SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG (1945 BST)
Chelsea v
Barcelona (agg: 0-0)
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606: DEBATE
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To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111 . (Not all contributions can be used)
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By Jonathan Stevenson
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1747: Here's another predo for you: If Didier Drogba produces a 9/10 performance for Chelsea, they will play in the final. He might just be the most important individual on that Stamford Bridge pitch. Even more so than the glorious Lionel Messi.
1744: Stats, stats, more stats. Barcelona have failed to beat Chelsea in their last four matches and they've also gone four games without beating Manchester United. They've been lauded to the heavens all season long, but this Barca team are going to have to set even higher standards if they want to win the Champions League this year.
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From Anonymous, via text on 81111: "I'm a Port Vale fan, but nights like this make me question why."
A Valiant effort at getting on the live text...
1736: It's difficult to disagree with Sinspaw, below, though I don't think Chelsea will necessarily play in an open fashion, not right from the start, anyway. Certainly not like Real did on Saturday. For the record, this season Barca have scored four goals in a game six times, five goals five times and six goals five times. That's why people like watching them.
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From Sinspaw on 606:
"I can't help but feel that Chelsea are doomed. They're going to have to open up if they want to score - can you really see Barcelona not scoring a goal to an open team these days?"
Join the debate on 606
1727:
If cricket's your thing, why not pop over to live text on the first Test of the English summer as Andrew Strauss's brave boys take on West Indies at Lord's. Frankly, I think it's ludicrous that a Test match is starting on a Wednesday. Sir Tom Fordyce is in the chair - he's not an actual Sir, mind. Well, he is in the Les Ferdinand sense, you get me?
Live text - England v West Indies
1723: Want a stat? Thought so. Based on all 0-0 first-leg results in European competition, Chelsea have a 66.8% chance of reaching the Champions League final.
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From Beano, in Northwood, via text on 81111: "I'm an Arsenal fan and while you cant help but marvel at football Barca play, you still have to admire the cussed resilience of this Chelsea team."
1715: Barca have a major selection headache to sort out as they decide who partners Gerard Pique at centre-half. Captain Carles Puyol is banned and Gaby Milito and Rafa Marquez are injured. Uruguayan Martin Caceres is an option, as are left-back Eric Abidal and midfielders Sergio Busquets and Yaya Toure. Whoever plays, they'd better be ready for the fearsome physical presence of Didier Drogba.
1711: Barcelona and Chelsea have met on three previous occasions in knockout games in the Champions League and Barca have come out on top twice - though on each occasion, the side with home advantage in the second leg has prevailed.
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From RetroGirl on 606:
"I'm a Spurs fan, but will be cheering on the English team - how can we do anything else? Barca play pretty stuff, but strength and determination are also great to watch too."
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1704: I feel like we're split on this one. Half of the people love Barca and love the way they play and want them to win because of that. And the other half seem to be getting bored of what has been dubbed a 'Barca love-fest'. What is certain is that pretty passes alone will not guarantee victory tonight.
1700: Now then. Listen carefully, because I shall say this only once: I'm not making a predo tonight. But I will say this - whoever scores first (discounting shootout penos) will go to Rome. Trust me.
1655:
Alfredo Relano, editor of Spanish sports daily AS, had this to say after Barca beat Real Madrid 6-2 in the Bernabeu on Saturday: "Football of this quality can only be played in paradise." Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink preferred to call the performance "respectable".
Superb Barca destroy rivals Real
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From Gareth, via text on 81111: "It's not wrong to admire Barcelona for their style of football. But it is wrong and arrogant to think, like Barca fans do, that it is the only way to play. Defence is as much a part of football as attack."
True. But I know which I'd rather see my team doing.
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From I want curly hair too on 606:
"(See 1630) It is if you support Man United, Chelsea or Real Madrid, but if not feel free to be charmed."
Join the debate on 606
1645:
There's plenty of time for you to have your say isn't there? I mean, no-one - but no-one, even myself - just wants to read me banging on about rubbish for the next three hours. So try and bring a little sunshine into our lives, via text on 81111, and on 606 too.
Join the debate on 606
1641: Personally, as you know, I always quite like it when football ends up the winner. And let's face it, the way Barca have played this season, that has happened a staggering number of times. But I also thought Chelsea were sensational in the Camp Nou, and stopping them from scoring was a magnificent achievement. The last team to do that, was a certain Man Utd in a certain semi-final last season...
1635: Welcome to coverage of the second Champions League semi-final, as Chelsea entertain Barcelona at Stamford Bridge to decide who will get to meet Manchester United in Rome at the end of the month.
1630: Here's a hypothetical question for you: Is it wrong, even if you're English, to be so charmed by the way Barcelona play their football that you almost hope they win everything in sight?
We've got 195 minutes to talk about this, so take your time.
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