The Fan

Late Drogba goal leaves Barcelona in trouble

The Editor — Tue, October 31st 2006

Barcelona 2 - Chelsea 2

After Didier Drogba’s injury time equaliser you could be forgiven for thinking Mourinho’s Chelsea had beaten Barcelona, such was the the psychological blow that the Spanish club’s players seemed to receive.

Even the normally calm Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was on the pitch at full time shouting at the referee, who in actual fact could easily have given Chelsea two penalties during the game.

Like hime or loathe him, Mourinho’s tactics stoked up a relatively meaningless group stage game to such a degree that the enormous talents of the Spanish giants were reduced to trying to out-scrap and out-dive a Chelsea team intent on stretching fair play to its limits.

And still both teams were able to produce some magical football, but as the game progressed it was Chelsea who seemed more capable of switching their style from destructive to constructive.

A powerful strike from Deco in the 3rd minute after a mistake from Boulahrouz opened the scoring and looked to have set Barcelona on course for victory. Visitors to the Nou Camp often struggle to get the ball, never mind score.

An exquisite chip from an impossible angle from Lampard - who showed continuing signs of a return to form - equalised for Chelsea early in the second half after a period of pressure, but Gudjohnsen restored the lead from a Ronaldinho cross.

Ronaldinho’s contribution through the night was disappointing as he hugged the left wing so tightly he was rarely part of the game. Indeed, the introduction of Edmilson as substitute appeared to be entirely to get someone on the pitch to pass to him.

After re-taking the lead Barcelona seemed happy to run time down and finally gained some quality possession, but John Terry wandered into attack from central defensive and produced a neat header to create the chance for Drogba to send Chelse home happy and break Spanish hearts.

Listed in: Competitions, Champions League, Teams, Chelsea, Countries, Spain

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