Since Abramovich took over in 2003 there has been heaps of pressure on us to win the Champions League (mostly from him). A situation that has made managing Chelsea a poisoned Chalice for most managers, and whilst the Mourinho years were unforgettable (1st league title in 50 years, back to back titles) it was also slightly marred by our ill fated Champions League games against Liverpool. I really , really, really, and I cant stress enough....really, want to win the Champions League, and whilst I will be happy as **** to be European Champions, I have to say 50% of my joy will be because of relief, I will breathe a BIG sigh of relief that it is finally over and we can go back to making a team that can win the league again. I seriously wouldnt be too fussed if we never won the CL again, just want it out the way so I can say, "We've done that" and focus on the premier league again, especially after our poor league performances so far this season. Kudos to RDM, he really has turned us around (just as Hiddink did after Scolari's disastrous tenure). And this may be the last chance some of the older players get (Cole, Lamps, Drogs Etc) especially if we lose the final and dont get 4th in the league. COYB!! Lets do the krauts and lift big ears...do it for me just this once....
to be honest the way this season was going i can not even believe chelsea have made it to the final!!
Well...no, me either, but I would love to get the whole Champions league thing out the way, because I think the pressure will be off the manager and players and we can then concentrate on getting back to the top of the league.
To think that we were risking going out at the group stage at one point and dropping into the Europa League or finishing second in the group at best. Then in the last 16 we lost 3-1 away to Napoli and thought it was all over. We bring it back to 2-0 and they score again, but some how we make it 3-1, survive a few good chances for Napoli to kill us off and then had enough to go through in extra time. Then in the quarter-finals we were cruising against 10 man Benfica in the 2nd leg, concede a goal late on and looked very vulnerable. They missed a chance to make it 2-1 and we ended up making it 2-1 and sealing our passage to the semi-finals. Before a ball was even kicked against Barcelona they truly were the super favourites and beating them looked a bridge too far. We incredibly managed to beat them at the Bridge when they dominated the game entirely and missed a host of great chances. But even so to replicate that at the Nou Camp looked almost impossible. We didn't have Luiz, lost Cahill early on, conceded a goal, lost our captain and went down to 10 men and then conceded another to go behind in the tie. At that point the task genuinely seemed impossible. We got a chance, scored a fantastic goal and prepared for 45+ minutes of hell. Barca then get the penalty and miss it. They then go on to once again dominate all aspects of play and miss a host of great chances and in second half stoppage time Nando of all people books our place in the final for sure and we survive until the final whistle. It has been an absolute rollercoaster and we have one final hurdle to jump and sprint to the finish and it may prove to be the hardest yet. But what a ride it has been.
I honestly think the importance of winning CL is overhyped. Sure, its a great competition to win and if it gets a monkey off the players backs all the better but it still doesn't prove anything. If Chelsea win it this year, I don't believe that means we're the best team in Europe. Of course, I still want to win it and it would certainly shut some people up for a bit. Having gone through Valencia, Leverkusen, Napoli, Benfica, Barcelona and (fingers crossed) Bayern Munich, you couldn't say Chelsea had an easy run at it. But in list of priorities, I still rate the Premier League above it every time.
TBH glad you lot made it to the final, but the reason i do NOT want you too win it is simply because I want roman focused on the champions league and not the league. If he focuses on the league and gets the right manager, you can dominate, eg; when jose was there.
Bodanki--I think you're asking questions all true Blues have stored away in their minds--but cant give an answer to! The mysterious RA never reveals a thing--so we shall just have to speculate and gossip!
I'm glad you wrote that all down Yurilly, because you couldn't have made it up !!!!! Reads like boys own !!!!
I've often wondered if he'll walk away if we win the CL. Could be that he feels there is no other challenge left. Hope not though.
I always thought he was obsessed with the Champions League because winning it puts us in the World Club Championship, which introduces our club to millions of other "soccer" fans who may have otherwise not really known much about us, especially in Asia and Africa. Its all about expanding the brand and the fan base I think.
There is always another challenge...like being the first team to retain it!!! Back to the O.P, I'd die a happy football fan to see us win the C.L just once. So yes, it would be an equal shot of joy and relief if we can finally win the damn thing!!
