Tunnel of love
Tuesday 7th March 2006: Barcelona prepare to face Chelsea in the Champions League.
The Catalan side lead 2-1 from a controversial first leg which saw Chelsea’s Asier Del Horno red-carded for a challenge on Lionel Messi. Del Horno’s Argentinian victim was subsequently accused of “play-acting” by José Mourinho. The consistently quotable Blues manager served up headlines as he expanded on his theory: “How do you say ‘cheating’ in Catalan?”
Such comments go some way to explain the friendly welcome Chelsea received on their arrival in Spain: showered not with gifts, but saliva. This enmity was built on solid foundations of loathing from last year’s contest between the clubs.
Barça fans can’t forget Mourinho’s allegations against their manager, Frank Rijkaard. It was claimed that the Dutchman unfairly influenced the match referee by speaking to him during the half-time interval of the first leg. Chelsea lost that match, but they went on to win the tie at Stamford Bridge a fortnight later.
Ever quick to sniff out the stench of bad blood, UEFA warned players and management that their behaviour would be monitored. They needn’t have worried.
Less than four days after prodding Bryan Robson to the edge of reason, Mourinho set about easing tensions in the Camp Nou tunnel. Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is greeted with diplomatic skill.