stretford420

End of Chelsea football club? Back to mid table team? Back to not having millions pumped into them? Probably not, but it sure would be great.

End of their season? I think that's feasible. I just do not see how a Chelsea team, the way they were so apoplectic at the final whistle, can regain their composure in time to face an Arsenal side who have everything to prove this Sunday. Especially an Arsenal side who were reasonably gracious in defeat last night.

And if Chelsea fail to win this sunday, I am absolutely sure their title hopes are gone.

Arsenal v Chelsea on sunday, its like a 3rd place play off!

And I think Arsenal are going to win it too, personally. I don't see how Chelsea can bounce back from what happened to them tonight.

Dont get people calling Barcelona one of the best teams in europe..

Very rarely perform against English teams and poor again tonight despite the away goal.

Come off it, they're a a very very good team - Chelsea did very well, but they played to nick a goal at home - that tells you all you need to know about what a good footballing team Barca are.

Wanted an Arsenal Barca final, but Man U will do. It won't even have to be a good game to be better than last year's borefest

Exactly. I have a feeling it will be one of the most glamourous and unforgettable games of all time, and I hope I'm not dissapointed - but it will be better than last years whatever happens.

I was so wrapped up in the emotion last year that I didnt realise how dull the game was until I went back and watched it again.

How did you manage to watch that shite again!?

The penalty shoot out was great fun though, one of the best I've seen.

The big English clubs may be superior in some ways, but don't play the most attractive football, Arsenal aside. However, that kind of high tempo game cannot be played in summer - hence how better footballing sides like Spain, Argentina, Brazil etc come into their own in summer tournaments (in general, Greece are obviously not included in that)

The shoot-out was indeed amazing. I have never celebrated harder in my entire life than I did that night and the 2 days afterwards. Amazing night, bad game.

I think this year could be great though. But of course, before that, we have another massive day of football coming up on sunday ... the derby, and the champions league 3rd place play-off, both on sky

Can anyone notice the common denominator?

Last years final - dull.

Barcelona v Chelsea - dull.

Chelsea v Barcelona - dull.

Erm, tonights game was the opposite of dull.

Erm, why do the bookies make Barca favourites for this exactly? Oh well, better news for me.

Dont get people calling Barcelona one of the best teams in europe..

Very rarely perform against English teams and poor again tonight despite the away goal.

Come off it, they're a a very very good team - Chelsea did very well, but they played to nick a goal at home - that tells you all you need to know about what a good footballing team Barca are.

Wanted an Arsenal Barca final, but Man U will do. It won't even have to be a good game to be better than last year's borefest

Exactly. I have a feeling it will be one of the most glamourous and unforgettable games of all time, and I hope I'm not dissapointed - but it will be better than last years whatever happens.

I was so wrapped up in the emotion last year that I didnt realise how dull the game was until I went back and watched it again.

Funny Sky just played back Drogba swearing after we all heard it the first time. The muppets.

Why? You can swear on TV at 10pm cant you?

Yes, but Sky Sports dont allow swearing on their networks afaik. They beep much less severe swear words in WWE programming very late at night so I think its just something Sky try to keep to a minimum.

Think the final will be a non event...Utd will walk it!

This final will not be a non-event. It will be one of the most attacking, fast-paced, action-packed 90 minutes of football in history.

I think United will win though. I'm going to bet on United winning 4-2 inside 90 minutes.

I'm already buzzing about this years final now. United vs Barcelona in a European Cup Final is the closest thing to a dream-match left in Europe.

Messi, Etoo, Henry, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Carrick .... this is going to be one hell of an attack-counterattack football match.

I invite all the neutrals to sit back and enjoy the purest form of entertainment there is on May 27.

Is this setting up for the Porto-like stoppage time away goal equaliser?

96:59 - Barcelona are in the final

Well the ultimate swerve here would be a late Chelsea winner ... can it happen? Lets hope not.

1 minute to go. Can Barca hold on?

YES! YES! YES!

CHELSEA 1-1 BARCELONA.

A late, late goal for Barca would leave me celebrating for at least an hour.

Sergio Busquets? Who is he and what position does he play in?

Didn't notice him at all.

I think he's a defensive midfielder but I dont recall him touching the ball tonight.

28. Sergio BUSQUETS - OFF

11. Krkic BOJAN - ON

How many decent penalty shouts have Chelsea had tonight?

6.

Ball to hand, or handball?

Is this setting up for the Porto-like stoppage time away goal equaliser?

IMO ronaldo is the same, shit in the massive CL games (apart from the ones against english clubs)

Well he scored the crucial goals against Inter and Porto that got United into the semis. :winkold:

This ref should never be allowed anywhere near such a big game ever again.

Isn't it the same Norweigan guy that sent off Jens Lehmann in the 2007 European Champions League Final against Barcelona?

I'm probably on my own here but I keep watching Messi wanting to see this superstar player but every time I see him I think he is hugely over rated. Sure he performs against some shite sides in Europe and in Spain and scores some special goals but when it really comes to it in the big games he just doesn't produce enough in my view.

This is his 10th game against an English side and he hasn't managed a single goal, I know he is the competition top scorer but when you compare him to Ronaldo he comes up short in terms of impact.

I'm not saying Messi isn't a quality player but best in the world? Not even close in my view.

No your not on your own. Messi is conspicuously absent in the big Champions League games. :winkold:

Adios Abidal.

Barca are just not playing well atm

Is the pressure collapsing them?

strange for a european ref to let that hustle bustle go on, great tackle

Strange but refreshing. The ref from last night would've shown a red there imo.

Oh, and Barca dont know how to take corners.