Chelsea and Liverpool played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their
Champions League semifinal on Wednesday, with scoring opportunities
limited amid a tough midfield battle.
Chelsea had the better possession, but Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard
wasted good opportunities to score and Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek
never faced a shot on goal.
The Reds also had the stronger chances, with only a reflex
save by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech stopping Milan Baros'
header in the 38th minute.
On Tuesday, AC Milan beat PSV Eindhoven 2-0 in the first leg of their semifinal off goals
from Andriy Shevchenko and Jon Dahl Tomasson. The second legs are next
week, with the final on May 25 in Istanbul, Turkey.
``I think we go to the final,'' Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said. ``We
have scored goals at Liverpool. I think 99.9 percent of Liverpool fans
think they, at this moment, they have one foot in the final and they
haven't. It's very difficult for them. At this moment I think we are in a
very good position.''
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was also confident.
``I thought we controlled the ball better,'' he said. ``At the end I
thought the draw was a good result. But we need only to win at Anfield.
It's always good to have confidence. With our supporters cheering us all
the time, I have a lot of confidence.''
Liverpool will be without Xabi Alonso for the return match after he was
given a yellow card in the 87th minute for a tackle on Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The Reds have already lost three times to Chelsea this season -- twice
1-0 in the Premier League and a 3-2 League Cup
defeat.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-28 09:56
