Such boundless inches ...

Everything has been a matter of centimeters. These boundless centimeters. Those who make a difference, those who bless some and condemn them all. Those left over to Alexis and Peter when they hit the stick, which he missed Cesc to impale a rebound Thiago Franco or to deflect the shot that Cech Puyol deflected in extremis. Those who did were able to exploit the Blues in the only mistake the Blaugrana.

The party discoursed by the expected paths. The Chelsea FC planted with nine men focused on defending the place, including among them Mata, sacrificed for a task improper Hadrian steeper than Drogba. The lighthouse served as ivory shuttle is wrapped up as a war veteran and sent to the network the only time he was offered. FC Barcelona, ​​how could it be otherwise, was true to his philosophy: to have the ball, displaying his positional play and attack, attack, attack.

Eleven types of Pep. Mascherano holder detrimental Pique, despite the difference in height to fight Drogba. Nothing to regret, as the goal came from below. Inside Cesc, Iniesta and Alexis out starting from the band and appearing in the middle, but not to live there: there was no need to give the plants, little given to losing position beyond a couple of trips Terry . With patience usual, Barça was taking over the game, slowly but surely up to the perfect doneness. But lacked salt. In a great combination between Messi and Iniesta, Alexis found him behind his back and beat the English out with a beautiful Vaseline Cech could only stop the crossbar. Cesc counted to three occasions: the rebound badly holed, stop saved by Cech and Cole in goal. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi ... all tried, none succeeded.

When the first time dying, with Messi recovering from a dangerous slip, when it came was a slow final possession, baloncestístico style, there was a fatal mistake. The Flea lost a ball in midfield with both sides at an advanced stage early. Lampard launched a poisonous Ramires's cross, the Brazilian, who itself is able to play from area to area (but not Mata) came to the area and happened to find those extra inches immaterial with a pass of death that Drogba turned to gold. Cesc had said the day before: do not care as they are, have and will kill you.

The second half was all to end. The fortification of Chelsea, who went to entrenching Drogba even use water to shrink in their own area, and Barca's offensive, which ended turned into a chess game played in the mud. The Blaugrana will not give up their aim. Adriano tried breaking lines after surprising and extraordinary had Alexis after a bounce pass from Cesc. Almost got Puyol with his head and was even closer Thiago hunt and divert the flight path to the desired destination. Those convicted inches ...

Lady Luck again made ​​an appearance in Stanford Stamford Bridge: Chelsea owed ​​him and at the same time, I wanted to remind you that Barca have slept many nights with them does not make her his slave. His strange laugh convulsed the hearts of all. During the second flight-long shot of Peter, the Blues saw their life flash before their eyes (Again in the discount?). At the same time, the Catalans rose from the seat one last time to feel your lips a false illusion of the sweet taste of miraculous goals. The ball, the stick and the last u! when Busquets sent to the stands the rebound.

But what he lacked fluency in the Barca players is the pinpoint accuracy needed to create space between twenty legs. It generated a score of occasions, two of them crashed into the wood. He could win. He should win. But football is a unique sport. Di Matteo Chelsea won a match with one hand and all the luck that he lacked his rival. Next Tuesday the club will have the opportunity to turn around at the Camp Nou. Earlier on Saturday, must play another vital game, an all or nothing could have come up with a good mental advantage over Real Madrid have won a more favorable outcome in London. Guardiola has long been saying, every year is more difficult.

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