Didier Drogba scored the winning goal against Barcelona, making the Chelsea fans to celebrate at their home in a 1-0 victory in the first-leg of Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Chelsea players, especially Drogba, have been waiting to take revenge on Barcelona, who played against Chelsea at the Champions League semi-final in 2009. The game was controversial for Chelsea fans, believing that the referee Tom Henning Ovrebo dismissed several penalty opportunities. After that game, Drogba was banned three games for shouting "it's a f***ing disgrace" in front of the camera.
The Wednesday's game gave Chelsea to have an advantage over Barcelona, who was silence on their away game.
Barcelona actually played well at Chelsea's home. According to the record on Union of European Football Associations' website, the defending champion had total of 24 shots, 6 on target, where else Chelsea only had 1 attempt on target. Barcelona also had 8 corners, while Chelsea only had 1. As for the ball possession, Barcelona dominated by having 72 percent.
But the most important stat - the goal scored - remained zero for Barcelona.
Chelsea was able to convert the one and only attempt on target to a goal and took the victory. Lionel Messi made a slip during the injury time after the first half, and Frank Lampard took the ball. He passed it to the Brazilian midfielder Ramires, who then passed across it to Drogba. And the Ivorian striker successfully shot the goal past goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
"It's a good result. Now we will go there and try and qualify," said Drogba.
"I am happy to play these games. We have had difficult times, but now we are winning games."
Prior to the game, Drogba said the chance of winning was 50-50. Perhaps the chance may seem higher with Wednesday's victory.
If Barcelona does not win by two or more points in the second-leg next week, they will lose the chance of becoming the first team ever to claim the European Cub two years in a row.
Barcelona won against Manchester United 3-1 last year. No single club has won the Champions League in two consecutive years since 1992 when the format was changed the current one.
The second-leg of the semi-final round between Chelsea and Barcelona will take place on April 24 at Barcelona's home Camp Nou.
