Walking down memory lane, last year’s Champions League encounter between Barca and Chelsea was really painful. Barca were on the verge of qualifying for next round; however, Chelsea’s ‘Captain Fantastic’ John Terry grabbed a vital goal in the dying stages of the fixture to dramatically change the outcome of the two-legged tie. What followed was a year-long period of immense torture, humiliation and ridicule for us, Barca supporters, at the hands of Chelsea fans.

That game might be called the game that transformed Chelsea or changed the way the world looked at it. By defeating Barcelona, Chelsea, albeit unofficially, became the world’s best club. No longer were they the pastime of oil tycoons. They were a genuine force to reckon with at the Premiership and on the European stage. They became more than just another collection of soccer stars (like Real Madrid). Led by talented yet ever controversial Maurinho and financed by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich (with blank cheques), Chelsea became a club that more than just filled in their fair share of newspaper headlines. They proved to be a team that could do business and win.

If ever the term “herd mentality” were applicable, it’s on the emergence of countless new Chelsea fans. They’ve sprung up quicker than ants! People without an inkling of soccer began chanting ‘Chelsea’ and reciting its players’ names. They constantly argued and harassed us, other non-Chelsea fans, (any memories Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool fans?) They know the names of new transfer targets of Chelsea better than the current Nepali ministers. Every Ram, Shyam and Hari is a newly converted Chelsea fan. Some Chelsea zealots even hung a Chelsea banner at school. Please, such fanaticism must have limits!

This time Barca will beat the “Blues.” The 365 days of painful reminders must end. It’s time for retribution. Let’s see what Lampard can conjure up against Brazilian maestro Ronnie. Let’s see how little Messi makes Del Horno dance to his twinkling feet. I’ll show you the off field antics of Jose after his side gets bamboozled by some Spanish flair spiced up with a pinch of South American magic. They say ‘revenge is a dish best served cold.’