I was never up for the Manchester United /Chelsea all England final.
Barcelona and the soccer gods come to the rescue at Stamford Bridge. This was billed as tactics vs. more skilled opposition and truly that is how Chelsea and Guus Hiddink played it.
If they felt they could have played more open against Barcelona then they would have done it. Call it a sign of respect for Barcelona.
Instead Chelsea at home sat back defended well and put on a feast for the eyes for tacticians who love a plan carried out for perfection.
I must say other than outside back Daniel Alves where was the width in the Barca attack? Lionel Messi flared up occasionally but didn’t produce much.
Just when we were about to be told about the tactical genius in this win of Hiddink and Chelsea in waltzes Andries Iniesta who hits an unbelievable goal to tie it at one and advance Barcelona to the Champions League final against Barcelona. Chelsea hearts are broken in a blink of an eye.
Chelsea was an immovable object defending deep at home and Lionel Messi and company could not break them down. Alves was their main threat and Thierry Henry was a huge miss as was Carlos Puyol and Rafa Marquez.
The amazing hit from Michael Essien left me breathless……to put Chelsea up. It was a wonder goal and further defined the defend and counter tactics.
To be fair Didier Drogba on this night turned into a “diver” as did others on Chelsea. English teams being more in integrity than others when it comes to diving does not hold up on this occasion . I thought the big man Drogba went to the ground rather easily and then we see him sourrounding the referee after the game with other Chelsea players.
I for one am glad this is Manchester United vs. Barcelona in the final. It just seems far more appealing and it will be interesting to see the tactical thought process of Alex Ferguson.

GOALS OF AMAZING QUALITY:

First the MICHAEL ESSIEN “goal of a lifetime” was a stunning volley off his left foot that fell to him. He just lashed it in!!!

ANDRES INIESTA’S goal was magical because he never had a run at it to hit it. He was basically planted on one foot and hit it amazingly well. Watch the video and you will see he does not get a proper run up to the ball which is what makes this even more amazing!

Give me your thoughts? Drogba a diver? Barca lucky and Chelsea unlucky or was this a win for football?

Not that this should be any surprise to anyone but according to Italian media, David Beckham is hoping to never play another game in MLS.
Beckham, again according to the Italian media, has instructed his lawyers to find a loop-hole and get him out of the contract.
Beckham is expected to return to LA during June to finish the rest of the MLS season before re-joining AC Milan presumably in 2010.
I have mentioned this before like others that there is no way that he is relishing coming back to MLS with the World Cup in South Africa right around the corner and his want to be in that squad.
There is no telling what his management group or handlers are telling this man and the story is deeper than we will ever know.
Will coming back to MLS now even look in integrity and in earnest from Beckham?

Yes! Respect for the Houston Dynamo winning two titles and drawing crowds of 30,000 fans.
I am all behind Brooks, Ming, Scola and company to knock off the LA Lakers living in La La Land, in fact it is going to happen.
The Rockets are a great story after losing McGrady and finding their collective spirit, opportunity for others and it all coming together under a savvy coach.
But when I hear local sports jocks and others talking about lack of championships here in Houston I find it sad.
Sad that others minds are so closed and they fail to see what an asset the Dynamo is to the city and that is without mentioning the degree of difficulty in winning the titles and what they have meant to drawing attention to our fair city.
The city of Houston has a breathe of fresh air and it is called the Houston Dynamo and professional soccer. Don’t you believe the Dynamo deserve the respect of other professionals teams in town including the Rockets, Astros and Texans?
Now get your tails out to the Dynamo/FC Dallas match so the neighbors to the north can be straightened out. And if you have never been to a Dynamo game then take in the atmosphere and then get back to me, it could be life changing.

BARCELONA AT CHELSEA

Here we go today with an amazing match that is pitting the amazing overall skill of a squad against the tactical acumen of Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink.
The 0-0 first leg leaves us to this and a trip to Rome for the winner to take on Manchester United who disposed of tame Arsenal yesterday.
Sorry Gunners fans.
Now lots of things are clear here. If Barcelona don’t get past Chelsea the comments will flow about their inability to adapt to more rigid tactics and that they have it easy in La Liga.
But the above statement only exemplifies the beauty of the Champions League; that teams have to adjust to differentiating playing styles.
Now Chelsea fans have pretty much annointed themselves in the final but I would like you to come down and just consider this; Barcelona gets the opening road goal at Stamford Bridge through Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta or Samuel Eto’o.
Now this would be why we watch………The first goal in this one is key.

Thoughts? Blues or Barca fans step up?