Connect with us

Sports

Lionel Messi goal felt like a hammer blow but Chelsea have recovered from self-inflicted setbacks against Barcelona before

Published

on

It felt like a hammer blow, felt like it should be some sort of defining moment in another epic tie between these clubs.

Self-inflicted setbacks always feel like that, always seem to promise crueller repercussions, always seem to have greater significance.

That is why despondency was etched deep, not just into Andreas Christensen’s features but into Antonio Conte’s, into the outstanding Willian’s, into the thousands who poured from the Bridge deflated.

A solitary defensive aberration, punished by the regal composure of Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, means the odds now favour Barcelona’s progression to the last eight. Of course they do.

Yet not only can Chelsea go into battle brandishing a record of eight games against Barcelona without defeat, not only do you have to go back a dozen years for their last reverse in the Nou Camp, there was enough in this captivating opening leg to give Conte considerable grounds for optimism.

Willian celebrates after scoring (Image: PA)
Messi levels the scores (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Chelsea’s players react (Image: REUTERS)

Willian’s performance, for a start.

In a first half which featured territorial domination form Barcelona but a marked reluctance and inability to get Thibaut Courtois involved, sweetly-struck Willian efforts hit an upright apiece.

ALSO READ  Ronaldo Claims Champions League Bragging Rights Over Messi

On both occasions, Marc-Andre ter Stegen was statically powerless as first his left and then his right post came to the Barcelona keeper’s assistance.

Willian was the wild card in Conte’s pack, one cutting run from deep ended only by the naked cynicism of Ivan Rakitic.

That is why it was no surprise when he sent Chelsea ahead.

Willian opens the scoring (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Chelsea players celebrate Willian’s opening goal (Image: AFP)
Willian celebrates (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Despite the clanging warnings of the first half, Willian was allowed to linger in his own exclusion zone just outside the penalty area for a corner.

When it reached him, via Hazard, there was only one item on the agenda and it was a finish that will get better with every viewing.

The dart to the side of Sergio Busquets gave him the room, the inside of his right boot did the rest, bending his hit around Rakitic and around colleague Antonio Rudiger.

It will go down as a finish in keeping with Willian’s status as a Chelsea performer – under-rated.

Willian has to be a key factor in Conte’s gameplan in the Nou Camp in three weeks’ time.

Eden Hazard in action with Samuel Umtiti (Image: REUTERS)
Antonio Rudiger struggled to keep tabs on Lionel Messi (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

His fantastic contribution here would have been of even greater significance had Christensen not inexplicably sent a defensive cross-field pass into the path of Iniesta who eluded a desperate and ill-advised Cesar Azpilicueta and not only teed up Messi’s duck-breaking strike, but teed up what should be an epic second leg in Barcelona.

ALSO READ  Klopp praises his record-breaking side and backs Reds to continue scoring

It should not be one that Chelsea approach with a lack of confidence despite Messi’s equaliser and despite some indifferent domestic form.

Possession and heat map-wise, it will be more of the same but with 73 percent of the ball here and with 887 passes to Chelsea’s 325, Barcelona had four fewer attempts at goal.

Even with Messi’s ball-on-remote-control brilliance, there was a distinct lack of incisiveness in this Barcelona display and even saddled with the thankless task of being a false nine, Eden Hazard showed enough to suggest he will be a considerable threat on the Catalan counter.

Andreas Christensen cost Chelsea dear (Image: REUTERS)
Messi curls home the leveller (Image: CameraSport)
The Argentine celebrates (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Likewise Willian, who might actually have headed off Barca’s comeback had he found N’Golo Kante at the end of one particularly threatening breakaway.

But this was, unsurprisingly, a contest of fine margins, just as the renewal in Barcelona is likely to be, just as it was back in 2012 when Chelsea, with ten men after the dismissal of John Terry, recovered from two goals down to draw and go through to the Champions League final.

Examples of recovering from self-inflicted setbacks do not come much starker than that.

ALSO READ  Paul Pogba can lead France to win World Cup next year – Makelele

Similar heroics will be required next month but for all the despondency after one costly moment, do not put those heroics past them.

 

 

 

Advertisement
Comments

Sports

Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

Published

on

By

Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.

Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.

The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.

Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.

The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”

ALSO READ  Stan Kroenke tells 'wonderfully rabid' fans: He's about winning trophies and not money

Continue Reading

Sports

Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

Published

on

By

 

Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.

In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.

Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.

His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.

Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.

While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

ALSO READ  Arsenal’s 14-man shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger including Massimiliano Allegri, Joachim Low and Thierry Henry

His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.

Continue Reading

Sports

“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

Published

on

By

Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.

The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.

On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.

The player’s entourage declined to comment.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.

The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.

Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.

Testosterone promotes muscle development.

Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.

Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.

ALSO READ  Paul Pogba can lead France to win World Cup next year – Makelele

In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.

Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.

The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.

Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.

Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.

His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

After the first sample tested positive on September 11,  Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.

 

ALSO READ  Chelsea playing hardball over Antonio Conte's pay-off after his treatment of Diego Costa

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Tweets by ‎@megaiconmagg

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Trending