UEFA Champions League/Europa League 24/25/26 April *** Spoilers ***
- Thread starter Cosimo
- Start date
Especially with the even more depleted line-up Chelsea will have.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 37,804
- Location
- block 16, cell 12
Okay chelsea did just about enough - but were under the cosh for both legs, having sub 30% possession on both occasions. (it was actually 82% barca last nigth). 10 corners to 1, 23 chances to 7...
Yes they scored more goals and had fewer chances, but thats how counter attacking works...you hope to hold out alamo style.
However you want to dress it up, an off form, misfiring barca clobbered chelsea, they just couldnt force the ball into the net despite all of their chances, that was the issue.
Chelsea defended well. Better team on the night.
Chelsea defended well. Better team on the night.
Actually I wont say on the night, as it was a draw.
Over the two legs.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 37,804
- Location
- block 16, cell 12
But you must see that Fabregas missing sitters and Sanchez missing easy chances does not equal chelsea defending well. It was purely down to some barca players being off the boil.
Chelsea were far and way the worst team over the course of both legs. They were lucky that Barca missed most of their chances.
Chelsea were far and way the worst team over the course of both legs. They were lucky that Barca missed most of their chances.
Chelsea looked so much more dangerous when they had the ball than Barcelona it's a farce.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 37,804
- Location
- block 16, cell 12
in the first leg or the second?
and for how long?
if you have 18% possession, it means you had the ball for less than 18 minutes of the match roughly, if you put the ball long enough, you will look more dangerous on a per minute basis compared to a team that plays its way to create chances. Thats the subtle difference between direct football and steady approach play.
and for how long?
if you have 18% possession, it means you had the ball for less than 18 minutes of the match roughly, if you put the ball long enough, you will look more dangerous on a per minute basis compared to a team that plays its way to create chances. Thats the subtle difference between direct football and steady approach play.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2005
- Posts
- 13,054
I normally dont like Chelsea but I have to say that them getting past Barcelona last night was one of the best performances I've seen from a team desperate and determined to get through.
For all the football purists that will complain and not accept the fact that Barcelona were knocked out then they are just stupid.
Chelsea's defensive and dogged performance outclassed Barcelonas dominance regardless of what people say.
Yes they had luck when Messi hit the post, but you definitely dont win competitions without luck and the fact Chelsea stopped the worlds best player from being instrumental is again all thanks to Chelseas hard work.
On another point I'd be a bit annoyed if We (newcastle) finish 4th and chelsea end up winning the champions league, but If they do then fair play... My money has always been on Real Madrid this year and if they come up against Chelsea I still think mourinho will get another trophy with another club.
Chelsea definitely deserve all the credit though, im not surprised a barcelona player has already had a small dig, they are definitely the worse losers
For all the football purists that will complain and not accept the fact that Barcelona were knocked out then they are just stupid.
Chelsea's defensive and dogged performance outclassed Barcelonas dominance regardless of what people say.
Yes they had luck when Messi hit the post, but you definitely dont win competitions without luck and the fact Chelsea stopped the worlds best player from being instrumental is again all thanks to Chelseas hard work.
On another point I'd be a bit annoyed if We (newcastle) finish 4th and chelsea end up winning the champions league, but If they do then fair play... My money has always been on Real Madrid this year and if they come up against Chelsea I still think mourinho will get another trophy with another club.
Chelsea definitely deserve all the credit though, im not surprised a barcelona player has already had a small dig, they are definitely the worse losers
Barcelona looked flat and out of idea's, I don't think that was all down to Chelsea. Messi was anonymous too.
I never thought I'd say this but I agree with NickG's sentiment of it being a hollow victory for Chelsea. I think the gulf in quality can not be stressed enough.
Still, nice of Chelsea to buy themselves some history
I wouldn't fancy Chelsea in the final against either Bayern or Real, especially with so many players out.
I never thought I'd say this but I agree with NickG's sentiment of it being a hollow victory for Chelsea. I think the gulf in quality can not be stressed enough.
Still, nice of Chelsea to buy themselves some history
I wouldn't fancy Chelsea in the final against either Bayern or Real, especially with so many players out.
Really agree with this. Newcastle have really come out of nowhere this year, played amazingly, and totally deserve that CL spot should they get 4th (or even 3rd)
I personally wouldn't mind it happening to Tottenham or Arsenal.
Are you seriously calling Barcelona players 'worse losers' then Chelsea after the massive butt hurt over when they were knocked out in '09?
Seriously, people only remember the very present.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2005
- Posts
- 13,054
Im pretty sure there were a few dodgy decisions in that game..
Ha, it was still up there with the most epic butt hurt of all time in European football.
Chelsea and their billion penalty claims.
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Jun 2010
- Posts
- 12,538
- Location
- London
Lulz, Chelsea played to their strengths. We've lost countless games to United because they stop playing as they do most weeks, sit back and allow us to have the possession and passing, then destroy us with a quick counter. You do what you need to do to win with the tools you have. Chelsea have successfully contained/countered against Barca before, it works, so why change it? All done within the rules of the game (bar Terry's knee).
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 77,688
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
Make no bones about it. Barcelona is the better team. They are one of if not THE best team in the world by a long way. However, how do you beat a team like that?
You do it like Chelsea did, with your brains.
Mourinho did it with Inter Milan, even with his Serie A title winning team at Inter he knew he cannot go fist to fist aganist Barcelona. There are very few teams can out play Barcelona (if that is what people mean when you want to beat Barcelona by more than the score line), Arsenal tried it at home and although they won, Barcelona still had most of the possesion.
It is like a boxing match, you play to your strength and weaknesses. Barcelona has 1 tactic, and that tactic involves keeping the ball more than you. It is almost a given that they will have most of the possession, and when you don't have the ball, you Defend.
It is not a hollow victory at all, it was a masterclass in tactics. Arsene Wenger tried it a few times in the last few years with his own flowing football but unless he has better players, he is not going to beat a team like Barcelona that way.
You do it like Chelsea did, with your brains.
Mourinho did it with Inter Milan, even with his Serie A title winning team at Inter he knew he cannot go fist to fist aganist Barcelona. There are very few teams can out play Barcelona (if that is what people mean when you want to beat Barcelona by more than the score line), Arsenal tried it at home and although they won, Barcelona still had most of the possesion.
It is like a boxing match, you play to your strength and weaknesses. Barcelona has 1 tactic, and that tactic involves keeping the ball more than you. It is almost a given that they will have most of the possession, and when you don't have the ball, you Defend.
It is not a hollow victory at all, it was a masterclass in tactics. Arsene Wenger tried it a few times in the last few years with his own flowing football but unless he has better players, he is not going to beat a team like Barcelona that way.
