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Barcelona exact revenge on Mourinho's Chelsea
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-08 08:55 "I have nothing specifically against Chelsea or their coach. I have great
respect for what he is doing and I think he does a great job."
Last year Barca lost 5-4 on aggregate to Chelsea at the same stage after two
high-tension games marked by acrimony and controversy.
This time Barca eased their way into the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw at
the Nou Camp gave them a 3-2 aggregate victory.
The Primera Liga side gave a masterful performance of possession football
against the Londoners, but needed a magical goal by Ronaldinho 12 minutes from
time.
Chelsea equalised through an injury-time penalty from Frank Lampard, but it
came too late to endanger a deserved Barcelona victory.
"I think the team worked very well and worked very seriously," said Rijkaard.
"We gave our rivals very few chances.
"The Ronaldinho goal was spectacular, not just because of the way he created
it but also for the speed he showed.
"They defended very well and were very tough, but he manufactured the chance
and did something very special, but then he's a special player."
Rijkaard said that victory over Chelsea was just the start of the hard work
for his side.
GREAT SIDE
"I'm very happy we've gone through against a great side. But we have to keep
on working. It was very hard to eliminate Chelsea but we have to prepare
ourselves for the next game because the level in the Champions League is so
high."
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said the key to the tie had been his side's first
leg defeat at Stamford Bridge.
"We were playing with 10 men for most of the first leg and so we didn't see
two games of 11 against 11," he said. "But having said that Barca are a great
team and we wish them the best of luck.
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