Torres: Tim Terbaik Tak Selalu Menang

koclokindoblog, 25 April 2012, Barcelona - Fernando Torres memberikan hantaman terakhir saat Chelsea menyingkirkan Barcelona dari Liga Champions. Bak ingin menghibur Barca, Torres menyebut tim terbaik tidaklah selalu bisa menang.

Dengan keunggulan 1-0 hasil dari leg I, Chelsea sebenarnya sudah lolos ke final ketika skor menunjukkan kedudukan 2-1 untuk keunggulan Barca dalam laga leg I di Camp Nou, Rabu (25/4/2012) dinihari WIB. Pasalnya, dengan agregat 2-2 Chelsea masih unggul berkat keuntungan bikin gol tandang.

Akan tetapi, Torres kemudian memberikan sentuhan penutup nan manis untuk Chelsea, yang tentu sebaliknya pahit buat Barca, lewat golnya di menit-menit akhir pertandingan. Chelsea pun memetik hasil 2-2 di Camp Nou dan lolos ke final dengan agregat 3-2.

Hasil itu sendiri cukup berada di luar dugaan banyak kalangan mengingat di atas kertas Barca, yang juga juara bertahan, sangatlah diunggulkan.

Dari segi penguasaan bola, Barca yang sudah unggul jumlah pemain sejak menit 37 usai dikartumerahnya John Terry, pun sangat dominan dengan 72% berbanding 28%, sebagaimana dicatat situs UEFA.

"Sepakbola memang seperti itu, favoritnya, tim terbaik tidak selalu menang," ujar Torres.

 

sport.detik.com

Pique backs Drogba on diving

koclokindoblog, 24 April 2012, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has backed Didier Drogba amidst accusations the Chelsea forward is a diver.

Drogba was criticised for going to ground too easily in last week's Champions League semi-final first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge but Pique defended the Ivorian, who scored the decisive goal in Chelsea's 1-0 win.

"I don't think we should criticise him," Pique said.

"If he keeps doing it then we'll see, but I believe in Drogba and in his honesty.

"I have dealt with him on many occasions, he is one of the best players I've seen.

"He is very complete and has been competing at the highest level for many years. I think it will be a very difficult duel - if I'm on the field, of course."

Pique has been in and out of the Barcelona line-up in recent weeks and was dropped to the bench for Saturday's devastating 2-1 El Clasico loss to Real Madrid.

Speaking on the eve of Barcelona's crunch Champions League semi-final second-leg at Camp Nou, Pique insisted the Catalan outfit are not a one-man side despite losing the last two games in which Lionel Messi has failed to score.

The Argentine netted a brace in Barcelona's La Liga win over Levante on April 14 but was goalless against Chelsea and Real Madrid.

"Rival teams know about our strike force," Pique said.

"Messi helps us a lot but this is a team and we have other players who can score and decide a game. I don't believe in a Messi-dependency."

Pique rubbished suggestions he has fallen out with Pep Guardiola, and revealed that he desperately wants the Barcelona boss to remain at Camp Nou beyond the end of the season.

Guardiola is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to give any indication as to whether he will sign a new deal with the Catalans.

"I would put my hand in the fire for Pep to stay on," Pique said.

"Even though some people doubt it, my relationship with Guardiola is fantastic. We talk a lot more than people think.

"Being on the bench is a new experience for me, but it's the boss' decision and I have to respect it.

"And I'm confident that Guardiola will continue (with Barca) because he loves this club and this job."

 

soccerway.com

Champions League preview: Barcelona vs Chelsea

koclokindoblog, 24 April 2012, The eyes of the world will turn to Camp Nou on Tuesday when Barcelona host Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals.

Reigning champions Barca trail Chelsea 1-0 following their surprise defeat in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday.

Chelsea have been well below their best for much of the season, and few observers gave them a chance of upsetting Pep Guardiola's team.

The home side did indeed see little of the ball during the 90 minutes, but somehow snatched a goal through veteran striker Didier Drogba just before the half-time whistle.

Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez hit the woodwork for Barca, and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was called upon several times to deny the visitors.

Given the prize on offer, it would appear the coaches of both teams are prioritising Wednesday's return fixture over domestic considerations.

Chelsea's interim manager Roberto Di Matteo made a raft of changes for his team's visit to Arsenal in the English Premier League on Saturday, a match which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Meanwhile, Barca coach Pep Guardiola brought in Christian Tello and Thiago Alcantara, while leaving out Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas, for the Clasico at home to Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho's Real emerged 2-1 winners from the crunch fixture, to open up a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Those results mean Chelsea will be hard pressed to earn a place in next season's Champions League through a top-four finish, while Barca have effectively surrendered their Liga crown to Real.

So, with earning a place in the Champions League final now paramount to both clubs, this week's match looms as season-defining.

Drogba sat out the Arsenal draw with a minor knee complaint, but is likely to replace Fernando Torres in the Chelsea attack.

Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Raul Meireles, Juan Mata and John Obi Mikel could all return to the starting line-up, with Ryan Bertrand, Florent Malouda, Oriol Romeu, Daniel Sturridge and Michael Essien likely to step aside.

For Barca, Sanchez and Fabregas should come in for Tello and Alcantara.

Pedro and centre-back Gerard Pique, the latter reportedly out of favour with Guardiola, are also in contention for a place in Barca's starting 11.

 

soccerway.com