Valdes sympathises with Lehmann after contrasting fortunes

THE pre-match talk may have centred around Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry but the Champions League final was ultimately a tale of two goalkeepers.

Arsenal’s Jens Lehmann was sent off after just 18 minutes for hauling down Samuel Eto’o while, at the other end, Barcelona’s Victor Valdes performed heroics as the Catalan giants added the European crown to their Primera Liga title.

Valdes was helpless to prevent Sol Campbell from heading Arsenal ahead in the first half but made several fine saves, most notably from Thierry Henry, to pave the way for late goals from Eto’o and Juliano Belletti to hand Barca the trophy.