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Joe Cole Remembers Chelsea Ripping Barcelona To Pieces

The tricky winger looks back to a great Blues performance from the past ahead of tonight's titanic clash at Stamford Bridge...

06-May-2009 9:21:35 PM

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Joe Cole - England (PA)

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When Joe Cole thinks of past Chelsea against Barcelona tussles, one game in particular comes to his mind: the second leg of the Champions League tie on March 8, 2005.

That night the Blues overturned a first leg 2-1 deficit to go through to the quarter-finals, with strikes from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard, Damien Duff and John Terry outweighing Ronaldinho's two superb strikes. Cole, like many Chelsea supporters, feel that that night was the occasion on which the Londoners really imposed themselves on the continental scene.

"What a game, we had lost the first leg out there even though we had played quite well. Bella [Belletti] scored an own goal which we like to joke about since he joined," the 26-year-old told the club's official website.

"The home game was unbelievable, just awesome and people still remember it as one of the best Chelsea games. Everything about it stands out, and the fans were brilliant too.

"It was such a memorable night, beating Barcelona, Collina was even reffing. It really showed we were one of Europe's big teams, we ripped them to pieces in that first half, I think it was one of my best Chelsea games."

One key factor in that memorable win was the atmosphere generated by the supporters at Stamford Bridge. Cole, out for the rest of the season with ligament damage, is hoping for a similar buzz at tonight's game between the two giants.

"The atmosphere the fans generated that night was just brilliant, I know if things hadn't worked out for me I would have been there, so it was extra special for me to be out there on the pitch," he added.

"Hopefully the boys can do it again on Wednesday night, they are confident and in good form so there is no reason not to. It's a shame for me to miss it but I'll be there supporting them all the way."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

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