Thursday 26 April 2012

Terry Let Teammates Down

Chelsea skipper, John Terry, admits he let his teammates down, after he saw red for lashing out at Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez in the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp.

Terry was dismissed for violent conduct following an off-the-ball incident with Sanchez. Chelsea stayed strong to record an incredible 3-2 aggregate victory, but Terry will now miss the final in Munich. Make your football predictions for the final before the start of the match.

"I feel I've let them [teammates] down. I've apologised and I apologise to the fans", said Terry.

The experienced defender was sent off in the 37th minute, minutes after Sergio Busquets had levelled the tie. Andres Iniesta put Barcelona in control of the contest, two minutes before the break, and it looked to be a case of damage limitation for the Blues.

However, Ramires gave Chelsea a much-needed fillip on the stroke of half-time, with a sublime chip, one that proved crucial in the final reckoning.

Nerves crept into the Barcelona performance, epitomised by Lionel Messi’s shock penalty miss at the start of the second half.

Chelsea held off the Barcelona charge and sealed a stunning triumph in injury time, when Fernando Torres ran clear to book the Blues’ place in the May showpiece.

Terry – along with suspended trio Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic, and Raul Meireles – will not line-up against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich on May 19, but Chelsea caretaker boss, Roberto di Matteo, refused to condemn his captain for his rush of blood.

"He's the captain of our club. Everybody can make a mistake in life. We're just so happy that this group has managed to go to the final", said the Italian.

Chelsea will discover who their final will be opponents when Real Madrid and Bayern Munich face off at the Bernabeu, on Wednesday night. The Germans hold a 2-1 advantage going into the second leg.

The Blues are perhaps this season's surprise package; many had expected the London side to fail, in the early stages of the tournament, especially those making Champions League knock-out bets.

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