One more. I know all the arguments about resting players against us, But OMG it'd be good to see them go out at home to 10-man Benfica.
I saw your thread just after I'd posted mine. Bugger. At least there's a mauling against Barca to look forward to.
Kiss of death Telford. I hope they do well in both cup competitions if it increases our chances of staying up.
Get the point Nines, but I would prefer humiliating losses and in house recriminations for both semis, they will be insufferable if they win something.
I'm delighted they've won, purely for the reason of the prem, and therefore our game v them being less important. It's all about US
I agree woody. All Chelsea hating is on hold till they've played their third team against us in anticipation of more important games to come.
Scenario 1. Chelsea get beat by Barca in the semi-final. The FA Cup is an irrelevance to a "big" club like Abramovich. The prize isn't the FA Cup but Europa qualification. It's not what the oligarch wants. He demands the Champions League. If he loses to Barca his only hope of Champions League next season is catching up with Spurs or Arsenal. In this case he won't be "resting" anybody against us FA Cup or not. Our game is after the CL semi-final. Does any body think Chelsea will beat Barca? Scenario 2. Chelsea beat Barca. For Abramovich again the prize is Champions League football. So do you, as a completely hands-off chairman suggest that the FA Cup with all it's glory of Europa qualification might possibly be put on the back-burner while full concentration is given to the Prem just in case Real or Bayern beat Chelsea in the final? Mmmmm. Not to mention that in this scenario we are playing a team who've just beaten Barcelona and will have a squad full of players eager to impress for an appearance in a Champions League final. The best result for us tonight would have been a (well-deserved) Benfica victory, with all the schisms and doubts it would have brought to the surface.
