We wouldn't have lost that night against Chelsea in the semi if Fabio didn't go off injured. We were comfortably in control and Fabio was at his magnificent best. He was such an overwhelming presence, Chelsea's mid 3, particularly Ballack couldn't get a handle on the game. Soon as Fabio went off, Ballack ran us ragged- after being manhandled and being completely out of his depth the whole night.
Fabio was such an influential player when he was fit. Along with Alonso in 2008-2009, he was the key to our run. Agger was less influential than him, no matter how much I appreciate Agger. Fabio was the key- especially since he's such an incredibly talented and tactically brilliant player. Agger seems to function at his best when he's got a ball playing fullback next to him- as we've again seen with Enrique next to him.