Four things I learnt from Chelsea vs Barcelona

The best team in the business had a miserable time at Stamford bridge last night. And some lessons were learned.

1. Dominating won’t win you matches!

“If you’re in the penalty area and don’t know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we’ll discuss the options later.” -Bob Paisley

One can also learn this from Liverpool‘s league season. The Reds have dominated many games, but the results often went against them. But to see one of the best teams in the history of football go through the same misery, the lesson must have been hard to learn. Barcelona dominated the entire proceedings. Except for two or maybe three proper chances, Chelsea had hardly any say in the game. Didn’t matter though, did it?

2. Liverpool curse is a powerful curse!No. of times Liverpool FC hit the woodwork this season: 27!

You shall not pass!

“The woodwork is like a phantom goalkeeper.” – that has been Liverpool’s curse this season. You get to dominate the game, you get to take as many shots on goal as you like. You spend your entire energy in creating as many chances as you can, but the ball shall not pass the opposition goal-line. Story of Liverpool FC’s season. Story of Barcelona FC at the Stamford Bridge. The best finishers in the business were no match to goalpost last night.

3. Messi Falters!

Messi loses the ball, Chelsea scores.

He is just a man

Honestly it’s stupid to assume that Messi is infallible, but usually one doesn’t expect it to happen. 42 minutes into the game, Xavi lobs the ball over to Fabregas who heads it into Messi’s path. The ball is out of play and the commentator shouts “Messi does mis-kick!”. And one certainly never expects that a mistake from Messi would lead to Barcelona conceding a goal. Last minute of the first half extra time, Messi loses the ball to Lampard who crosses it to Ramires. The Brazilian runs down the left wing and his low cross meets Drogba whose casual finish puts Chelsea FC in the driving seat. Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona.

4. Not only movies have twisted endings!Who is Keyser Soze?

Who is Keyser Soze?

Last night’s match left many people gaping at what they have seen. A misfiring Fabregas, in form Cech and also a good involvement from the usually static woodwork. It was like a movie perhaps, one with a twisted ending, one that leaves you thinking ‘How in the world did that happen!’. This match will probably go down into my DVD collection along with the likes of ‘Fight Club’, ‘Memento’ and ‘The Usual Suspects’.