catalans are usually unstoppable at the Camp Nou. This is where they dismantled AC Milan 3-1 in their last home fixture in the UEFA Champions League.
A repeat of that controversial result would give Chelsea a big slap in the face and see Barca playing in their third Champions League final in four years.
There is everything to play for between Barcelona and Chelsea. The second-leg fixture will reveal much about both teams’ fate this season.
