Read again, he said NO creativity. We were the better team with more possession and more chances created in the first half, coincidentally when we started with 6 defenders.
The difference was in the second half. I thought Atletico came out in the 2nd half and took the initiative. Chelsea came out after half time and just couldn't get into the game.
Was a bit surprised at the game plan, or lack of one. Maybe a bit of an over reliance on team spirit and set pieces?
I also think Jose got it wrong tonight. 6 defenders at home in a match you have to win just makes no sense to me. We were Ok ish 1st half though Atletico looked the better football team. 2nd half I think some tiredness crept in. JT didn't look fully fit and played like it. He lashed at and missed for 2 goals. In fact Atletico just passed or waltzed through our central defence all 2nd half. I said it before and I will repeat it, our CDs are too slow, too ponderous and can't play the ball out against quick skill. Time and again Cahill kicked into touch when 1 on 1. No attacks start from the back anymore. Rambo give us absolutely nothing except energy and Willian is looking increasingly devoid of ideas, though his skill to set up Torres shows what he can do when he's in the right place. Still we did well to get this far with no midfield control and no strikers. Matic makes a huge difference. Poor old Luiz was reduced to hoofing it hopefully forward,after 60 mins of playing in a very unbalanced team. We really do need to address a young quick skilful CD as a rotation player for JT and Cahill. A sad end to our campaign, but frankly we are just not good enough yet. We keep on saying we are only 2 or 3 players away, but it looks more like 4 or 5 to me. Our fight, tenacity and will to win just couldn't do the job this time, better to come I think. Madrid must be a happy City tonight, goos luck to both of them , especially Atletico.
You should have played for an away goal and then sat back in this game imo. You know for a guy who gets a lot of praise, he's spent £141 million in 2 seasons and won nothing. 5 semi finals for a guy who supposedly gets it right in all the big games. (Yes I know he and Chelsea are better). There is definitely scope to critique Mourinho though. Chelsea managers have been fired having won more.
I completely disagree with that, there wasn't a lot in it before you scored in terms of chances, though they looked better on the ball than you guys. I don't really think there can be any complaints, fair play for getting to the semi finals, but you where outplayed in both legs, and Atletico deserved to go through
This. Athletico better team and deserved it. When you give away a soft goal and a soft pen you deserve to go out. No excuse
Madrid were the better team. But we did very well. Keeping England's flag flying high in Europe. This year was never meant to be and was never likely to be an instant success.
Tough to lose. but easier when you are outplayed fair and square. No ref issues, everyone gave their all, can"t ask more of the players who did us proud to get this far.
Making this post on the blind. Just back from Punchestown (our equivelent of your Cheltenham). Got my mate to text me any goals. When he texted me 1-0 i thought happy days. Things went tits up after that...something like my day at the races ! Oh well i will have to reserve a more considered opinion until i see the tape of the match. I will have to console myself with the comment of the father of Sonia o' Sullivan when she finished outside the medals after big expectations, no one died !!!
Disagree. Terry's distribution out of the back has been better than ever this season. He looked unfit though. Our defence was not up against particularly quick skillful players such as Liverpool, PSG or City. Costa and Athletico are based more around power. The game-changing goal was a result of the pressure put in our defence by Luiz missing his crucial tackle in central midfield, an unfit Hazard not tracking Juanfran and Ashley Cole poor positioning. I'd love four or five players... three first teamers, a regista, and two strikers and two squadder, another Matic type etc. But two or three may be enough. We'll have Matic and Salah in CL next season We've bought a quick young CB in Zouma and can rotate Kalas Very optimistic about next season. Jose is getting close to having the team he wants. Also I think we missed Lamps experience after we went 1-0 up. In think he may have calmed things down between minutes 35 and 70
