John Terry couldn’t be luckier in the circumstances: he’s a complete fool to have done what he did – the one thing he should be able to offer as an ‘elder statesman’ is self-control & sportsmanship – but imagine the recriminations if a 10 man Chelsea team had not pulled off the incredible feat of beating Barcelona.

The Spanish sports newspaper, El Mundo Deportivo, likens the unexpected loss for Barcelona as similar of that to their loss against Benfica in the 1961 European Cup Final – lucky them that they have to reach back that far to come up with a parallel experience!http://www.sportspages.com/football/football_programmes/european_cup_champions_league_finals/benfica_v_barcelona_1961_(european_cup_final)_24302?search&q=24302 Catalan’s Barcelona had got to that final having done the unthinkable at that time: they had finally beaten Real Madrid, the reigning champions for the last five years,  their deadly, bitter rivals and the team supported by  Catalonia’s then great oppressor, General Franco.

Fortunately, last night’s match was just a game with no huge political or nationalist significance, but what a huge step for Chelsea. I don’t really understand why di Matteo is still the ‘caretaker’ manager. What more does he have to do to get the job?