Avram Grant has eyes on Champions League
By John Ley
Sport.Telegraph, 9th April 2008
Where the Special One failed, the Normal One must succeed. A night
of nerves ended with Chelsea reaching their fourth Champions League
semi-final in five years and third against Liverpool. Now, Avram
Grant is charged with overcoming Rafael Benitez's team and delivering
Chelsea into a final that so painfully eluded Jose Mourinho in his
three years at Stamford Bridge.
Goals at either end of this fractious, yet compelling, tie from
Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard, presented Chelsea with another
opportunity to achieve what is their Holy Grail. After two taut
and tense Champions League tussles with Liverpool, in 2005 and
last year, they must succeed where they previously failed if
Roman Abramovich is to fulfil his dream of seeing his club run
out in Moscow in May.
For once, the advantage is with the blue corner. In the previous
two semi-finals against Liverpool, the Reds had home advantage
in the second leg. This time it is Chelsea who will enjoy that
benefit, the first instalment at Anfield on April 22. The return is
at Stamford Bridge, on April 30, with the little matter of the
Premier League visit of Manchester United in between; in nine days
the future of Grant and Chelsea can be determined.
Going into the tie, Chelsea were trailing for the 11th time in their
European history. The fact that, for the seventh time, they have
overturned that deficit says much for their character and
determination.
The victory was achieved with Hilario, Chelsea's third-choice
goalkeeper, unexpectedly thrust into the fray. With Petr Cech
watching with a face full of stitches after a training-ground
accident, Carlo Cudicini was again called upon but the game was
just 25 minutes old when the Italian limped off, a pulled
hamstring ending his involvement.
That meant Hilario was required and after a nervous start, the
Portuguese made two late saves that pierced the heart of Fenerbahce
and led to the second, deciding goal.
Until then, Chelsea had to rely on Michael Ballack's fourth-minute
goal. For the next 83 minutes Chelsea lived on their nerves,
squandering chances and offering Fenerbahce a route back. But,
after Hilario's saves, Chelsea counter-attacked and Lampard's goal
acted as the perfect antidote to their anxiety.
Ballack had warned, a day earlier, of the importance of starting
well and the German did not disappoint. His glancing header from
Lampard's free-kick so perfectly placed that Volkan Demirel was
left motionless on his goal-line.
When the Turks finally attacked, winning a free-kick 25 yards out,
Alex's delivery was sent on a wayward journey by Deivid, who managed
an own goal before claiming the winner at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
last week. Deivid has scored five Champions League goals this season
but this effort almost ended in a throw-in.
But, just when everything appeared to be going Chelsea's way the
curse of the goalkeeper struck again when Cudicini pulled his right
hamstring with a long kick. Immediately, the Italian knew he could
not continue meaning that Hilario was thrust into the fray.
He does not play often but he has appeared this season, his last
start coming against Everton in the Carling Cup in January.
Fenerbahce soon put pressure on his goal with Lugano delivering a
31st-minute header narrowly wide.
Suddenly Chelsea looked vulnerable and Didier Drogba, guilty of
squandering chances last week, wasted another opportunity, his shot
from Joe Cole's flick planted firmly in the stomach of Demirel.
The end was both nervous and entertaining. In the 82nd minute Gokhan
Gonul prodded the ball forward and Hilario had to dive to his right
to save. Then the Portuguese made another tremendous save, from Colin
Kazim-Richards.
Before the end Michael Essien was cautioned and will miss the semi-final
first leg, but the Ghana international made a lasting impression, his
determination and cross from the right allowing Lampard a tap in to
confirm Chelsea's place in the last four. Cue relief and a determination
to make it third time lucky.
|
|
© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 2008.
Telegraph Group Limited endeavours to ensure that the
information is correct but does not accept any liability
for error or omission.
Users are permitted to copy some material for their
personal use as private individuals only. Users must not
republish any part of the data either on another website,
or in any other medium, print, electronic or otherwise,
or as part of any commercial service without the prior
written permission of Telegraph Group Limited.
|
| 
