Among the many memories conjured up by Wednesday’s meeting of Chelsea and Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final, the most extraordinary is Andrés Iniesta’s last-gasp winning strike in the 2009 semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
While that goal is fondly remembered in Catalonia today, the game left a bitter taste in many Chelsea mouths, with the Premier League side angry at Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo turning down a number of legitimate penalty appeals.
The Blues’ players protests were long and anguished and brought lengthy UEFA bans – Didier Drogba got four games, José Bosingwa three. Ex-Chelsea and current Real Madrid coach José Mourinho also mentioned Ovrebo when accusing referees of deliberately favouring Barca last season.
Speaking in Barcelona on Monday ahead of the upcoming semi-final first leg tie in West London, Iniesta himself said he had only happy memories of the 2009 game: “It is inevitable that such moments are recalled and sometimes it is nice to remember what happened,” said the midfielder. “It was a very special moment and very intense for everyone, not just for me. But time passes and Wednesday’s experience will be totally different.”
While Iniesta’s goal saw Barcelona through to the final – where they defeated Manchester United – it is often forgotten that Pep Guardiola’s side only squeaked through on away goals. Chelsea are actually unbeaten in five clashes between the two sides, stretching back to February 2006.
The 2010 World Cup winning midfielder said he was expecting another difficult match this time around. “I do not like to predict results before the game,” said Iniesta. “We always go out with the aim of winning. We know there is a return game to come. The objective is not to commit errors that could be costly.”
While Barcelona have moved forward in the three years since their last meeting by adding Cesc Fábregas and Alexis Sánchez last summer, some observers argue Chelsea have slipped back as key players including Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard reach the twilight of their careers.
‘Don Andrés’ took a different view, stating that the addition of his Spanish international colleagues Fernando Torres and Juan Mata had strengthened their team. “Chelsea have a lot of experience now, although they have changed many players,” he said. “Mata gives them something different, he moves between the lines and has a perfect left foot. Fernando is one of the best forwards around, all attackers have good and bad runs.”
After meeting the press Iniesta flew to London alongside fit-again Daniel Alves and Gerard Piqué, who both look likely to start the mouth-watering clash.
Iniesta said everyone at Barca had put Saturday’s potentially decisive clásico against La Liga leaders Real Madrid out of their minds until Chelsea game was over. “It is a fundamental week because we are playing to reach another Champions League final and to prolong the fight for La Liga,” he said. “This club demands that in April and May we are battling for trophies.”
Fear factor
Meanwhile, Barca defender Dani Alves believes it was fear that cost Chelsea their place in the 2009 Champions League final, not the Norwegian referee, Ovrebo.
As Chelsea look to get even for the events of three years ago, Alves says in an interview: “There’s no doubt that was the hardest game we’ve played but a team with a man advantage playing at home and winning should have attacked us more.
“People say Chelsea could have won but for the referee but that is not our problem. We were there to play football, to compete and try to get to the final. Chelsea did not reach the final because of fear.”
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