Great effort and very unlucky not to hang on. Almost a replay of our last match, they played all the football, we did all the defending. We also looked quick and dangerous on the counter. Very ,very worried that yet again our midfield was completely overrun by a better passing, better technical side. Sounding like a broken record, but Ramires and Lampard don't do it. Lamps needs to be forward, which he did well, but Ramires is utterly incapable of running a midfield. He can't pass, and without his energy going forward, for me he brings nothing to our play. Add his crazy recklessness, and I think, he's a hinderance, not an asset. He is a great player in the right position, it's just that we don't seem to have one for him. Still, we ran Bayern very close, and deserve credit for that. Get that control in midfield and we'll be cooking.
Don't agree at all re: Ramires. The last two games have taught us that despite all his faults, Torres is our best striking option (especially in games where we won't dominate possession). For me, Lampard and Mata are luxury players in games where we'll see less than 40% of the ball. Both are better with the ball than without. MVG and De Bruyne's lack of experience meant the Lampard/Ramires combo was always the safe option. Lampard isn't quick, but his vision and eye for a pass are unparalleled. Ramires is easily the fittest player in the Premier League and can cover all the ground Lampard can't. Lampard/Ramires combo isn't perfect. But you couldn't have Lampard in midfield without Ramires, you'd just get overrun.
Drop Oscar back with Lampard, replace Hazard with Mata and your mid is sorted and Torres will get better service. I only see a few of your games on telly so if i am wrong i will accept it.
Don't agree.. Oscar is one of the slowest players we have and dwells a lot on the ball on many occasion..
Well, we got overrun WITH Ramires and Lampard, which is my point. Last year we played our best football ( in my opinion) with Lampard and Mikel as the core of our midfield, which is what my concern is. Ramires is NOT a controlling/defensive midfielder, he's a goer. So is Lamps, but with less power and more finesse. Mikel can sit back, defend and add quite a measure of control. Not wanting to be overly anti Ramires, just don't think he should play where he did. Anyway, games like this help the manager sort out his formation from a load of talented options. To run Bayern so close with a heap of new players is a very encouraging sign.
Oscar was absolutely immense last night. Including his commanding display at old trafford, the lad is coming on leaps and bounds. Still only 21. I would be tempted to bench lampard and play Oscar with Van Ginkel / Mikel in the centre, Hazard, Mata, Schurle / De Bruyne in front and Torres / Eto I agree with District though that Mata is not ideal when you're chasing the ball. Lukaku needs to be loaned - he needs games and is not ready for the biggest of stages yet. Jose is right not to make him our lynchpin. If you saw his interview with Dr Bruyne recently, it is evident he still thinks and behaves like a kid - he needs to mature mentally.
To get the best out of Ramires you need to let him off the leash. Play him with Mikel or even Luiz and he's a much better player as he's able to run forward more. Playing with Lampard, he's the one who has to hang back more which doesn't suit him. I am surprised Lampard has been playing every game so far. I felt for the most part the game passed him by last night but to be fair to him, some of his passing was exquisite. A notable mention to Schurrle as well, he had a good game last night. Not just his cross to Torres but also his defensive work. Bayern's best period in first half came about when Hazard was playing on the left and he couldn't cope with Ribery. He switched back with Schurrle and Ribery was quite quiet after that.
Ramires has been the first name on the team sheet for Ancelotti, AVB, Di Matteo and now Mourinho. They can't all be wrong. Ramires has the kind of qualities both off and on the ball that managers like. His pressing is unrivalled and his counter-attacking abilities plus the fact he can cover so much ground makes him ideal for us. I'd sooner see Lampard dropped than Ramires.
This is so true for me. I see a very good attacking midfielder in Ramires, and his qualities are evident. He has his faults as per challenging for the ball which he does regardless of where he is on the pitch, a fault that can be rectified. He also is a defensive nightmare for both us and our opponents but a nightmare that I would live with. Jose will see this and opt for playing him in a more foreward role. Just one more thing to add, Ivanovich was fantastic the other night, the guy has blue blood in him and fought like no other since JT. If I were in the battle front and I looked sideways Ivanovich is what I would want to see. Happy days are coming Hazard and Oscar will be our Santa Claus come christmas.
He was waving yellow cards like a 5 armed paper hanger, at least in our direction. Where oh where do EUFA get these crappy refs for such big games????? Surely with the Millions they remove from fans pockets, they can afford to set up and maintain an elite referees centre????
Couldn't agree more, but why don't we use him like that ?? No value in trying to get him to play in a defensive/controlling position with Lampard doing the forward runs. For a start he's a hopelessly reckless tackler and can't pass to the bloke next to him.
