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30 04 2008 Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2 (aet agg 4-3)
It is difficult to describe the feeling of reaching the Champions League Final. Having never reached this stage of the
competition, even if Chelsea fail to hold the trophy aloft then just to reach Moscow would be an achievement in itself - an
unthinkable position even ten years ago.
Credit has to go to Avram, who has learnt from his mistakes and is finally making excellent decisions with substitutions
and tactics. It is not just because his understanding of the Chelsea team has improved, but also his approach and
demeanour in the last couple of weeks has been highly professional. The manager with egg on his face in the end was
Benitez with pathetic pre-match comments about Drogba, while Avram played it cool by not involving himself in the
childish spat.
A monkey on many Chelsea fans' backs has been the failure to beat a team in the semi-finals of the Champions' League
which on paper has been inferior. There have been many valid excuses too: a ball not crossing the line costing us a
place in the final a few years ago and only losing out on penalties last season. The main reason we are through is
because we had the second leg at home, and the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was equal to anything seen at Anfield
in recent years. Even better, Liverpool could have no complaints over the result despite some eccentric refereeing
(something we have had to become accustomed to in Europe).
Just like the Man Utd match against Barcelona, the game was played with great spirit and passion. Perhaps the technical
aspect of the game was not as high a standard as Tuesday night, but it was certainly more entertaining and has left me
mentally and physically drained. It was also played in good spirit, and just as Chelsea players wished their counterparts
luck in the final twice in the recent years, the gesture was reciprocated by the likes of Carragher and Gerrard after the
final whistle.
Massive praise must be heaped on Frank Lampard. Anyone who has lost someone close knows how mentally and
physically draining it can be. To have the guts to firstly play, and later to score from the penalty spot is something that
ingratiates players to Chelsea fans' hearts. Well done Frank, and well done to some of the Liverpool fans for applauding
him when he went up to take a corner.
Another player who has been criticised in recent times for his occasional oafish behaviour has been Didier Drogba. Last
night he put in a performance that is worthy of the best strikers in the world, and he stayed on his feet! Perhaps praise
should go to Rafa Beneathus for firing him up! What a great motivator....
Now onto Moscow. A day trip including ticket has cost £880. That is more than most Chelsea fans spend on their season
tickets. The fear is that having spent so much we may leave Moscow with nothing. There is nothing between the two
teams when we play head to head, but having beaten (an albeit weak) United side last week and having lifted the FA
Cup against them last year perhaps we will have the psychological advantage whether they win the Premier League or
not. Chelsea fans would be happy with a 1-0 win I am sure.
Well done to the players and management. Finally, Chelsea fans have smiles on their faces for the first time in many
months. What a present for Roman too, to return to his home country for the Champions' League final. Come on
Chelsea!
competition, even if Chelsea fail to hold the trophy aloft then just to reach Moscow would be an achievement in itself - an
unthinkable position even ten years ago.
Credit has to go to Avram, who has learnt from his mistakes and is finally making excellent decisions with substitutions
and tactics. It is not just because his understanding of the Chelsea team has improved, but also his approach and
demeanour in the last couple of weeks has been highly professional. The manager with egg on his face in the end was
Benitez with pathetic pre-match comments about Drogba, while Avram played it cool by not involving himself in the
childish spat.
A monkey on many Chelsea fans' backs has been the failure to beat a team in the semi-finals of the Champions' League
which on paper has been inferior. There have been many valid excuses too: a ball not crossing the line costing us a
place in the final a few years ago and only losing out on penalties last season. The main reason we are through is
because we had the second leg at home, and the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was equal to anything seen at Anfield
in recent years. Even better, Liverpool could have no complaints over the result despite some eccentric refereeing
(something we have had to become accustomed to in Europe).
Just like the Man Utd match against Barcelona, the game was played with great spirit and passion. Perhaps the technical
aspect of the game was not as high a standard as Tuesday night, but it was certainly more entertaining and has left me
mentally and physically drained. It was also played in good spirit, and just as Chelsea players wished their counterparts
luck in the final twice in the recent years, the gesture was reciprocated by the likes of Carragher and Gerrard after the
final whistle.
Massive praise must be heaped on Frank Lampard. Anyone who has lost someone close knows how mentally and
physically draining it can be. To have the guts to firstly play, and later to score from the penalty spot is something that
ingratiates players to Chelsea fans' hearts. Well done Frank, and well done to some of the Liverpool fans for applauding
him when he went up to take a corner.
Another player who has been criticised in recent times for his occasional oafish behaviour has been Didier Drogba. Last
night he put in a performance that is worthy of the best strikers in the world, and he stayed on his feet! Perhaps praise
should go to Rafa Beneathus for firing him up! What a great motivator....
Now onto Moscow. A day trip including ticket has cost £880. That is more than most Chelsea fans spend on their season
tickets. The fear is that having spent so much we may leave Moscow with nothing. There is nothing between the two
teams when we play head to head, but having beaten (an albeit weak) United side last week and having lifted the FA
Cup against them last year perhaps we will have the psychological advantage whether they win the Premier League or
not. Chelsea fans would be happy with a 1-0 win I am sure.
Well done to the players and management. Finally, Chelsea fans have smiles on their faces for the first time in many
months. What a present for Roman too, to return to his home country for the Champions' League final. Come on
Chelsea!
