Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United [1-4]
Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona [1-1]
Arsenal - Van Persie 76′(p)
Manchester United - Park 8′ / Ronaldo 11′, 61′
Chelsea - Essien 9′
Barcelona - Iniesta (90+4)’
To start with, congratulations to Manchester United. Absolutely brilliant display of football. They proved it that they are the best team in the world and can overcome any side anywhere at any given point of time. The victory is definitely a triumph for Sir Alex Ferguson. We yet don’t know how and why certain people could even harbour the thoughts of a United failure and even we, who said after the Fulham game that United would win nothing but the Premier League are ready to eat humble pie.
But the one man responsible for putting life back into this United team which looked like it had lost steam was Crisitano Ronaldo. The man proved that he isn’t a one-season wonder. He proved it exactly why all the trophies are in his cabinet (and not Ibrahimovic’s or Messi’s) and he proved exactly why United can’t play as fluently and score as many goals as they do when he’s in form. Yes Rooney is the player of the season, yes Tevez’s work ratio is second to none and yes Giggs won the PFA Player of the Year award. But it’s this man who makes that difference in the United side. The difference that takes them to a completely new level. Obviously having their defence back in form makes a hell lot of a difference. But take a bow Ronaldo. Even if you never reach the level of sheer brilliance and immortality like your namesake, you will be remembered for a long long time. You will be a legend.
Getting back to the match, it was quite disappointing to see the way Arsenal played. Arsene Wenger’s - Project Youth has failed. There’s no point in executing something for five long years without any resultsand it’s about time Arsenal realizes that. You have disappointed your fans and deprived everyone of a classic clash of Titans. Watching the few Arsenal fans feeling dejected and cheated and insulted at the screening organized by Yours Truly, was extremely sad and we sympathize with all of them. A few of them even went too far on their ciggies and beer, but you couldn’t really blame them, could you? It was, as Evra said, Men Vs Babies.
Obviously the United fans cheered and jeered and made merry. United songs and chants were sung loud with every United fan on his/her feet. Happiest in the lot was an 11 year old kid, accompanied b his dad, dressed in a white united jersey.
Rob Van Persie’s 72nd minute goal was too late and too litle to give Arsenal any hopes. In fact, what was further disappointing was the fact that the goal wasn’t created by Arsenal but was a penalty given away by Fletcher who was sent off. The decision was certainly harsh and the mid-fielder will be missing the final.
Naturally most of us wanted to see a repeat of last years final and Chelsea fans would’ve relished a chance to take revenge against United. It all seemed to have come true until the 92nd minute when Iniesta struck Barcelona’s only shot on target past Cech into the Chelsea net.
Didier Drogba had a great chance to score early on but the Ivorian failed to control a through-pass from John Terry and deprived himself of a one-on-one situation with the keeper. Taking his quality into consideration, I believe he could have done better.
But the home fans only had to wait for nine minutes for their side to score. It was certainly one of the best goals of the season. A cross from Frank Lampard was blocked on the edge of the penalty area and Michael Essien’s volley from about 25 meters went in after first striking the top cross bar.
Barcelona continued to dominate possession but could not create a single chance. Drogba on the other hand had another opportunity later on, but this time keeper Victor Valdes was first to get to the ball and cleared. An abseloute rubbish finish! He could have ended the game for once and for all!
Barcelona gained strength in the second half but Chelsea’s defense seemed organised enough to avoid any big chances. In fact, Petr Cech had NO save to make throughout the game, apart from the one which he couldn’t obviously!
Things got more difficult for the Spanish guests when Eric Abidal ‘fouled’ Nicolas Anelka with a red card as result. However, it wasn’t even a foul since Anelka went to ground himself.
There was bad news for Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink too though as Brazilian defender Alex was booked for a foul on Lionel Messi in the 77th minute, and won’t feature in the final, nevermind!
During stoppage time, Messi found Andres Iniesta at the edge of the penalty area and the latter struck into the upper right corner to send his side through to the final against Manchester United, breaking all Chelsea hearts!
Chelsea however had ‘four’ penalty claims let down by the ref.
Was this result fair?
Come this way for all your comments!
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