Take the Ball, Pass the Ball is the definitive story of the greatest football team ever assembled. For four explosive years, Pep Guardiola's Barça produced the greatest football in history, seducing fans around the world. In this exclusive, first-hand account of events between 2008 and 2012, the players themselves reveal the tension of the bitter Guardiola-Mourinho rivalry, the emotion of Abidal's fight back from cancer to lift the European Cup and how Messi, the best footballer the world's ever seen, was almost rejected by Barça as a 13-year-old.
All the goals - everything scored and conceded, all 149 goals. The essential action - the goal line clearances, the saves. Post match reactions - exclusive interviews with the players and manager. The cup run - behind the scenes at Villa Park and The Millennium Stadium. The controversies - full response to our early European exit and erratic premiership form. The analysis - Graeme Le Saux pinpoints the crucial moments with help from Claudio Ranieri.
As Frank Lampard rounded the Bolton keeper and stroked in Chelsea's second goal, the dream had been achieved and the Blue flag was flying high. "Chelsea Barclays Premier League Champions 2005". For the first time in 50 years Chelsea are the English Champions. This is the official story of their fantastic double winning 2004-2005 season. It was the year that José Mourinho's side became the most feared in this country and on the continent. They defeated all comers, in the most successful campaign in the club's history, breaking numerous records along the way. Most points in a campaign, achieved ironically at Old Trafford and surpassing the record held by the home team, and most wins in a Premier League season, quite an achievement! Relive every Premiership game, from the curtain raiser against Manchester United to lifting the League trophy against Charlton.
