I thought it was weird how they played a weakened team for the last game almost as if they assumed they would go through anyway, and then they were knocked out. Isn't that just plain stupid? Completely agree with that. I haven't paid a great deal of attention to Chelsea's selections so this could be bollocks but isn't Di Matteo just playing their best players and winning? I mean, didn't Drogba get left out of so many games by Villas Boas that he was linked with a move to China? Now under Di Matteo he's playing again and still looks really good! It's not that certain. I don't see why if Chelsea beat them at home they can't do well away too. The key thing is that Barca don't have an away goal, if Chelsea could nick one at the Nou Camp (unlikely I know) that'd really make it interesting. I actually think away goals is a stupid rule because it complicates everything and sends defensive teams through, but it seems on this occasion it could work in the English team's favour, so I'm fine with it for now We have a pretty bizarre system of awarding Europa league places though don't we? Top 4 get CL, yeah that makes sense but why don't they just give 5, 6, and 7th place the Europa League spots? Giving it to League Cup Winners just means there's a risk that a 2nd-tier side could be representing your country in Europe
I absolutely expect Chelsea to get beat 2-1 at Camp Nou and progress. I shall be having a small wager.
which striker you referring too, i was discussing frank lampard? while goals are great from midfield obviously, , he always used to get compared with gerrard, and my argument was gerrard is better as they both score goals, but gerrard can do everything else, im not sure i think that anymore.
Chelsea will need some massive luck or the defensive performance of a life-time, think they would settle for penalties so who knows, a lot of the biggest national games seem to go that way so that could be their best chance, until Terry steps up...
Yeah, not sure where I got it from that you were talking about Drogba. Anyway, my argument still stands (less the word striker).
I seem to recall 'experts' saying the same about Inter 2 years ago, especially when they played an hour with 10 men after disgusting cheating once again by everyone's favourite club.
and also if memory serves, inter won the 1st leg 3-1 and had a real go, and fully deserved there win on the night.. chelsea had a plan, and fair enough it worked in a fashion, but it was mainly due to 3 woeful misses that aaron mclean would normally have knocked in, it wasnt like they completely nulled barcelonas attack.. chances are them chances will be doubled in the second leg, and i would think they are unlikely to be missed twice.
It was more weird them playing it at the start of the group stage, in the past I'm sure they've always played their strongest team until they qualified from the group, and then played the reserves. This season is was like they forgot about the needing to qualify part of it.
Enlighten me. I really dont recall an Inter playing throwing themselves on the floor when they get a finger nail in the cheek and then winking at the camera as the opposition player was sent off.
In fairness a lot of *experts* predicted Chelsea wouldn't get this far. Then they predicted they'd get humped at the Bridge. Sure, I guess they may be right at some point, and Chelsea will lose, but it doesn't make them experts.
As I said earlier, I think Chelsea will qualify. The way Barca play I would always fancy my chances of scoring at Camp Nou - see Milan getting 3 there this season in the CL - and a 2-1 defeat is a very achievable scoreline.
If someone else had nicked that username I'd be raging! And yes I did cos I had the misfortune of meeting him every week.
What was wrong with him ? He wasn't a bad league 1 / 2 player. Scored some good goals. Never championship quality though !
What he said - the epitome of the odious toad immature young footballer who thinks its all 'me, me, me' rather than the team. I was on the open top bus that toured the city after the first promotion and it was pretty clear what the rest of the team also thought about him. I also saw him celebrate a goal by the opposition once when he was dropped and not even on the bench. Summed him up perfectly.
