Genius in Short Supply

For all the pre-match hype and the colourful history between the two sides, Chelsea’s clash with Barcelona in the Champions’ League can scarcely be said to have come up to expectations.

To begin with, despite Special efforts to have us believe otherwise, the dismissal of Asier Del Horno in the 35th minute was neither the height of injustice nor the death knell for Chelsea’s hopes of getting a result. Indeed, it is arguable that in the second half in particular, they played better and looked more dangerous with 10 men than they had ever seemed with the full set.

As for Barcelona, the few magical moments they provided could not disguise the fact that for most of the game they were disappointing. They did not defend well and as a result they managed to make Chelsea look a great deal more effective as an attacking force than they were, as the goal which they conceded amply demonstrates. It started with a free kick for a tackle that was unnecessary and though Lampard’s cross was well placed, it was really the misunderstanding between defender and goalkeeper that produced Motta’s embarrassing own goal.

In attack, with the exception of 18 year old Argentinian prodigy Messi, they were even more disappointing, largely because both Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o gave the impression that on this occasion their genius would be strictly rationed, and partly because once Barcelona had established the lead late in the game, they showed no particular urgency about extending it – something they may come to regret.

Barcelona’s goals provided ample evidence that when players like Ronaldinho and Eto’o extend themselves, they are irresistible – but these days it is possible to gain the impression that the word’s top players are not prepared to be irresistible very often.

Perhaps they are saving themselves.