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Un Chelsea abbastanza guardingo ma che ha avuto anche qualche discreta occasione esce indenne dal campo del Barcellona e conserva buone possibilità di ottenere l’ accesso alla finale di Roma avendo il vantaggio di potere sfruttare il fattore campo nel “retourn-match”. Al seguito dei “Blues” ha presenziato un buon numero di fans ( foto ) che sono riusciti a farsi sentire nella bolgia dei 95mila spettatori presenti. Intanto i tifosi dell’ Everton polemizzano per avere ricevuto solo 25mila biglietti per la finale della FA Cup in programma il 30 maggio a “Wembley” , lo stesso ammontare di tagliandi riservati ai fans londinesi, mentre i restanti 40mila tagliandi dovrebbero essere distribuiti tra “fans” neutrali ed omaggi a tesserati ed autorità. E’ scesa in campo anche la società di Liverpool dichiarando che, trattandosi della prima finale giocata dalla squadra negli ultimi quattordici anni, non avrebbe avuto difficoltà a gestire una disponibilità di 70mila tagliandi e che, ovviamente, quelli disponibili saranno riservati preferenzialmente ai supporters che hanno assistito a tutti o alla stragrande maggioranza degli incontri giocati. Anche il Chelsea, seppure in tono minore, è insoddisfato della dotazione ricevuta ma quello che indispettisce maggiormente i fans è che, prima che i biglietti vengano stampati, siti internet “specializzati”, prenotino già gli stessi ad un prezzo di circa mille euro caduno. A tale proposito, la “Football Association” ha lanciato una campagna contro il bagarinaggio dal nome “Out the touts”.
Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea produced a spirited defensive display to stop Barcelona from scoring in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in the Camp Nou.
“The Spanish league leaders enjoyed plenty of possession, but struggled to create many clear-cut chances.Thierry Henry forced Petr Cech to save and Bojan headed over from two yards, before Cech stopped Alex Hleb’s effort.Chelsea almost nicked a goal as Didier Drogba was foiled by Victor Valdes, while Michael Ballack headed just over.But Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink will be delighted with his side’s defensive fortitude as they kept a clean sheet against arguably the finest attacking team in Europe.It means the Blues will fancy their chances of reaching a second successive Champions League final when they meet in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.For long periods Chelsea had to be content with watching Barca knock the ball around as they gave yet another masterclass in possession.Chelsea played right into their hands, with Cech among the main protagonists as his long, aimless kicks only served to gift the ball straight back to Barca.But for a team that this season has scored four goals in a game six times, five goals five times and six goals four times, the hosts were surprisingly unable to broker many genuine chances.For all the twinkle-toed approach play of the industrious Andres Iniesta and Henry down the left, they struggled to get close to the Chelsea goal with the regularity their approach demanded.Twice in the opening stages Cech flapped at crosses from the left but the Blues survived and they fashioned a half-chance of their own when Florent Malouda’s cross found Frank Lampard and he curled wide from 25 yards.Barca were seeing far more of the ball, but they grew increasingly frustrated by Chelsea’s solid rearguard action and were quickly reduced to shooting from outside the area.Henry twice chanced his arm, once testing Cech with a low drive and then lashing in a fierce shot from 22 yards that the Czech keeper did well to parry behind.It seemed as though Barca were trying to wear Chelsea down, but they were very close to going in at half-time a goal down.Rafael Marquez’s backpass was woefully short and Drogba fastened on to the loose ball only to see his shot well saved by Valdes, the keeper getting up quickly to deny the Ivorian from the rebound.Chelsea’s spirits were lifted by their sudden involvement in the match and right at the second half they nearly took the lead again, Ballack flashing a header wide from Drogba’s free-kick.The Barca fans were growing increasingly restless at their team’s lack of openings, but Pep Guardiola’s side merely continued to probe away in their usual manner.Half-chances came and went as Xavi’s corner was volleyed over by the off-key Lionel Messi, before Daniel Alves, in typically fiery mood throughout, stung the palms of Cech from out on the right.Alves went even closer when his 30-yard free-kick brushed the top of Cech’s net before Samuel Eto’o, on the day he was linked with a move to Manchester City, raced through only to shoot at Cech’s outstretched left leg.Barca’s best chances came deep into injury time as Bojan, on for Henry, remarkably headed an Alves cross over from point-blank range, before fellow sub Alex Hleb was foiled by a fine Cech save.Chelsea may not have got the away goal Hiddink craved before the game, but their Dutch manager will surely be delighted by the outcome”
Everton issue Cup tickets warning
Everton fans will be forced to buy tickets from touts if they want to watch the FA Cup final against Chelsea, says chief executive Robert Elstone.
“Elstone is unhappy with their 25,109 allocated tickets for the 30 May final, having sold over 32,000 for their semi-final win over Manchester United.”It is clear to us that 25,000 is a hugely inadequate figure, it is so disappointing,” the Toffees chief said.”It is inevitable that too many tickets will end up in the wrong hands.”With Chelsea receiving a similar allocation for the 90,000 capacity Wembley Stadium, around 40,000 tickets will be given to what is called “the football family”.Elstone added: “The allocation to both Everton and Chelsea is not only too small it is, sadly, hopelessly inadequate and will drive ticketless supporters towards the touts.
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As a club, all we can do is to try to ensure that our allocation ends up in the hands of those who have proved their dedication to Everton
Everton chief executive Robert Elston
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“While the Football Association tries to close these outlets down, it only happens after the event. It all smacks of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.”As a direct consequence of the FA’s decision to award us just 25,000 tickets for the ultimate in prestige games we are faced with trying to squeeze not a quart but a gallon into a pint-pot.”We really feel for our fans. It is a smack in the face for everything we are trying to do both in terms of growing our fan base and growing as a business.”Unfortunately, there was no scope for negotiation when we met with the FA.
“Promises have been made already about where the other 40,000 tickets are going, and I suspect they have been posted. All we can do is express our immense disappointment.“The match will be Everton’s first FA Cup final in 14 years and Elstone predicted that “we could sell in excess of 70,000 tickets for this game“.The club say they will distribute their tickets based on how many games fans have seen this season, above their normal season-ticket quota.”I would estimate that two out of every three Evertonians who would dearly love to be at this game will not be at Wembley,” added Elstone.”As a club, all we can do is to try to ensure that our allocation ends up in the hands of those who have proved their dedication to Everton.”Many supporters will seriously consider going down other avenues in search of tickets. I would urge them to steer well clear of the countless internet ticket agencies which claim to already have tickets – they do not.”
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Chelsea have revealed that the size of their allocation means it is unlikely there will be sufficient tickets for all of their hospitality and non-hospitality season ticket holders.However, they too said on their official website they intend to “ensure there will be as fair an allocation of the tickets as possible in line with the club’s ticketing policy.”
Tickets that are not allocated to either club are distributed to alternative groups which include the regional FAs and referees, sponsors and charity partners.Last year, 17,000 tickets went to Club Wembley – the 10-year season ticket allocation which were sold to help cover the cost of building the ground.The FA also revealed on Thursday that tickets will be priced in four categories: £34.30, £58.65, £78.30 and £93.These are the same pricing levels as for the 2008 final, amended to take into account the VAT reductionIt has been revealed that Cup final tickets are being offered for sale on the internet before they are issued to football clubs with prices reaching over £1000.In response the FA have launched a new “Out the Touts” campaign designed to crack down on such illegal selling of tickets by requesting fans who have purchased tickets to send them to the FA in order that the origin can be traced.”