Masterclass 2 min read

Steve Holland

Steve Holland
Photography by Paul Cooper
Author
Tony Hodson
Published on
March 31 2022

Champions League semi final first leg, April 18 2012

Chelsea 1Barcelona 0

Drogba (45+2)

Three years after Barcelona beat Chelsea in a controversial Champions League semi final, the two teams reconvened at the same stage in 2011/12. Chelsea had started that season under André Villas-Boas, but he had been replaced by Roberto Di Matteo by the time they reached the latter stages of the competition. Still at the club as assistant manager, however, was Steve Holland.

Speaking exclusively to The Coaches' Voice, Holland – who has since worked alongside Gareth Southgate with England – revisits the first leg of what became an iconic Champions League triumph against a team then coached by Pep Guardiola. He provides insights into the team selection and tactics Chelsea employed to limit the attacking influence of Lionel Messi, while also hoping to get the most of their own front three. Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory that gave them something to defend in a dramatic second leg at the Camp Nou six days later.

Starting line-ups
ChelseaBarcelona
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Chelsea4-3-3
Barcelona4-3-3
1Petr Cech
1Víctor Valdés
2Branislav Ivanovic
2Dani Alves
24Gary Cahill
5Carles Puyol
26John Terry
14Javier Mascherano
3Ashley Cole
21Adriano
12John Obi Mikel
16Sergio Busquets
8Frank Lampard
6Xavi
16Raul Meireles
8Andrés Iniesta
10Juan Mata
4Cesc Fàbregas
7Ramires
9Alexis Sánchez
11Didier Drogba
10Lionel Messi