What wasnt proper about it? We beat the teams in front of us fair and square with significant disadvantages to overcome in the last 16, SF and final He's not untried and untested, he's a Brazilian International way in front of world class players like Robinho and Ronaldinho in the pecking order and recognised by Pele as one of their great up and coming players. United could afford him as could City and Arsenal so it's not like we're doing any business the competition couldn't afford
He is untried and untested in the premier league (which i assume is why NowsufferinginSpain made that point) or also any form of European football. Also he isn't ahead of world class players like robinho or ronaldinho, ronaldinho is a former world class player at the end of his career and robinho plays in a different position (and I wouldn't class Robinho as world class). That of course isn't any sort of dig at oscar, as he is battling with Ganso, Hernanes, Diego, and Kaka for the play maker spot and is clear favourite.
Think many (myself included) just didn't agree with the tactics and style of play you used to win it. The best club competition in football and it was just 10 men behind the ball with counter tactics. People wanna see the best teams at Europe go at it and show why they're the best from their respected countries, I appreciate when up against Barca, teams need to be defensively astute but Bayern are no Barca and yet I can barely remember a moment Neuer was really tested in the 120 minutes. At the end of the day you won the trophy, nothing will change that but whenever I hear someone mention "European Champions" I still think of Barca (vs Utd 3-1) not that you'd care anyway what I think . I was told by a mate who's had some solid inside info from "his source" that you lot offered Oscar over £100k-a-week to join. I don't agree with anyone being paid that sort of money but a 19 year old with roughly 18 months experience is well over the top if true, regardless of his potential. For the record, this guy's had insside info regarding AVB becomming our new manager (I posted a thread about it weeks/ months ago), Sig joining us, Bale signing a new deal, Diame to West Ham, only wayward bit of info was that Ade supposedly signed 4 weeks ago... Though in fairness it does seem he'll be here before the deadline. So I've not got much of a reason to not believe him but can't prove he's right either on this one.
Nobody has played any other way against Barca. Not even Real Madrid with the worlds most expensively assembled squad. The tactics we used were no different to what any other side has done in the past. We played to our strengths and despite our supposed "negativity" where still the 2nd highest scorerers in the competitionn since its inception in 1992. As for Oscar I've no idea what he's on but I'd be surprised if its 100k, I can't answer that really. Until they introduce a salary cap nothing can be done, that would be far more effective than FFP
I did actually say it's understandable to be defensive against Barca, it was the Bayern game myself and others are more critical of. A CL final, in fact any final should be about teams going all out to win the trophy, it was just disappointing to see a team seem happy to play for penalties. Fair play on the 2nd highest scorers achievement though, didn't know that.
He's completely untried in European football. Maybe Arsenal and Utd could have afforded him. But only Chelsea and City could afford to take the risk of paying that kind of money for the so called " next Pele" the others have far too much respect for that kind of money to take that sort of risk. Put simply, nobody else can afford to take the risk of buying a £25mil lemon!..
We were effectively away from home. No away team in modern day football would have done differently. Soak up the pressure and counter, that's pretty much all away teams do
Disagree. Most teams now days try for the win, regardless of whether it's home or away, it's only if there's a huge gulf in class, such as teams separated by divisions you may see a team playing for a draw/ sneak a 1-0 and even that isn't entirely accurate as most "small" clubs now just go all out and hope for the best as there's no pressure. The "Beautiful Game" gets ruined when teams play with the intent of drawing or sneaking wins... People pay top dollar for tickets/ TV packages these days, the least the players can do is try to entertain so people get their money's worth. Can you imagine what it's like being a Villa/ Stoke/ Wolves/ Blackburn fan? Chelsea didn't need to go on the defensive against Bayern, there was enough quality to win the game in 90 minutes for you guys... Granted you got the win anyway and that'll live in the memory for every Chelsea fan that witnessed it and so it should but wouldn't you have rather won it by outplaying a Bayern team on their own patch in the biggest game of the season in club football?
With the exception of a few I don't know any/many teams that could dominate possession and territorial advantage in away games, Take United yesterday for instance, with all their attacking talent and ball playing midfielders the likes of Gibson and Phil Neville were seeing more of the ball than Scholes or Cleverley. The situation would have been different at OT. Do you honestly believe that with the heartbreak of Moscow our players wanted the game going into penalties? On home turf of the opposition where 80% wanted them to win? We tried to win but you have to respect Bayern were good on the day, much better than they were v Madrid in the semi. If Real Madrid got dominated by Bayern in terms of possession and chances created why would be expected to fair any better with technically inferior players? Bayern would dominate any team at the Allianz, including Barca, their record at that ground is phenomenal
Still makes me think of Barca when I read that, sorry. Fellaini was a man possessed Monday night, he dominated midfield and dominated the Utd defence in aerial battles, one of the best performance I've seen from a player in a while, he won them that match to be fair. Everton have proved though that they can get something at Old Trafford too - last seasons 4-4 showed that they weren't going there to sit back and play for a 0-0/ counter game, was a brilliant game of football and it shows that if teams go about the right way, then getting a result at Old Traffold and anyone else for the matter isn't impossible. I do truly believe that Chelsea played for the pens/ or at the very least a counter 1-0. That's what the performance gave the impression of. The tactics worked though and congratulations, really mean that but personally, just believe a Champions League final should see both teams play some great, entertaining, exciting football. Unfortunately, it was arguably one of the worst games of the season. Bayern dominated Madrid because they set out too and it paid off, just like they set out to dominate you guys and did - but they couldn't get the goals to match their dominance, this is my point, they went all out for the win and not sit back waiting/ hoping for the opportunity to counter.
Barca in their prime couldn't dominate a Bayern side which was far weaker than it is now so what would change?
No team in world football could ever dominate barca or the current spain side, its simply not possible as barca and spain are not just masters at the possession game, they simply can't be over run. Teams can give them a game and for periods have a go but overall just can't happen, their system their methods are so precise and natural that even before a ball is kicked the opposition know they will hardly see the ball. This isn't to say a team like Bayern or Madrid can't give them a proper game and have a go, but as for dominating, simply no chance.
On a slightly new tack - why is there such an apparent home advantage in football? It seems a bit odd that these highly paid superstars get intimidated by opposition support, but most other things are similar home and away.
i've always put it down to familiarity and routine before and during the game. They're used to playing at home and they like it. A bit like how when you sleep in another house/bed its sometimes difficult. You have the same equipment, PJs/bed/room etc etc, but its not the same. The difference between winning and losing at the top of sport is so fine that it must make quite a difference. The crowd will help a bit too. More along the lines of spurring the home players on than intimidating the away players though i reckon Oh, and at certain grounds it also means the ref wears your colours
