Could be interesting and race for fourth won't matter! I tell ya what though, this Chelsea CL run and league form is eerily similar to us back in 05. I remember at the time Milan were awesome and just cruising by everyone.
I have to agree with that, Messi avoids diving and continues terrorizing the penalty area when he could easily go down al la Young. Quite often he goes on to score, imagine if most players did that? How many goals would you see? Carroll vs Newcastle is a good example of that. At the same time other players let them down from what I actually see of Barca (not much outside of CL). Pep certainly seems to be more composed, was it last year when Mourinho was trying to poke someone in the eye? That was a "what the ****" moment. [video=youtube;8sjSqmsSAQE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sjSqmsSAQE[/video] He acted like one of those little ****s you get with the scummy family in the hospital waiting room.
Yet we failed to get top 4 as Chelsea are struggling to do now. I know it wasn't all of their fans that disgraced themselves on Sunday but still...I want Chelsea to fail purely so those fans don't have anything to cheer about. At the same time it would be hilarious seeing Spurs miss out if they finish 4th. Hope Newcastle get it tbh.
Yeah i know. The only shining light right now is our 2 point (assuming everyone wins their games in hand) over 4th. Could all change Sat though. Well i've got on a Bayern v Chelsea Final. Had it since the quarters at 30-1. Happy days (maybe - actually prob not)
I know, but they all seem pretty over the moon at the prospect of Europa League football. Whereas it is 'below' Spurs.
In response to this, I say I don't really hate Barcelona I just personally dislike them and I don't dislike any of there players in particular. The reason I dislike them them is probably because of there fan base. They take such offence if you personally bemoan something they like. In addition to this they often bemoan how other sides play and call it "Anti football" when in reality there is no right or wrong way to play the game! In terms of the match yesterday Chelsea worked hard and earned there 1-0 victory. Barcelona missed there chances on the day and therefore did not cut it. Though they played further up the pitch and maintained almost complete possession of the ball they obviously didn't use there possession as well as Chelsea! However this being said, I don't doubt that Barcelona are a fantastic side; I just feel they are massively over-hyped. Yes they are arguably the best side in the world but not by that much at all (in my opinion). So yes! I dislike Barcelona just as a dislike Manchester United. United are our bitter rivals and although as a side I have nothing against any of there players it is the general atmosphere around the club which I do not like. And I think most football fans are like this to be honest... It has nothing to do with being different.
Chelsea Obviously after yesterday, Manchester United didn't loose by much last year (ignore the fact that they hardly got the ball), Manchester City I guess based on there league position at the moment :S; Arsenal also put up a good fight against them. I truly do not think they are that much better. And I guess I will be proven right or wrong depending on Chelsea's result in Spain.
Let's face it, if you take Barca on at their own game you'll get rolled over and get it poked up your backside. If you're into that, ie Arsenal, then fine. We however are not, and if Di Matteo tactically sets the team up to play like that to counter Barcas tactics then fair enough in my mind. Job done. Slim chance next week for us to be fair and expectations are not to high, but we do at least have a chance, and that is more than most.
It's not really a tactic though, really, lets be honest here. It's a case of "well, they're miles better than us, lets put 10 people behind the ball, lob it forward to drogba and hope they miss all their shots".
I found myseld wanting Chelsea to win last night. Just for the English lads involved representing us. And that they did extremely well. Terry and Cole were outstanding, Cahill and Lampard also very good. As for the game, we did do that to Juventus somewhat on our way to 05. I think Barca are still firm favourites. If they score a quick goal I think Chelsea will be beatenby 2 or 3. If Chelsea can score first then its backs to the wall and I think they can do it. Also if Chelsea hold them for 70 odd mins then there will be opportunities to score. Tough call. I don't like Chelsea but they're representing England and Barca need putting in their place. Looking forward to it.
As I asked earlier, has anyone tried? Sometimes I think you can give too much respect to a team you consider superior. I'd like to see a decent side go at them and really try to break up that short passing game. Of course, Barca might take them apart still, but Chelsea's tactics last night only work if you get a bit of luck anyway. Congratulations for the win, still think you're up against it, so good luck for the second leg.
I think Chelsea's game plan was correct. Had they tried to match Barca's attacking threat, they would have lost. They did it against Arsenal and lost 5-3, and Barca > Arsenal. However, it's wrong to think that the game plan was carried out well by Chelsea, because it wasn't. Di Matteo said his plan was to limit Barca's chances, but they failed to do so. It was - and this isn't any kind of bias distorting the facts - poor finishing from Barca and a little bit of good fortune that won Chelsea the game. I could probably pull up countless games that Barca have won comfortably and had less shots than last night. In fact, here's one: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000264/match=2007677/postmatch/index.html Barcelona 7-1 Leverkusen Shots on target: Barcelona 10, Leverkusen 1 Shots off target: Barcelona 5, Leverkusen 1. Possession: Barcelona 70, Leverkusen 30. Compare that to this: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/matches/round=2000266/match=2007689/postmatch/statistics/index.html Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona Shots on target: Chelsea 1, Barcelona 6 Shots off target: Chelsea 3, Barcelona 13 Possession: Chelsea 28, Barcelona 72 Now, if you go purely on the shots and possession stats, you'd guess the results were similar, wouldn't you? Or at least both Barca wins. P.S: What those stats also prove is that Valdes is a ****ing awful GK. 0% saves made.
Don't get me wrong, I understand why teams feel the need to be compact and tight against teams likes Barcelona. Chelsea did what other teams would probably do, and as mentioned by previous posters, playing an aggressive game against Barca is most likely end in defeat. However, saying that it's a great way of playing or it's a great tactic/style is what really annoys me. It's not, it's ugly and the fact that pundits etc are congratulating Chelsea's PERFORMANCE annoys me. The result was brilliant - yes, but the performance was embarrasing (attacking wise only).
Please explain to me how it was embarrasing. Defending is part of the game you know? What are they meant to do if they cant get the ball? Stupid comment
one answer - DROGBA WATCHED THE OTHER NIGHT AS A NEUTRAL BUT HE TOTALLY RUINED THE GAME WITH HIS THEATRICS - WAS PATHETIC
think drogba did his fair share of rolling over and by the look of anguish on his face he was probably being poked severely in the backside - what a moron - the reason i hate chelsea -
True, defending is a part of the game. But so too is attacking, passing, technique, vision, intelligence ... And did you read the bit in bold where I said the attacking element of game was embarassing, and not the defending element. That is assuming you can read? Stupid comment.
Do you think they are going to play Torres in Nou Camp.? I believe Torres is going to play against Arsenal tomorrow and Drogba is going to be rested..! Lady luck is visiting Chelsea.
