It was written in the Stars...

Those were the words of the commentator when 63-goals Lionel Messi took the penalty and smashed the ball against the cross bar. Last night’s game between defending champions, Barcelona and 2008 silver medallists, Chelsea, was one of the most nervy, intriguing games I’ve seen in recent times. It brings to mind 2005 Champions league final between AC Milan and Liverpool FC.

BANG!!!

Some may call it luck, some may see it as a downward slide of the reigning champions, some may tag it negative football, others view it as victory to football- against the forces that always twist the run of games....whatever you call it, Chelsea produced one of the most outstanding display in their entire history as a club.

As I write this piece, I am still struggling for words to convey all that my heart carries, but not even the world's largest encyclopaedia will be large enough to contain my thoughts.

With a 2-2 draw in Nou camp, Chelsea have kept loads of records in place. They maintained the record of not losing to Barca in their last EIGHT (8) meetings; they and providence rendered Messi’s shooting boot impotent in his 8^th game against the London side. They kept intact Barca’s record of not advancing to the final, after losing the first leg of a semi. They extended Barca’s winless run to three matches in a row...we’ll have to rewind back to May 2003 to see the last time the Catalan club suffered similar mishap. Barca’s failure to advance to the final, also kept intact the history that NO TEAM has ever won the Champion league back-to-back...and if this Barca team couldn’t do it, which can?

Apart from the hard luck that Barca suffered, we must applaud the defensive discipline of the Chelsea side. We all thought things have been thrown apart when the red card was shown to Captain Terry. This was coupled with the early injury of Cahill, which meant that Chelsea were to play on without a recognized centre back. The situation entrusted immense responsibility to every member of the team, and they lived up to it. I saw a different Ashley Cole last night- one that refused to be ruffled and overwhelmed by the turn of events. Mikel repeated the good job he did at Stamford, by tracking down all the midfield runs of the Barca team. And how valuable can you rate the never tiring Ramires- he reminds me of Pavel Nedved. Drogba displayed that even without theatrics, he can still hold his line; Lampard defied age and critics to show that he’s still got those classy passes...like the one he gave to Ramires that produced their first goal - I believe Xavi would have been mourning to have been the one that made that pass. Cech showed that he has seen this Barca side too many times to be short of confidence. The premium of the night came when Fernando Torres, the one also known as El Nino, showed why he was bought for fifty million pounds, with a classy goal. There was no better place to have scored that goal than his homeland; after being under so much pressure of the possibility of missing out from the Spanish team that will be in Poland for the Euro cup.

Give way!

As for the Barca team, I saw a squad that kept trying same thing (for three matches), and expecting a different result. I said yesterday that the only way they can surprise their opponents is to allow them to play- draw them out and hit them on a counter. But the failed to do this, and kept caressing the ball around the 18 yard box, failing to take real shots at goal. As usual they got the result- losing the only major trophy that would have been solace for the loss of the league trophy to bitter rivals, Real.

This is Messy... 

I don’t know if I am to say that Messi has been demystified, but the Messi I saw yesterday was idealess and frustrated.  No wonder he broke down in tears when Torres struck the equaliser. Pep Guardiola’s pitiful figure last night was also pathetic and rare; a lot must have been reeling through his mind- maybe he would have walked out last season. In contrast, his opposite number, Di Matteo retained his Cucumber-like calm throughout; even when the team was two goals and a man down. He only displayed his emotions when Torres gave him reasons to.

The Man...of the moment

Overall, last night was another night that will stick to the memories of all football lovers for a long time. That is why the competition is called the Champions league! The best may not win the tournament, according to Mourinho, but the intrigues of the competition keeps it tasty year in year out...just like old fine wine.

Chelsea advanced to the final with a cost; major players like Terry, Ramires, Ivanovic, and Meireles will all sit out in the final having been booked. But they can only hope for the return of Luiz and Cahill to cover their defensive inadequacy.

OUT! This is Nou Camp

Attention is now fixed on tonight’s game between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Congratulations Chelsea! Mou, bring it on...let’s see another exciting night of Champions League.