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Chelsea: Third time lucky?
09/04/2008 16:29 - (SA)
London - Chelsea will not care if their
Champions League semi-final against Liverpool later this month
produces another turgid defensive stand-off as long as they
finish third time lucky.
Goals from Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard earned the
Londoners a fourth tilt in five years at the final after a
scrappy 2-0 win over Fenerbahce gave them a 3-2 quarter-final
aggregate victory.
Chelsea manager Avram Grant admitted the result had been
more important than their performance, which was nervy and
disjointed.
Chelsea and Liverpool met in the 2005 and 2007 semi-finals
of Europe's top club competition, Liverpool triumphing each time
by the narrowest of margins.
Three years ago, a single Anfield goal that then manager
Jose Mourinho described as a "ghost", believing it never crossed
the line, made the difference after a goalless draw at Stamford
Bridge.
Last season the tie was decided on penalties.
Pulsating football
Given their previous encounters, few expect the semi-final
to produce the sort of gloriously pulsating European night of
football Liverpool enjoyed to beat Arsenal 4-2 on Tuesday in
their quarter-final second leg.
But there will be no shortage of motivation for Chelsea and
manager Avram Grant.
"I am desperate to get to a final having lost in the
semi-finals three times," Lampard told reporters. "The
semi-final defeats became more and more frustrating each time."
The England midfielder was also a member Claudio Ranieri's
Chelsea side who lost to Monaco in 2004.
Grant, a shock replacement for Mourinho in September, has
been told his target is to go at least one better than the
Portuguese in the competition and his job could be on the line
if they lose at the same stage again.
Grant could also find himself being judged over whether he
has fulfilled his vow to improve Chelsea's style.
Some sting may be taken from the tie without the fierce and
outspoken rivalry between Mourinho and Liverpool coach Rafael
Benitez that characterised the last three years.
By contrast the reticent Grant refused to talk about
Liverpool on Tuesday, saying only that he was optimistic by
nature.
Chelsea lead Liverpool by 11 points in the Premier League
and their two league meetings this season produced a 1-1 draw at
Anfield and 0-0 at home, though Chelsea did manage victory in
the League Cup in December.
Given Liverpool's European pedigree that is hardly an
indication of form, however, and the London side will be hoping
that playing the second leg at home this time, away from
Anfield's famous "furnace" of support, will be what tips the
balance in their favour.
- Reuters
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