Gary Cahill: watching alongside John Terry was agony

 
25 April 2012

Gary Cahill admitted he and John Terry went through agony watching Chelsea's sensational Champions League semi-final triumph over Barcelona after both were forced to witness most of the game on television.

Cahill was still reeling from the devastation of leaving the field with a hamstring injury last night when he was joined by Terry, who inexplicably got himself sent off in the Blues' astonishing 2-2 second-leg draw at the Nou Camp.

Terry's moment of madness - the Chelsea captain kneeing Alexis Sanchez from behind eight minutes before half-time - looked to have been fatal, with Barca having already levelled the tie before going 2-0 up on the night.

But Cahill and Terry then witnessed the 10 men produce one of the most heroic displays in the history of European football to secure a draw and win 3-2 on aggregate.

Cahill said: "I was devastated that I had no more part to play in the game and, when I looked up and saw JT come through the door, I'll be honest, I probably feared the worst.

"But the lads were absolutely outstanding, the way they stuck together and ground out the result. It was amazing. Phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal.

"I was about four times more nervous than playing, watching the game, just in the changing room praying that it would go all right and, luckily, in the end it did."

Having seen Lionel Messi smash the crossbar with a penalty and also hit the post in the second half, Cahill and Terry's victory jig began when Fernando Torres came off the bench to score the tie's clinching goal.

"Unbelievable, watching it on the screens," Cahill said. "We nearly took the roof off when that went in."

Having initially disputed his sending-off after taking an age to leave the field, Terry eventually held his hands up.

"I've seen the replay and it does look bad," he told Sky Sports 2.

"I'm not that type of player to intentionally hurt anyone. I've raised my knee, which I maybe shouldn't have done in hindsight.

"I'm disappointed but delighted for the lads.

"I've apologised to them and I want to apologise to the fans as well.

"At the time, I was bewildered because I was trying to protect myself a little bit, but looking at it on the replay, I've no complaints.

"I've let the lads down. They've performed brilliantly, so hopefully this doesn't take it away from the players.

"This is what this football club deserves. We deserve to be in the Champions League final."

Terry will miss the final along with Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles, all of whom picked up bookings that earned them suspensions.

Cahill was desperate not to join them on the sidelines, saying of his injury: "I'm hoping it's not as bad as we first thought.

"I just felt a pop in my hamstring.

"But it's high up, which they tell me is probably better than it being right in the middle.

"I just pray the scan's all right."

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