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Chelsea holds Barcelona to 0-0 tie
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.”