You dirty dog Messi !

From www.chelseafc.com

Reaction: Mourinho asks the questions

Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006

Though disgruntled and disappointed with the red card handed out to Asier Del Horno, José Mourinho vowed to go to the Camp Nou in two weeks’ time with a positive attitude.

“I am proud of my players, proud of the support of the fans and prefer to go to Barcelona in a positive frame of mind.”

Mourinho refused to be drawn into an attack on the referee fearing a repeat of last year’s UEFA actions against him.

“Was it a red card? You saw it — you report it. If I say I can be suspended.

“What changed everything was the fact we were playing 10 v 11 when we should not have been. It means you cannot play a pressing game, cannot double up on the wing, cannot defend deep. You are struggling basically.”

Mourinho then reflected on Michael Essien’s suspension for both Barcelona games, the midfielder’s yellow card being upgraded to a red after extensive TV coverage provoked unprecedented action from UEFA.

“Essien was suspended for a yellow card. Del Horno has a red card. Can we revoke it?” he mused. “Can we get Messi suspended for play-acting? It would not change the result.

“Answer me this,” he continued, posing hypothetical situations. “Is it worth us going to Barcelona because if it is not, I will send my B team and leave my main players to concentrate on the League and FA Cup.”

Barcelona manager, Frank Rijkaard, saw the victory over Chelsea as “a great first step on the road to qualification for the next round. Barcelona can eliminate Chelsea but we have to work hard to achieve it.”

Lest Rijkaard has forgotten, Didier Drogba’s sending-off in the corresponding fixture last season inspired the Blues to overcome his side and progress to the next round. Could the injustice over Asier Del Horno have the same result?

Here's what Sky had to say:

Barcelona came from a goal down against ten-man Chelsea to earn a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in another controversial UEFA Champions League meeting between the two sides.

The main talking point this time came in the 37th minute when Asier Del Horno was strangely sent off after clashing with Lionel Messi in a decision that was amazingly harsh to say the very least.

and the Beeb:

The game exploded on 36 minutes when Del Horno received his red card. Messi escaped the attentions of Arjen Robben, but was halted by a clumsy challenge by the Chelsea defender. The Argentine appeared to take a look at referee Terje Hauge before rolling around theatrically - and when a melee involving players from both sides had dispersed, Del Horno was sent off.

and my personal favourite from the Sun:

LIONEL BLARE ... Del Horno clatters Messi to earn a red card

By MARK IRWIN

JOSE MOURINHO has branded Barcelona star Lionel Messi a ‘cheat’. And he also threatened to send his reserves to the Nou Camp for the Champions League return. Chelsea chief Mourinho called for Messi to be banned after he accused the Argentine of conning Norwegian ref Terje Hauge into giving a red card to Asier Del Horno for a 37th-minute foul. The Blues boss said: “Is it even worth going to Barcelona for the second leg? “If it is not I will send my B team to the Nou Camp and keep my main players here to concentrate on the Premiership and FA Cup. “How do you say cheating in Catalan? Barcelona is a cultural city with many great theatres and this boy has learned very well. He’s learned play-acting. “The kid jumps and provokes contact with Del Horno and because of that the referee gives a red card. “It was not a red card. But is TV going to show the incident 200 times a week and try to persuade UEFA to replay the game? “Michael Essien was given a yellow card against Liverpool but that was correctly changed after the game and he was given a ban. But that did not change the result. “Del Horno has been given a red card and because of that it was not a game for the final 55 minutes. Can we have the red card revoked? Can we get Messi suspended for play-acting? I don’t know. “I don’t want to say too much because then I will be suspended. But I am very proud of my team.” Messi insisted he had not a made a meal of the challenge. He said: “I don’t really know what happened.” Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard added: “Messi is not a play-actor. He gets kicked all over the place and doesn’t make anything much of it.” Samuel Eto’o headed the winner with 10 minutes left to put the Spaniards in control of the last-16 tie after own goals by Thiago Motta and Chelsea skipper John Terry.

And if you think I was upset - click on this link.

And finally - read this baloney from the drug fuelled eejit who's most famous for the 'Hand of God' incident and can hardly be described as the best character referee (oh how I hate that last word!).

Maradona hails Messi as successor

Messi is tipped as the next Argentina legend

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has hailed Barcelona's Lionel Messi as his natural successor after his Champions League display against Chelsea.

He said: "I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentinian football and his name is Messi.

"Messi is beautiful to watch - my kind of player in our blue and white jersey.

"He's a leader and is offering classes in beautiful football. He has something different to any other player in the world," added Maradona

And the former World Cup-winning captain said: "Messi is the best player in the world, along with Ronaldinho. I see him as very similar to me."

Former Barcelona player and coach Johan Cruyff said Messi "is the reason why Barcelona are a better team this season. The boy can conquer the whole stage".

Last June Messi was the inspiration behind Argentina's under-20 World Cup win. He was named player of the tournament in Holland and was also the leading goalscorer.

And such has been his impact that Argentina boss Jose Pekerman is under mounting pressure to take him to this summer's World Cup in Germany.