Great result for Chelsea. No anti football either. Just a tactical solution to a problem that has perplexed every team in Europe over the last few years! I think they'll lose 3-0 or 4-1 in the Nou Camp to be honest but they deserve credit for the game last night. You'd have to be a complete simpleton to suggest Chelsea should have stood toe to toe with Barca. No team in Europe does that and comes out on top. Its called accepting someone is better than you. Real Madrid and Bayern look the next best, they'll adopt a similar approach. Real certainly have when they've met them the majority of times previously. Barca can be quite boring at times but they are a great side. But there is no plan B. Plan A works so often you could suggest they don't need one. Their supporters will say differently if they're dumped out!
It would be nice for a chance to see someone get ****ing stuck into Barcelona, imagine Roy ****ing Keane just standing off watching them make pretty triangles. ****ING TACKLE THE ****S.
Remember the last world cup final, Holland who we would normally associate with pretty football got stuck into Spain and some, almost paid off.
Warm Pouch - as you rightly say Barcelona do not usually need a Plan B. - but you say Barcelona can be boring ! Last night they were very wasteful - should have scored 4 or 5 - and if they had taken those chances ( which they have well over a 100 times already this season ) the TV commentators would have drooled over their performance. As for boring - Chelsea were content on defending. (tactical solution you called it )- They only got away this tactic because of Barcelona having a mare in front of goal - and then getting a lucky ( if well taken ) goal. - Chelsea were as boring as it gets - they will need to be doubly boring and hope for a lot more luck to stand any hope that they will get through the tie.
What will be really interesting is if Chelsea nick an early away goal. Then it really will be game on.
No doubt a good slice of luck involved. I wasn't bored with Barca last night but on occasions when they are playing run of the mill spanish sides it can get very one paced fancy stuff. As I say they're an all time great side, the results speak for themselves. I still think the odd bit of change of approach when things have not worked or luck not gone your way is just intelligent tactical play. I appreciate the defensive side of football is all. Its the same when all time greats are mentioned. The likes of Baresi never get a mention. The catenaccio tactic developed in Italy was a genius and successful defensive tactic. Mourinho has employed similar tactics when required with various teams. Chelsea weren't quite at those levels but still deserve credit for their application of a specific instruction from the coaching team. They clearly asked them to accept the possession and close space in the last third while keeping a certain shape. They all had a go. The fact that Barca were still too good with their movement to create and miss chances doesn't distract from a good team effort.
Am chuffed that Chelsea won, against the odds n all that..... but why the hell did JT deem it neccessary to knee Sanchez up the arse, when the ball was nowhere near ? He also initially made out it was innocent, like he just ran into him. This is my problem with Chelsea (and other English teams)...... Back in the day we all supported the English/Scottish lads in Europe.I still do to a certain extent.But it becomes increasingly hard when "our" teams resort to cheating, whether it be diving, blatent fouling etc.
Brilliant for Chelsea. Over the moon. All my mates wanting them beat but I am sick of the Barca fake love in for ages.
I have followed his career from his first game and have admired him as a player ever since...but...What a prick Terry was, at least he had the scraps of dignity to admit he was wrong, he's ****ed it for himself, and can't point the finger at anyone else. I am surprised but fair play
In a house of eight Irish drinkers I was alone in wanting the English Rangers to win. Sick of the fawning over Barca/Messi. Couldn't wash Maradonnas boots. Come back when you can even compete at a world cup numbnuts
It's a rare triumph for anti-football that conceded 2 goals and saw a thug sent off but can lightning strike twice?
Play the game son, play the game. What do you expect? Barca have to be beaten, one way or another. Football isn't all about lovely passing.
