KINGS DETHRONED

AFTERMATH IN BARCELONA, SPAIN 4/24/12

    Well underdog fans, it happened.  Chelsea pulled off a stunning upset of Barcelona at FCB's own field.  A 2-2 final score, however a 3-2 aggregate combined scoring total.  Any soccer fan can include this match up there with the all-time heart wrenching defeats for such a highly praised and touted club like Barcelona.  So I may have called the outcome incorrectly, but was correct or close on a few things.  The main factor in Chelsea's success today was the amazing effort and skill put forward by their defensive core.  Their back line lost some early momentum, as Captain John Terry was sent off for in inexcusable red card maneuver on Alexis Sanchez.  As Chelsea's leader angrily stormed off the field, momentum started to swing Barcelona's way as Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta both capped goals in the 35' and 43' respectively.  Just when Barcelona started to settle in to close out the half, Frank Lampard sent a grounded through ball ahead to the Brazilian midfielder Ramires, scoring in the 45'+1 minute.  A stunned Barcelona squad slowly headed off of the field into the tunnel.  At halftime the possession scale was heavily tipped in Barca's favor, controlling the ball 79% to Chelsea's 21%.  Barcelona finished the half with 10 total shots, 3 of them considered on goal.  Chelsea finished with 4 shots, 1 on goal.

    Barcelona then opened the second half buzzing around the field like they normally do, ultimately setting up a Cesc Fabregas chance on goal, however was brought down in the box, forcing a penalty kick.  In the 48' minute here, Lionel Messi drilled the PK off of the top crossbar, allowing for Chelsea to regain control.  The story of Barca's second half was plagued by good opportunities turning into either turnovers or missed opportunities, along with improved defensive play by Chelsea.  Petr Cech turned even the best of strikes into acrobatic saves, frustrating the attacking Barcelona side even more.  As I had mentioned before, the turning point and key to victory would be putting in the struggling Fernando Torres.  Through all of his scoring drought I have still continued to have faith for the talented striker, and in the 79' minute came on for the flopping Didier Drogba.  Drogba was pestered by fans today every time he hit the ground because of last week's dramatic flops.  Between minutes 80' and 90', Chelsea played more of a hockey style defense in the sense of clearing pucks out of the zone on a penalty kill.  Chelsea continued to turn away Messi strikes, including one off of the post.  The referee announced 3 minutes of added time, and in the 91' minute Fernando Torres broke free of defenders and raced down the field, all alone, and beat goalie Victor Valdes to claim an aggregate victory for Chelsea.

    The game ended in a 2-2 tie today, and a 3-2 aggregate.  The final stats for the game included Barcelona dominating possession again like usual, increasing its number to 83% to Chelsea's 18%.  Barca finished its European title chase with 23 total shots and 6 on goal.  Chelsea only needed 7 total shots, of which 3 were on net to secure its position in the Champions League Final in May at Allianz Arena in Germany.