El Classic...Oh!

Pretty much everything in life can be related back to the Simpsons in some way. The latest Champions League events remind me of a moment in the classic 'Homie the Clown' episode.  Homer: "That's it!  You people have stood in my way long enough.  I'm going to clown college!"  He runs out leaving the rest of the family sat at the table perplexed, when Bart delivers the excellent line: "I don't think any of us expected him to say that."  Brilliant, and very much applicable to recent results.

The Champions League Final will be contested between Chelsea and (playing on their own patch) Bayern Munich.  Prior to these semi-final ties, surely the vast majority of people would have had Real Madrid and, even more so, Barcelona as favourites to progress and set up the Classico to end all Classico's.  Instead we're left with the final that should be dubbed 'El Classic..Oh!?!'.  Or maybe, to continue the Simpsons theme and to more accurately reflect the view of the moneymakers who would have loved an ultimate showpiece, 'El Classic...D'Oh!'

I think it will be an excellent final, certainly it's intriguing, and for the record I think both teams thoroughly deserve their place.  If the final matches the quality and excitement of the games before it, we're in for a treat.  Nearer the time we will get into previews and predictions etc but for now the time is right to reflect on those epic semi final contests. 

Chelsea's titanic effort was, fortunately for them, allied to a pair of Barcelona performances rare in their profligacy and bluntness.  Had Alexis Sanchez's shot within the first ten minutes at Stamford Bridge dropped underneath the bar, things could have been different.  Also, the last three games have been the most ineffective and frustrating that Lionel Messi has endured for absolutely years.  Certainly Chelsea benefitted from the odd slice of fortune, but I refuse to take anything whatsoever away from them.  Over two legs their resolve in defence was simply stunning.  Sure they parked the bus (the sight of Drogba and then Torres at deep full back was hilarious) but consider this - how many times during the tie did you think a Barcelona goal is imminent?  Clearly Barca had a lot of pressure, and in particular the two late shots in either leg which came back off the right hand post were the results of sustained pressure; but I don't think this result was miraculous, mind-boggling and/or inexplicable.  Between Barcelona's second and third goals in last year's Champions League Final, they were tearing Man United to shreds.  It was an irresisitble onslaught that had United completely beaten, and the third goal was an inevitability - had they continued they would have scored 6 or 7.  At no stage during this tie did they do this to Chelsea - the possession and passing was there but the Wall of Blue/White stood firm.

Added to the defensive masterclass were two performances that should be hyperlinked in a dictionary under 'clinical'.  Three chances in 180 minutes, and three goals.  The only other real opening was when the immense Drogba muscled his way through and hit the side netting, but to be so effective in front of goal - particularly when you know how crucial every chance is -  was remarkable.  Ramires' finish was just sublime, Messi-esque (and that is a huge compliment, poor form or no) and as for Fernando Torres, what an important goal this one could prove to be in terms of his recovery.  With the time to think about the enormity of his task, panic, stuff it up; Torres simply did what he used to do so routinely, and I won't be alone in being delighted for him.

The final word of this one has to go to the idiot Chelsea Captain.  For me, and I reckon many, many others, it is hilarious that John Terry will miss the final; particularly given it is his own fault for his own stupid actions.  I'm sure he has done that type of stuff in pretty much every game of his career - it's standard nasty Centre Back tricks, the pinches, stamps, dead legs - but Terry was caught bang to rights and I for one love the fact that he has robbed himself of the chance for redemption.  A good friend and Chelsea fan summed it up neatly in a text: "JT...Captain, Leader, Wanker".

Either of Chelsea's opponents going into the second leg had reason to be optimistic, as well as reason to believe destiny was theirs.  Real Madrid knew that their manager has always and will always had a deep connection to Chelsea, his former employer and a club over whom he continues to cast a long, handsome shadow.  Bayern Munich on the other hand were playing for the chance to become only the third ever team to contest the European Cup Final on their own turf, and the first in 28 years since Roma succumbed to the Grobelaar spaghetti legs.  The 2-1 first leg score gave both teams a real chance of progression.

It's Bayern who have fulfilled their destiny, although just as Chelsea before them, there was a time in the second leg when it looked like that dream had died.  To pick themselves up from the hammer blow of two early Madrid goals and equalise was an immense effort; from there both sides had chances to win it.  As with so often though when penalties roll around, it was the Germans who came out on top.

I was a bit disappointed to see the bulk of the initial celebration focussing on Bastian Schweinsteiger.  An excellent player, don't get me wrong, and of course the guy who's penalty sent them home...but Manuel Neuer deserves all the credit.  Excellently saving the first two penalties laid the foundations for Bayern to progress, even when they missed two of their own.  A minor gripe I know but I always think it is good/right when the scorer runs straight to the keeper.  In this case Bayern had a myriad of heroes.

Throughout the tie they matched Madrid, always threatening and dealing just about with the frightening weapons at Mourniho's disposal.  Madrid themselves are an excellent team now, and will no doubt go at least this far in next year's competition.  Not this year though. 

Bayern have every right to contest this final, just as Chelsea do.  They were not favourites, either of them, but over 180+ minutes of football both teams showed they have the quality, the determination and the sheer desire to be worthy Champions of Europe. 

Now, if UEFA can just hastily arrange a 3rd/4th place final maybe everyone will be happy...