Only Half a Job Done for Bosingwa and Chelsea

Jose Bosingwa was given a huge pat on the back for the man-marking job he did on Lionel Messi on Tuesday as Chelsea held Barcelona to a goalless draw in the Champions League.

But it’s only half a job well done and Guus Hiddink’s men must not get carried away as Messi and Co. are likely to pose a bigger threat away from home in the second leg.

Bosingwa was switched from right-back to left-back to keep the world’s best player, Messi, quiet and, against all the football odds, he did so admirably.

Only on a few occasions did Messi drift infield and pose the Blues any real problems.

“I think the biggest compliment should go to Jose because I think it was the second time in his life that he played at left back and it was against Messi," said heroic keeper Petr Cech.

"But you couldn't see Messi on the pitch today. John (Terry) was also fantastic and I have to say so were all the other guys because it is not easy to come here and deal with all their attacking threat.”

Barca had netted in every home game this season and with Messi, Samuel Eto’o, and Thierry Henry scoring over 90 goals between them this term, Chelsea’s defensive display has to be applauded.

However, at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final second leg there will be more onus on Bosingwa to get forward and support Chelsea’s narrow midfield, which will allow Messi more time and space.

It might be that Dutch coach Hiddink instructs either Michael Essien or John Obi Mikel to keep an eye on Messi when Bosingwa marauds forward as an away goal for Barca will leave the Blues needing to score twice.

But Hiddink may decide to restore the suspended Ashley Cole to the side at left-back in the second leg, which may mean Bosingwa switching to his natural right-back berth.

Alternatively, Bosingwa’s fine job in the Nou Camp may persuade Hiddink to keep the Portuguese star at left-back with Cole or Branislav Ivanovic on the opposite flank.