The Blaugrana president was not shy in admitting his side were a tad fortunate to eliminate the Blues, but he also believed it was the right outcome.

Barcelona scraped into the final of the Champions League by the skin of their teeth after an Andres Iniesta stunner three minutes into injury time cancelled out Michael Essien’s opener for Chelsea and allowed the Blaugrana to prevail on the away-goals rule.

The Catalan outfit’s supremo, Joan Laporta, was delighted that his side could make their second final in three years and he believes they deserved to be in the showpiece event in Rome on May 27, even if they needed a little bit of help from lady luck.

“We had a moment of good luck, but it was also justice. It’s clear that football loves the beautiful game. We have played football at the highest level throughout the Champions League and we deserve to be in the final,” he told journalists during the post-match banter.

“We have secured a dream final. Until now, it seemed that only winning mattered but we have demonstrated that football can be based on skill and spectacle, the two things that Barca represent.

“I have to congratulate all the players as they deserve this wholeheartedly, especially since we had to fight 10 against 11. But I also want to honour the fans who have travelled to London because they believed in the team until the very last second.”

Laporta then hailed two particular players in the Blaugrana side: “Iniesta has taken us to Rome with his goal, but also Victor Valdes for his excellent saves.

“Andres is an admirable footballer with extraordinary talents and his goal will be one to remember.”