Barca's exit not unexpected

PICTURE: AP

They are widely lauded as the best team in the world and one of the finest in history. And rightfully so.

But it’s not unexpected that Champions League holders Barcelona will not be in Munich next month when the final is played.

What’s unexpected is that it’s Chelsea who have denied them that chance because in my column a few weeks ago, I predicted that it would be Real who would stop their Spanish rivals in the final.

Analysing yesterday morning's game here are they four key reasons Barcelona lost - they had 72 per cent possession without penetration, played square passes in round holes, were devoid of width and missed the usually superlative performances of a muted Lionel Messi.

More in The New Paper on Thursday (April 26).