Before the game against the Catalans Barcelona,interim coach Di Matteo prayed his choice of a pointman for Chelsea in a game of wit be the right one, as he selected Didier Drogba over Fernando Torres.
Now Di Matteo can be sure he made the right choice of a forward man tonight as Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a surprise win over Barcelona inching closer to the Champions League final.
It was the only goal recorded in the first leg of the champions league match as the Ivorien struck the Catalans in the first half stoppage time.
From the blow of whistle signaling the start of the match,Di Matteo’s boys played to instruction as they deviced a tactical and defensive formation keeping the Catalans at bay, although going by match stats, Barcelona got so much of the possession but were stopped every time they attempted to get to the back of Petr Cech’s net.
Spectacular goal attempts by Barcelona were from Alexis Sanchez and a curler from Pedro at stoppage time which both hit the goal bar, former Arsenal forward man Cesc Fabregas’ attempt almost produce an equalizer as it was cleared by Ashley Cole.
Also Barca captain Carles Puyol almost got an equaliser in the final minutes but thanks to Cech who brilliantly clawed out his close-range header.
It can be said that Barcelona were short of luck tonight plus they were tactically outplayed.
An impressive Chelsea side had a disciplined defence line which actually played out the mercurial Lionel Messi in front of the home fans likewise the visitors as Barca could not make any breakthrough to leave Chelsea with a slim lead ahead of next week’s second leg at the Nou Camp.
The goal which has put Chelsea in a better position came when Messi gave the ball away in the centre circle and Frank Lampard switched play with a fine pass to release Ramires down the left as he picked out Drogba lurking at the back post and the striker hit a left foot shot under Victor Valdes and into the net.
Drogba has been very phenomenal recently with the sinking of Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend,which is why he got the upper hand against Torres in the attack and he never dissappointed his coach as he produced the winning and only goal.
