© EuroFootball.com
Football fans from England and all over the world will have the opportunity to enjoy top-level football once again in the UEFA Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, when two powerful teams with not the best relationship between them - London's "Chelsea" and "Liverpool" - will clash.
London, Stamford Bridge Stadium. Referee - Markus Merk (Germany) London - "" (Kick-off - 21:45 Lithuanian time)
TV: Viasat Sport 2 (live broadcasting)
History
"Blues" coach Jose Mourinho still carries painful memories from the 2005 clash with "Liverpool." At that time, in the Champions League semifinals, the two sides met for the first time - the match in London ended in a 0-0 draw, but in Liverpool, in the unforgettable atmosphere at the "Anfield" stadium, an early controversial goal by Luis Garcia paved the way to the final for the hosts. The Portuguese specialist still does not hesitate to remind the media of his opinion that the ball did not cross the goal line and "Chelsea" was unjustly punished.
"It's in the past," does not attach much importance to colleagues' words "Liverpool" head coach Rafael Benitez. - If "Chelsea" argues that there was no goal, then we can say that the referee should have awarded a penalty kick in that episode and shown the goalkeeper a red card because he brought down Milan Baros.
"However, now it is important not what happened two years ago. In the upcoming two matches, both clubs will create a new chapter in history."
Overall, in European cup tournaments, "Chelsea" and "Liverpool" have faced each other only four times, including the memorable semifinal clashes mentioned earlier. In the following season, the teams fought in the same group in the first stage, and both matches ended in a 0-0 draw.
Undoubtedly, the London club, which has strengthened significantly in recent years, is hungry for trophies on the international stage, as it has only won two more prestigious victories there - the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 and 1998. In comparison, "Liverpool" has celebrated the names of Champions League winners five times (in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 2005), and has also raised the UEFA Cup three times.
Altogether, these clubs have played 145 matches against each other. "Liverpool" won 66 times, "Chelsea" won 50 times, and the teams parted ways 29 times.
This will be the third meeting of the teams this season. So far, "Liverpool" has won two matches ("Community Shield" cup final 2-1 and "Premier" League at home 2-0), while "Chelsea" celebrated success in one match ("Premier" League at home 1-0).
Also, the London club has not lost in the last five Champions League matches at home and overall in the tournament, while "Liverpool" has celebrated two consecutive victories in opponents' arenas.
