FCBARCELONA.CAT

06.05.2010 10:29

It all started in London

Sandra Sarmiento

It is a year since Andrés Iniesta scored at Stamford Bridge to send Barça to the final in Rome and the glorious conquest of six trophies in 2009.

May 6, 2009. London. A quarter to eleven at night. Champions League semi finals. Chelsea 1, Barça 0. And then a moment for history. In injury time a poor Essien clearance landed at Messi’s. An Iniesta was there for the shot his life. Barça were going to Rome. Without that amazing goal from Saint Andrés Iniesta, the Super Cup in Monaco and the Clubs World Cup in Abu Dhabi would never have existed.

The new Bakero

It was Dream Team star was latched onto an impossible cross from Koeman on November 6, 1991 when German outfit Kaiserlautern were on course for European Cup qualification. Wembley will always be linked to Koeman and his goal for Cruyff’s Barça. A year ago, Andrés Iniesta became the club’s new Bakero with a perfect strike from the edge of the area that left Cech helplessly flailing.

“I shot with all my heart”

Destiny can be curious at times. He was one of the last people expected to produce the goods at such a crucial time. “Andrés, who never goes into the area, put it in the back of the net. Pure and random talent. He deserves it” said Pep Guardiola in the Stamford Bridge pressroom after manically celebrating the goal scored by one of his favourite players. “I shot with all my heart, it came off perfectly” said the player after.

Explosion of joy in Canaletes

Iniesta last second goal sparked off celebrations in Barcelona. Thousands took to the streets following the win by Guardiola’s side, and this was just four days after the equally extraordinary 2-6 at the Bernabéu. Barça returned to El Prat airport the next day, and there were scores of fans waiting for them. A few weeks later, the trophy was Barça’s.