Combative Blues threaten Guardiola’s Midas touch

LONDON - Reuters

Chelsea’s Ivorian striker Didier Drogba (R) outshined Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi (L) in the two teams’ first meeting, thanks to scoring the winning goal in the game at Stamford Bridge. AFP photo

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is in danger of tarnishing his reputation as the man with the Midas touch when the holders seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League semifinal second leg at the Nou Camp.

The 41-year-old former Barca and Spain midfielder has inspired the Catalan club to an impressive 13 trophies since he took charge in 2008, including three straight Spanish league titles and Champions League triumphs in 2009 and 2011.

However, elimination from Europe’s elite club competition would be a fresh blow following Saturday’s 2-1 La Liga reverse at home to Real Madrid which put their bitter Spanish rivals seven points clear at the top with four games left.

Real could get another crack at Barca in next month’s Champions League final if they manage to get past Bayern Munich, who are seeking to protect a 2-1 lead from last week’s first leg when they play at the Bernabeu tomorrow.

Guardiola suffered the rare embarrassment of having to explain why his tactics failed against Real after he left Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro out of his starting lineup and gambled on 20-year-old B-team winger Cristian Tello.

The pacy Tello showed flashes of promise but wasted one of Barca’s best chances with a wild effort, while Sanchez scored immediately after coming off the bench.

Fabregas had scant opportunity to demonstrate the creativity and eye for goal that Barca paid Arsenal 40 million euros ($52.8 million) for when he replaced Tello with only 10 minutes left.

“If I had left other players out you would probably be asking me now why I did not include them,” a defensive Guardiola told a post-match news conference.

“Maybe I did get it wrong,” he added. “Maybe with Cesc or other players it would have gone better, who knows?”
 
MESSI THWARTED

Real coach Jose Mourinho, by contrast, executed a successful game plan that appeared to be modelled on the one his former club Chelsea used in last week’s first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Allowing Barça to dominate possession, defending resolutely and looking to unleash swift counter attacks worked for both sides, but they also needed a slice or two of luck to thwart World Player of Year and Champions League top scorer Lionel Messi and his team mates.

“In the end I have to take the consequences for my decisions and there is always a reason for those that I take,” said Guardiola, who has yet to extend his contract beyond the end of this season, prompting speculation he could step aside.

“The adjective disappointing is not appropriate for what we did in London or here,” he added.

“Disappointing is when your people do not perform. It’s one thing to win or lose but disappointing is not the right word.”

Didier Drogba, the scourge of Barca last week, is Chelsea’s main injury doubt having missed Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal with a knee injury.

Not only did the Ivorian striker score the only goal, he continually disrupted the flow of the game by falling to the floor, prompting ridicule and criticism of his antics on Twitter and other social media. If Drogba is missing, Fernando Torres will almost certainly lead the attack against a club he tormented during his stint at Atletico Madrid.

The misfiring striker netted seven goals in 10 La Liga matches against Barca and twice scored doubles at the Nou Camp but has suffered a spectacular loss of form since moving to London from Liverpool midway through the 2010-11 season.

Chelsea will definitely be without injured Brazilian center back David Luiz, but in his absence Gary Cahill and captain John Terry look to be forging a solid partnership.

Interim coach Roberto Di Matteo, who played against Guardiola in a Champions League quarter-final in the 1999-2000 campaign, seemed to be using Saturday’s match against Arsenal as something of a dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s game.

To use Mourinho’s phrase, the Italian “parked the bus” in front of goal at the Emirates as they got the result that, if repeated on Tuesday, would see them through to the final.

“Chelsea played with three defensive midfielders in the middle so it was difficult to play through there,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “They wanted to practise the system they will use on Tuesday night.”