BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—After becoming the first team to hold Barcelona scoreless since the Spanish league’s opening weekend last August, Chelsea headed home in good position to advance to the European Champions League final for the second straight year.
“It’s quite an achievement against a team that plays beautiful football,” Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said after Tuesday night’s 0-0 tie in the first leg of the semifinals.
Both goalkeepers made important stops, with Victor Valdes getting his hands up quickly to stop Didier Drogba following a defensive lapse in the 39th minute — Chelsea’s only shot on goal to Barcelona’s 12.
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech dove to keep Samuel Eto’o’s shot out in the 70th after the Barcelona forward had shook off Alex to get a clear chance from close range. Cech made several clutch saves down the stretch, the most notable on substitute Aleksandr Hleb moments after Bojan Krkic had headed a clear chance from point blank over the goal.
“They won’t be able to play like they did today, just waiting on everything in their own half,” Eto’o said. “Drawing at home is not a bad thing for the team. Playing away in the return leg just means we have to score that away goal that will settle us.”
Barcelona was held scoreless for the first time since starting the Spanish league season with a 1-0 loss to Numancia last Aug. 31 on the opening weekend. Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez pulled up in the 50th minute with a left knee injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season and was replaced by captain Carles Puyol.
“Rafa’s loss was the worst news today,” Barcleona coach Pep Guardiola said.
Chelsea hosts the second leg at Stamford Bridge on May 6, with the winner advancing to the May 27 final in Rome. Puyol is suspended for the match.
“It’s a fantastic result, Chelsea captain John Terry said. “They had a lot of possession, but we stayed very tight. We watched videos before the game: They like to play little balls through, and we knew that and stopped them doing it.”
Defending champion Manchester United, which won last year’s final on penalty kicks, hosts Arsenal on Wednesday night in the other semifinal.
Cech smothered Henry’s chance in the 31st and blocked a hard shot from the France striker two minutes later.
It was the two clubs fourth meeting in five European campaigns, and things heated up as the fouls mounted.
Barcelona had a major blow in the 50th when Marquez pulled up with a left knee injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, making way for Puyol. Barcelona’s defense will be short-handed for the return leg at Stamford Bridge on May 6 with Puyol suspended after being booked in the 74th.
