The Ghost Comes To Haunt Chelsea Yet Again

The ghost has come back to haunt the Blues and the ardent Blues supporters around the world once again. Chelsea has to be content with just a semifinal place for the 4th time in the last 6 years.

But for anybody who had watched the match right from the beginning, knew this was one of the hardest losses for the Blues, who are on an inspired run headed by Guus Hiddink;the only consolation being this time the conqueror was not archrival Liverpool who Chelsea had already beaten in the quarter final.

With 42,055 avid supporters screaming at The Bridge, the game was set for a rollicking battle between Barcelona’s attack and Chelsea’s defence.

Chelsea took the lead as early as the ninth minute when Michael Essien put in a stunner of a left-foot volley. Hopes aroused...a chance to meet Manchester United again to redeem last year’s mistake...

Didier Drogba just like the first leg,had some wonderful opportunities to put the Blues in a secure position only to be deflected by Victor Valdes...

And the Barca attack without the talismanic Thierry Henry continued to fail to breach the stubborn Chelsea defence...but what the game would be most remembered for, was the refereeing.

Unbelievably poor..definitely not to be expected at a Champions League semi-final match..which virtually and according to many,robbed Chelsea of a final’s place.

Florent Malouda was fouled by Dani Alves inside the box which was a strong chance for penalty to be awarded to the Blues. The Norwegian referee Tom Ovrebo sadly awarded just a free kick.

The second chance which was even stronger came when Drogba was pulled down by Abidal which was a definite penalty. Ovrebo was shockingly unperturbed.

In the second half,this time Barcelona was the one to bear the brunt with Abidal being unbelievably sent-off for fouling Anelka but the replays clearly showed that Anelka tripped over by himself.

Another chance for the Blues for penalty came and gone by. Gerard Pique blocked Anelka’s shot with his hand and afterwards did admit in his own words, "To be fair the ball touched my hand but I didn't want to touch it.''

But then,the inevitable happened. Determined Barcelona, known for playing some of the most beautiful football, eventually did put beauty and deftness into their game.

Lionel Messi put a beautiful pass in injury time[90+3] min to Andreas Iniesta whose execution was perfect,flawless...

Heartbreak at Stamford bridge...

Chelsea needed one more desperate goal..and there was a final chance again for penalty..

Samuel Eto’o blocked Ballack’s volley with his arm and again like earlier, no penalty was awarded despite an irate Ballack’s desperate attempts to influence the referee.

Barcelona progressed to the Rome final to meet Manchester United courtesy an away goal while Chelsea was left a pauper in their own backyard.

Yes..we watched.. with despair and utter disbelief as Chelsea’s dreams came crashing down. An eerie silence loomed over Stamford bridge as the fans found it hard to accept this inexplicable loss. I have to admit I am a Chelsea fan and I was devastated...

Was it a case of conspiracy from UEFA authorities to stop the encore of an all-English final as that would the most obvious question doing the rounds post-match?

Yes, it must be admitted Chelsea did have their chances which they threw away and Barca commands a lot of respect for the way they bravely continued their spirited fight despite being reduced to 10 men.

But in the end, one had to sympathise with the vanquished, so close..yet so far again...

Chelsea has not been able to exorcise the Champions League ghost and all they need is a little bit of luck.