Since Wednesday evening, the road to Rome and the Champions League Final has a name, Andrés Iniesta. His goal in the 93rd minute boosted the fans from despair to joy.
The nail-biting finale to the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea will become yet another
golden page in the history of FC Barcelona. Just when it seemed that Barça’s dream was over
– down to ten men after Abidal was sent off in the 65th minute, in injury time and the
players exhausted – the bravery, fight and persistence of Guardiola’s men were finally
rewarded.
In the dying moments
In the 93rd minute Iniesta received the ball just outside the box knowing that the dream of
Rome was rapidly fading. However, he connected a perfect drive and classified Barça for the sixth
European final in the Club’s history.
First shot on target
Iniesta’s goal silenced the local fans but produced an explosion of euphoria among
Barça fans around the world. It was the first – and last –Barça effort on target
throughout the entire match.
The build-up to the goal
The movement that led to the gaol started with Touré Yaya, who passed to Piqué who in turn
picked out Iniesta. Andrés then threaded a long ball to Dani Alves on the right wing who crossed
into the Chelsea penalty area. Terry’s headed clearance came to Eto'o but the Cameroon
striker couldn’t control the ball.
Essien fumbled the clearance to Messi who immediately passed across the front of the box to
Iniesta. The Spanish international midfielder connected perfectly with his right foot and the ball
screamed into the top right hand corner of Cech’s goal.
An explosion of euphoria
The subsequent celebration by the Barça players, coaching staff and fans
was in stark contrast to the fury of the local players, who couldn’t believe they had lost
their place in the Rome final. Only one team could make it through to the final, and fate decided
that it would be Barça, true throughout the tie to their attacking style of football.
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Iniesta and eight more back in the final
FC Barcelona’ last appearance in a Champions League final was three years ago in Paris. No
fewer than nine players from the current squad were there in May 2006 and were crowned champions of
Europe: Iniesta, Jorquera, Valdés, Márquez, Puyol, Sylvinho, Eto'o, Xavi and Messi. On that
occasion, both Xavi and Messi were sidelined by injury.