Chelsea vs Barcelona (champions league 2nd semi final)

Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona. Second leg
Aggregate 1-1


First leg semi final was end with draw between Chelsea and Barcelona. Barcelona playing at home but could not score in that match. Chelsea has good opportunity to score the away goal but their strikers were not able to convert them into the goal. Second leg was played in Chelsea home. If the Chelsea win that is the second appearance in champions league in last two years. Last time they face the defeat on penalty shoot outs against the Manchester united.

First half

Chelsea starts well this time as compare to the first time performance. They put good pressure on Barcelona defense to get the early goal. In the 9th minute Chelsea score their first goal and get the early breakthrough. What a sensational strike from Michael Essien. Frank Lampard's cross is blocked on the edge of the area and the ball flies high into the air. The Ghanaian meets it as it drops with a thunderous volley from 25 metres that crashes in off the underside of the bar. After that goal Barcelona try hard to get the equalizer goal but Chelsea defense does not provide any width to strike back. The half-time whistle is greeted with roars of relief among the home support, who watched nervously as their side came under mounting pressure in the last ten minutes.

Second half

Barcelona have started this half with four players hugging the touchline. It appears as though Josep Guardiola wants to stretch the play so his players find more space. It's a risky strategy though as the centre of the field is open for Chelsea to surge through. In 66th minute referee sent off the Abidal, The red card comes out and Josep Guardiola puts his head in his hands. The UEFA Champions League final is slipping away from Barcelona in England for the second year running. Barcelona gets the 65% ball possession in that match. In 93rd minute Lionel Messi tees up Andrés Iniesta on the edge of the area, the midfielder strikes across the ball and Chelsea can only watch heartbroken as it arcs into the top corner. It's their first shot on goal in the entire contest. Now the score was level but Barcelona has the away goal advantage. Barcelona win’s that match with the result of the away goal rule.

Champions league final
Manchester united vs Barcelona.
Rome on 27 MAY, 2009.