The Greatest Game

On 7 Mar 2005; Chelsea took on Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 2nd Leg at Stamford Bridge. It was a match that took place amidst mind games; death threats and individual genius; leading to the DVD recording of it being titled 'The Greatest Game'. They weren't far wrong. But to understand this particular game; you have to look back at the first leg.

That game itself was dramatically won by Barcelona who came from behind to win 2-1; after Didier Drogba had been controversially sent off by referee Anders Frisk; leading to the famous 'invite Frank Rijkaard into dressing room' and 'death threat' rumours that led to Frisk retiring from the refereeing world altogether.

There was so much tension riding on this match; it seemed the whole world was watching. This was perhaps the two best teams in Europe at that time. And Chelsea seemed to relieve the tension with all guns blazing. As fast as a Damien Duff sprint; they went 3-0 up inside 19 minutes with goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen; Frank Lampard and Duff. It seemed they were on their way through already.

But in a bizarre sequence of events; Barcelona responded with two quick-fire goals of their own; both from their superstar Ronaldinho. First; a seemingly-needless handball from Paulo Ferreira gifted a penalty in the 27th minute; then 11 minutes later; Ronaldinho produced the 'toe-poke goal' after hypnotising a swathe of Chelsea defenders with the 'foot-feint'. Amazingly after 38 minutes; it was 3-2 Chelsea and Barcelona were going through on away goals.

The rest of the match was filled with tension and chances. It was like: Will Chelsea make it? Can Barca hold on? Can Barca hold on? Will Chelsea make it? You get the idea. It was almost like you couldn't breathe; it was that tense. Finally in the 75th minute; I still remember that moment when Duff sent over the corner; and John Terry rose like a salmon (and I mean a salmon) to head home beautifully at the far post. Suddenly Chelsea were through; and that's how it stayed.

At the end of the match; I still remember Jose Mourinho dashing onto the pitch and couldn't wait to let the world knew he had won the match (as is his style). And he went over to one player in particular - Lampard; celebrating and putting his arm around him in true Father-and-Son style. Lampard had indeed put in an out-of-this-world performance. And the same could be said of the match.