“It would be fate,” Gianfranco Zola reckoned. “They lost on penalties in Moscow.” In the midst of this sudden outbreak of theism, it was hardly surprising that Clive Tyldesley — a man who still gushes about “that night in Barcelona” as if describing the loss of his virginity to a seedy Catalan hotel maid — wanted to join in. “Talking of fate,” he said with relish. “Remember that semi-final in 2007? Who was one of Pepe Reina’s victims that night? Arjen Robben.” Afterwards, Gabriel Clarke took the opportunity to proselytise to Chelsea’s celebrating players. “Was it meant to be?” he asked Gary Cahill. “Yeah, I think so,” a bemused Cahill replied. It was striking how those paid to discuss the game were prepared to lapse ... Continue reading →

Every triumphant team have someone who can deliver the unexpected, can bend the story to his will. The sixth best side in England are now the No 1 in Europe. To understand that you would need to start with the extraordinary surge in solidarity that followed the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas and then move on to the phenomenon that is Drogba. Frank Lampard told us: “ I’ve never been so emotional in a game. And I never had any doubt about Didier scoring. He’s the man for the big occasion. We felt it was going to happen. Players were crying, tears in their eyes. Football can do that to people. Didi gave a speech in the dressing room afterwards. I think he’s going to be ... Continue reading →