Chelsea v Barcelona: Spanish celebrate Andres Iniesta 'miracle'

07 May 2009 12:48
Iniesta lashed home the leveller in the third minute of added time to eliminate Chelsea on Wednesday night and send the Catalonians into raptures. Three of the four main sports newspapers in the country had a picture of the Barca hero taking up almost the entire front page and AS hailed the 24-year-old for "working a miracle". The front page of Barcelona-based newspaper Sport screamed "Wow wow wow, we're going to Rome!" while almost half of its 64 pages were dedicated to Pep Guardiola's men. Many of the other Spanish newspapers also included a smaller story on their front page. Only the sports daily Marca, who traditionally favour Barca's bitter rivals Real Madrid, relegated the Catalans' European dream to a note on their front page. Tucked on top of an enormous picture of former Madrid president Ramon Calderon was a small picture of the Barcelona team while they ensured their readers knew that perhaps the result was not entirely merited with the words "Super Iniesta and the referee put Barcelona into the Champions League final". Inside the newspaper it was a similar story as they made sure to highlight the fact that prior to the goal Barca "hadn't even had a single shot on goal all match." However, they did grudgingly admit that "The two best teams in Europe will be in Rome, and that allows them Iniesta's miracle". Sport's inside pages were a complete contrast. "It was one of those magical nights which, as time passes, is told from fathers to sons, from generation to generation," read one of their main articles. "There are not words to describe the immense joy that all Barcelona fans experienced this May 6 at Stamford Bridge. "Few like this Barca deserve to be in this final. And few like Andres Iniesta deserve a goal like this. A star in capital letters, called up, like the rest of his team-mates to make history in an unforgettable season. The league, cup and Champions League treble is still on. "They might win titles or not but, just for what the team has done this season, for its incredible football, they must already be eternally thanked. Thank you, thank you, a thousand thank yous". Other newspapers managed to contain their joy sufficiently to admit that the referee had denied Chelsea three penalties and AS even admitted that the Premier League outfit were the better team on the night. Most also gave special mention to Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes who pulled off some stunning saves to allow that "magical moment". All agreed that "it is hard to imagine a better final" than that on May 27 when Barca meet Manchester United. "Destiny wanted us to see the dream final in Rome," wrote El Mundo Deportivo. "The battle between (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo, with Pep Guardiola's Barca against Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. "A new coach against someone who has won everything. "Let them prepare themselves, the 'Pep' team are coming."

Source: Telegraph