Adam Appleton
“Quitters never win, and winners never quit”. That, or a variant on Vince Lombardi’s famous quote must have been re-articulated in Roberto Di Matteo’s half-time team-talk last night.
Sky commentator, Gary Neville’s ejaculatory “oooooh” at the sight of Fernando Torres’ eventual tie-clincher summed up perfectly the disbelief and hysteria that surrounded the downing of this Catalan juggernaut.
The Blues produced an astonishing rearguard performance to keep out a team hailed as one of the greatest in football’s long history.
A performance that interim boss, Di Matteo, would herald as: “an incredible achievement by this group of players.”
The first half saw Sergio Busquets put the Catalan giants 1-0 ahead after 35 minutes as Chelsea failed to locate the Spaniard from a low cross.
Minutes later it went from bad to worse for the Londoner’s as captain, John Terry, was inexplicably dismissed for sticking a knee in Alexis Sanchez’s back.
Now it is very difficult to estimate just how steep a task playing Barcelona with ten men must be, but it is likely akin to David taking on Goliath without his slingshot.
With this in mind, going 2-0 behind was not high on Chelsea’s wish-list, but that’s precisely what happened as Messi slid in Andres Iniesta to double the advantage and put his team ahead in the tie.
At this stage, many teams would have battened down the hatches and gone for damage limitations, but not Chelsea, whose typical English grit shone through like a beacon all night long.
This determination was rewarded when, seconds before the half time whistle, Frank Lampard played Ramires through down the inside-right channel.
What happened next was pure artistry, with Ramires’ first touch lofting the ball millimetres over Victor Valdes’ outstretched paw, and then dipping to caress the back of the net.
Chelsea were back in it, with their goal turning the game into a chess match, with Barcelona hammering at Chelsea’s pawns, trying their damnedest to find the checkmate.
When Fabregas was brought down by Drogba and a penalty given, Chelsea fans must have thought the writing was on the wall.
Lionel Messi, scorer of 63 goals this season, and serial-terroriser of defences stepped up to take the kick, and cannoned the ball off the crossbar.
As the minutes ticked by, Barcelona were growing increasingly desperate, anxious to work an opening, but master-class displays from all in a white shirt kept them at bay.
With one minute of injury time already played, Fernando Torres found himself in and through on the half way line after a well-guided hook from Ashley Cole, arguably Chelsea’s man of the match.
With Valdes advancing, Torres scooped the ball round him and slotted the ball into the open net to secure not only Chelsea’s spot in the final, but perhaps also a reprieve for himself, repaying much if not all of that £50million transfer fee.
Messi was reduced to crouching, staring blankly at the Nou Camp turf for answers, but none came. At the final whistle, Chelsea fans, players and staff went into realms of happiness hitherto unseen, jumping around yelling like a cat when its tail is trodden on.
In a dignified acceptance of defeat, Barca players stood up, looked Chelsea in the eyes and shook their hands, with many of the home supporters respectfully applauding the Blues’ effort.
But for all their flair, flamboyance and tiki-taka poetry, Barcelona’s prowess could not match Chelsea’s grit, determination and sheer will to see that 19th May date in Munich. Unfortunately, though all will see, not all will play.
Terry’s red card, along with the yellow’s of Meireles, Ramires and Ivanovic will see them play no part in the biggest stage of club football in Europe. But this will not force them to concede the game because winners never quit, and quitters never win.
