Captain, Leader... Let-down?

[Wxgba 306]

Captain. Leader... Let down.

That night in Barcelona will be a night for Chelsea fans to hold in their memory until their death. Overcoming the odds not once, but twice. Man-handling Messi, making Iniesta ineffective, excluding Xavi... not many teams can say they've done that against Barcelona in two consecutive games!

Let's be honest, we were up against it from the outset. I'm sure Guardiola came to Stamford Bridge for the first leg with the impression that his team will break the Chelsea backline, leaving a relatively easy second leg for his side to stroll through in second gear. Plan A soon came to a halt, though, when the Blues battled out a 1-0 victory over the Catalan outfit. They'd failed in securing a crucial away goal, and they were made to pay. All their dominance, of possession, of the better chances, paid no dividends as Didier Drogba - as he so often seems to do - scored the goal to give Chelsea the upper hand going into the second half of the tie. Bare in mind that was our only shot on target and Drogba's only touch in their eighteen-yard box all game - it just goes to prove how clinical you have to be on such important occasions.

Travelling to the Nou Camp has never been an easy feat and it left Chelsea an uphill climb going into the second leg, even though, on paper, they had the upper hand. However, what must have given Chelsea confidence was the fact that, no matter how fierce Barca are going forward, they always hold an air of vulnerability at the back. Chelsea were always going to be offered a chance or two, their chances of qualification rested upon these chances that were made available few and far between. Thankfully, Di Matteo's restored confidence into the camp, and that will to fight was ever-present across both legs.

The first notable point of discussion came in the first five minutes, where Messi meandered through the Chelsea defence, only to find the side-netting. The next falling a mere ten minutes into the game. No, not a goalscoring opportunity: an injury to Cahill. A catastrophic end to the tie for Cahill, who encapsulated the Chelsea spirit in the first meeting of the two sides. On came Bosingwa... I know what you were all thinking at this point - I was thinking the same, but my gosh did he prove his worth on the night. However resolute the Blues' backline was, it was inevitable that Barca would find an opening every now and again given how well they penetrate. A rare lack of concentration made Chelsea pay, with Cuenca squaring a pass to an unmarked Busquets - of all people - to slot into an open net. Although giving Barcelona the advantage on the night, if left the tie in the balance: 1-1 on aggregate. The only worrying thing for Chelsea fans was that now, even if they could hang on for the next hour, it would take the game into extra time. Another goal was needed, and with Barcelona pushing for their second, their would be gaps that Chelsea may be able to utilise to full effect.

With eleven men, that might have been a plausible tactic. Hold on for dear life until we receive the ball, then break quickly on the counter. If need be, Drogba was up their to hold up the ball. However, there was one member of the team that didn't fancy that. Guess who? John fucking Terry. Of all the people, with all the experience, it had to be him that made an idiotic mistake. Yes, Sanchez was rolling about and did need a little sorting out, but at least do it whilst he's got the ball. Talk about making it obvious. I think Terry must have forgotten about the thousands of fans watching, the TV cameras, and then the linesmen and them useless twats behind the net. So that's it, then. 40 minutes gone. One goal down. Now down to ten men. Surely this meant nothing more than a Barcelona victory. Fortunately, the man who Terry passed his armband to as he walked off the pitch, Frank Lampard, envisaged Chelsea going through. He and his other nine colleagues, although battered and bruised, fought until the death and made us Chelsea fans proud. If it wasn't for John Terry's nonsensical knee-to-the-back, then perhaps it would have made the battle that little bit easier.

It only took a few minutes after the dismissal for Barcelona to make their advantage pay, with Iniesta making it 2-1. Any other team in that situation would have been happy to play for pride, and to retain the score to an acceptable deficit. Not our lot, though. No, Di Matteo wouldn't allow us to fizzle out and go down without a fight. This new-found resurgence in confidence was epitomised by Ramires' nonchalant chip over Victor Valdes late on in the half. Seemingly nowhere to go, no support, Ramires kept running - as he always does - to find a yard or two of space... and then that moment of magic. He showed his inner-Brazilian there, that's for sure. A fantastic finish that reinstilled hope into the team, leaving the scores tied at 2-2 (on aggregate) on the night. Should the game have finished there, Chelsea would be victorious and mark a momentous achievement in reaching the Champions League final, in Munich.

Just one goal was not enough though, not for our number nine. Torres, whose turbulence of late has been nothing less than disappointing, proved to be the match-winner. Chelsea, after all their hard work, were fatigued and had ran their legs into the ground. There was no energy left, just fate. One big punt up the pitch and Torres was clear; one-on-one with Victor Valdes. Torres' torrid spell at the Blues only equated one situation; a glaring miss. But he proved everybody wrong, showing that he still has that bit of class and composure in his locker, to coolly bypass Valdes and slot the ball into an empty net. Game, set, match and most of all... relief for Fernando Torres. All this talk of him being a waste of money? Don't be silly, that goal had just sealed Chelsea a place in the Champions League final.

There wasn't too many negatives to take out of the game, other than the fact that the captain of his beloved club let them down when it mattered most. The other, more important negative is that Ivanovic, Meireles and Ramires all picked up cautions on the night, resulting in them missing the final in Munich. Heart-breaking. Not to fear, though, when we've got a rejuvenated centre-half in Jose Bosingwa!

In all seriousness, it was a great result and performance. We were finally able to avenge 2009, and what made it that little bit sweeter was the fact that, all things considered, we didn't need the away goal rule to put us through. We're going to be up against it, yet again, in Munich, with our opponents effectively having it as a home game, but I believe. Ashley Cole believes. Di Matteo believes. All the team believes, and that is what matters.

Let's make that night in Munich happen.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Yep, really disappointing stuff from John. As captain he should know better, he should be easily capable of controlling his emotions. It's a shame that he'll miss the final given all he's done for us, but truth be told, he made his bed and we shouldn't feel sorry for him.

[Spike 12,049]

I forgive him. He barely touched the bastard.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Not justifying John's stupidity, but Alexis went down about 3 seconds after JT kicked him. How does he look his wife in the face after such blatant display of lack of masculinism?

[Madmax 9,219]

JT's contributions to the Chelsea cause ever since the age of 14 > one silly sending off.

Captain, Leader, Legend.

[BosnianLion 232]

Terry will always be a legend in my book. He's made mistakes over the years but his loyalty will never be questioned.

[Jase 43,479]

A very silly thought this but is it possible that he got himself sent off because of the pain from his broken ribs? He has had to played a lot of games recently every 3-4 days without any break.

[BosnianLion 232]

A very silly thought this but is it possible that he got himself sent off because of the pain from his broken ribs? He has had to played a lot of games recently every 3-4 days without any break.

Yeah but why would he get sent off instead of asking for a sub? He wouldn't hurt his team with such calculation.

[J.F. 1,484]

Joke thread?

[Igi26 346]

He didn't do the right thing, Alexis played a part in this sending off (looking at linesman and then falling down).

But Terry was phenomenal through whole season in Champions League so I agree with Jaimin.

[Jase 43,479]

Yeah but why would he get sent off instead of asking for a sub? He wouldn't hurt his team with such calculation.

Good point.

Ignore my post then.

[Laylabelle 9,398]

The fact we got through changed the situation really.Had it cost us..dont I personally think be that supportive of him at all not for the following few days anyway.And lucky really it didnt..

[bloody 209]

I forgive him. He barely touched the bastard.

ONLY because we went through to the final

had we lost the match, it'll be a MUCH different case

[bloody 209]

Not justifying John's stupidity, but Alexis went down about 3 seconds after JT kicked him. How does he look his wife in the face after such blatant display of lack of masculinism?

probably the same way drogba looks at his wife

[BosnianLion 232]

Are we really mentioning wives and Terry in the same sentence again?

[Jase 43,479]

ONLY because we went through to the final

had we lost the match, it'll be a MUCH different case

Then that is just a case of hindsight, isn't it?!

[bloody 209]

Then that is just a case of hindsight, isn't it?!

yes, just like this thread is a case of hindsight

[CHOULO19 24,332]

probably the same way drogba looks at his wife

Hahaha touche!

But, not that it makes much difference, I don't remember Drogba ever diving to try to get a fellow footballer sent off, he does it tobuy the team time, which is more or less legal.