“It is a disgrace,” exclaimed Chelsea striker Didier Drogba as he stormed off the field after Barcelona reached the Champions League final with a 1–1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues had three legitimate penalty calls denied as Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo took charge of his first Champions League semifinal. And while Barcelona played a third of the game down a man after Eric Abidal was sent off, this game will be remembered for how an inexperienced referee can literally decide the outcome of the game.
After a scoreless draw in Barcelona last Tuesday in which Chelsea was given credit for their resolute defending, the second leg was delicately balanced to be a dynamite match.
Chelsea’s Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien opened the scoring in the ninth minute with an unbelievable volley that struck the crossbar and bounced in.
But Barcelona knew that they didn’t need to win the game to make it to the final. A draw would now suffice.
Barcelona’s chances were few and far between. And goalkeeper Victor Valdes turned in a heroic performance as he turned away Chelsea’s attacks.
Didier Drogba had a terrific match, terrorizing Barcelona’s two stand-in central defenders. He was brought down by Eric Abidal in the box and a penalty should’ve been awarded. But Ovrebo turned a blind eye. This after failing to see a handball off a Florent Malouda shot earlier.
In the 93rd minute of play, Andres Iniesta fired home a blast from the top of the 18-yard box to square the match.
But more controversy would follow as Chelsea’s Michael Ballack fired a rebound, which deflected off a Barcelona arm. Ballack was furious as he screamed at Ovrebo, flailing his arms madly.
The Blues had three legitimate penalty calls denied as Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo took charge of his first Champions League semifinal. And while Barcelona played a third of the game down a man after Eric Abidal was sent off, this game will be remembered for how an inexperienced referee can literally decide the outcome of the game.
After a scoreless draw in Barcelona last Tuesday in which Chelsea was given credit for their resolute defending, the second leg was delicately balanced to be a dynamite match.
Chelsea’s Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien opened the scoring in the ninth minute with an unbelievable volley that struck the crossbar and bounced in.
But Barcelona knew that they didn’t need to win the game to make it to the final. A draw would now suffice.
Barcelona’s chances were few and far between. And goalkeeper Victor Valdes turned in a heroic performance as he turned away Chelsea’s attacks.
Didier Drogba had a terrific match, terrorizing Barcelona’s two stand-in central defenders. He was brought down by Eric Abidal in the box and a penalty should’ve been awarded. But Ovrebo turned a blind eye. This after failing to see a handball off a Florent Malouda shot earlier.
In the 93rd minute of play, Andres Iniesta fired home a blast from the top of the 18-yard box to square the match.
But more controversy would follow as Chelsea’s Michael Ballack fired a rebound, which deflected off a Barcelona arm. Ballack was furious as he screamed at Ovrebo, flailing his arms madly.
