396 replies to this topic

[bosox4283]

Who didn't make a mistake for Real on that last goal? Coentrao attempted a foolish tackle, and then there were four defenders who missed the ball and the Bayern players. Yes, it was a great pass, but Real didn't do nearly enough to stop that last goal.

[Apisith]

They were all left on their heels because of the quality of Lahm's cross, though, and that was only possible because Coentrao was off his rocker in going for the tackle. It's actually ironic that it was him who made the mistake because Mourinho drops Marcelo for some big matches precisely because Marcelo is reckless in tackling and usually wanders out of position. Although, to be fair to Jose, Marcelo is a fucking knucklehead who should be have been sent off

[Apisith]

Coentrao also got burned by Robben so many times. This Real team are brilliant - no doubt about it - but Bayern match up very well with them. It's going to be a great 2nd leg.

[Snakebauer007]

To be fair to Mourinho I wouldnt want Marcelo out there against Robben either

[Apisith]

Best of luck tonight, Snake. I hope it's the same end-to-end stuff that we got in the second leg in 09.

[sachmoney]

Posting this in hopes that soxfan121's head literally explodes: How can Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League? (you guys can read the explanations yourselves, but I'll just post the five things)

• The five second rule: when to press and when to drop off
• Focus, concentrate, communicate - never lose sight of Messi
• Be strong, be direct
• Stop Busquets
• Start with a bang and target set-pieces

Obviously, these are all better said than done.

[Zomp]

Maybe the referee will repay Chelsea for 08?

[Apisith]

Posting this in hopes that soxfan121's head literally explodes: How can Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League? (you guys can read the explanations yourselves, but I'll just post the five things)

• The five second rule: when to press and when to drop off
• Focus, concentrate, communicate - never lose sight of Messi
• Be strong, be direct
• Stop Busquets
• Start with a bang and target set-pieces

Obviously, these are all better said than done.

Well, they're better done than said but certainly easier said than done.

Arsenal are really the only team to have beaten Barca with a game plan that can be repeated. Inter had that one miraculous game where many things went their way, Real have tried a variety of tactics with the best of players and failed for four seasons and no one else has come close. You keep the ball as well as you can, pass and move, pass and move but most importantly switch the ball from side to side as quick as possible because Barca's pressing game only succeeds because they hunt as a pack ie. they shift left and right as a team and hunt for the ball. If you can shift the ball from one side to the other quickly enough, you will find the gap that is there. Arsenal did this at home last year and they deservedly won.

Edited by Apisith, 18 April 2012 - 09:34 AM.

[Snakebauer007]

Maybe the referee will repay Chelsea for 08?

I'll take it!

[Zososoxfan]

Buddy of mine and me were arguing over Barca's starting lineup. I'm guessing:

Alves-Masch-Mr. Shakira-Caveman
Sergio-Xavi-San Andres
Messi-Sanchez-Vote for Pedro!

He made the case that Pep hasn't played Pedro as much this season and he expects Cesc to play over him and then push Iniesta to the wing.

God, I'm excited for this game.

edit: Also, great reading from Zonal Marking as usual: http://www.zonalmark...erto-di-matteo/

How Chelsea will cope with Lionel Messi this week Messi remains to be seen, and it’s difficult to work out whether it’s better to play with two holders or one holder against him. The only time Messi looks relatively infffective is when he has to come deeper than both men in a double pivot to pick up the ball – as was the case for Argentina in the Copa America, and for Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey defeat to Real Madrid last season.
That is probably what Chelsea will be hoping for, which means Di Matteo will ask his double pivot to play very deep, probably allowing Barcelona’s midfielders a lot of time on the ball.

Edited by Zososoxfan, 18 April 2012 - 11:27 AM.

[TapeAndPosts]

Pedro has been more in form lately and has gotten more playing time; the team has been trying extra hard to get width up front and Pedro can do that for you. Pep could also go for three in the back, which would allow Cesc to coexist with Pedro. Against Getafe he had Pedro and Cuenca on the wing, Messi and Alexis in the forward middle, Inesita and Xavi behind them, Busquets alternating between defensive mid and dropping back when necessary, and then three in the back, with Mascherano so far back that it was basically a 1-2-3-4 or 1-3-2-4 (depending on where you classify Busquets). You could also easily have Messi/Cesc in the middle instead of Messi/Alexis. Or something completely different....

[Snakebauer007]

Pedro has been more in form lately and has gotten more playing time; the team has been trying extra hard to get width up front and Pedro can do that for you. Pep could also go for three in the back, which would allow Cesc to coexist with Pedro. Against Getafe he had Pedro and Cuenca on the wing, Messi and Alexis in the forward middle, Inesita and Xavi behind them, Busquets alternating between defensive mid and dropping back when necessary, and then three in the back, with Mascherano so far back that it was basically a 1-2-3-4 or 1-3-2-4 (depending on where you classify Busquets). You could also easily have Messi/Cesc in the middle instead of Messi/Alexis. Or something completely different....

I watched a video of this lineup and they called it the Barcelona pyramid(the opposite of the traditional 4321 pyramid), quite engrossing, of course it was taken down

[TapeAndPosts]

I watched a video of this lineup and they called it the Barcelona pyramid(the opposite of the traditional 4321 pyramid), quite engrossing, of course it was taken down

Too bad that video is gone, I saw it too, it was quality. There's a nice article with diagrams but no video here.

Official lineup now out, though how they actually stand on the field remains to be seen, but it looks like they're not doing the winger thing:

Valdes
Alves Masche Puyol Adriano
Xavi Busquets Iniesta
Alexis Messi Cesc

Fun fact: Chelsea is the only team Barça have played but never beaten under Guardiola.

[TapeAndPosts]

Chelsea lineup now out. Drogba starts, Torres sits:

Cech, Ivanović, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Meireles, Ramires, Mata, Drogba.

[Snakebauer007]

As narrow as you like it.

[Snakebauer007]

Too bad that video is gone, I saw it too, it was quality. There's a nice article with diagrams but no video here.

Official lineup now out, though how they actually stand on the field remains to be seen, but it looks like they're not doing the winger thing:

Valdes
Alves Masche Puyol Adriano
Xavi Busquets Iniesta
Alexis Messi Cesc

Fun fact: Chelsea is the only team Barça have played but never beaten under Guardiola.

nice reverse jinx

[soxfan121]

Chelsea lineup now out. Drogba starts, Torres sits:

Cech, Ivanović, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Meireles, Ramires, Mata, Drogba.

Cahill & Meireles should save us all the time and just shoot themselves now. Snakebauer will have the bad result pinned to their jerseys, whether it's justified (i.e. based in reality) or not.

[sachmoney]

EDIT: Ugh, with the last read function turned off (it seems), I missed those other posts.

I think it's the right call to have Cesc starting because he has the most experience facing Chelsea.

Edited by sachmoney, 18 April 2012 - 01:01 PM.

[Zomp]

WHAT FUCKING CHANNEL IS THIS THING ON

[Zomp]

Found it. FX. Whew.

[soxfan121]

Buster Bluth is the color guy?

ETA: Good lord, I despise Busquets. Diving, flopping shitheel.
ETA2: Sanchez off the bar in the 9th minute.
ETA3: Terry with a clothesline on Sanchez in the 12th minute.

Edited by soxfan121, 18 April 2012 - 01:57 PM.

[sachmoney]

I'll be surprised if this game goes into half scoreless. Both back fours look vulnerable. Furthermore, Barca shouldn't try to play set pieces because they have absolutely no height besides Busquets. Just pass it. It's what they do best.

[soxfan121]

Cesc misses a sitter in the 17th. Wow. Totally blown opportunity.

ETA: Cahill shoves Iniesta to the ground after getting beaten - in the box - no call. 24th.
ETA2: Messi with a header; no great oppty but Cech impacts the post making the save. Tough bastard.
ETA3: Torres warming. Drogba's early ankle ouchy more than an ouchy?!
ETA4: The Puyol-Drogba battle is absolutely fascinating. Drogba ends up on the pitch a lot.
ETA5: Drogba Injury Time in the First Half: 5 Mins. Everyone else? less than 1 min.
ETA6: Cole with a save - wonderful effort. Mikel's lack of speed/skill creates a chance and nearly a goal for Barca.

Edited by soxfan121, 18 April 2012 - 02:29 PM.

[soxfan121]

Messi with a mistake, Chelsea with a break, Drogba with a wonderful finish. Great play by Ramires.

[Apisith]

Nice.

[sachmoney]

1-0 Chelsea at half.

Most of this half has been about complacency IMO. When both teams have gone forward, they've looked dangerous, but there really haven't been that many chances created. With Chelsea, it comes down to staying onsides. With Barca, it just seems like they're not moving enough. They seem complacent to pass the ball in the middle of the park and dominate possession. Chelsea is comfortable defending because Barca can't hurt them in the middle of the pitch. Barca looked most dangerous when Cesc and Messi were getting balls through the midfield. Meireles, in particular, seems to be doing a great job of getting into passing lanes. I actually think Chelsea is defending very well. I'm hoping that the goal will force Barca to take more risks, but I'm not sure they will, especially if Messi has to come out.

Very interested to see what changes the managers make at the half.

Edited by sachmoney, 18 April 2012 - 02:44 PM.

[TapeAndPosts]

I actually think the Barça attack has been fine; Cesc should have scored at least once, and probably twice. Cole's clearance was only possible because Cesc hit the ball too gently.

Messi falling asleep to set up the goal was straight out of bizarro world. Ramires did a very nice job on the break. Surprised Drogba was able to get up off the pitch long enough to score the goal.

Iniesta absolutely schooling Cahill with his footwork before being shoved to the ground was high comedy.

[soxfan121]

but there really haven't been that many chances created.

Really? Because half-an-inch lower (on the Sanchez lob) or half-a-step slower (on the Cole clearance off the line) and it's 2-0; doesn't even take into account the rather obvious missed penalty call on Cahill (two hands on the 8 on the back of Iniesta's uniform, shoving him to the ground) and the Messi run into the box that the broadcast replayed and the color guy said basically - "if Messi isn't an honorable player, he falls over and that's a penalty".

Chelsea deserves to lead because if it doesn't go in, it doesn't count and Chelsea put one in the net...but Barca has created chances and could easily be up 3 or 4 with a bit more luck, less loft from Sanchez and less speed from Cole.

FWIW, Drogba had a BIG BOY half. Goddamn I love that guy. Even if he does go down more than Linda Lovelace.

[soxfan121]

Does anyone watch Xavi and wonder what it would be like if he were paired up with Andrea Pirlo in an All-Star game? DROOL. No one else on the pitch would touch the ball, ever.

ETA: Adriano goes right by that lamppost in a Chelsea uniform and unleashes a shot. Jesus Christ Frank, how about you TRY not look like you've put down roots?!
ETA2: Cahill with the nice stop on Sanchez - he & Meireles have been great for Chelsea thus far.
ETA3: WTF was that?! Sanchez & Cesc with some magic that evaporates quickly...

Edited by soxfan121, 18 April 2012 - 03:01 PM.

[sachmoney]

I actually think the Barça attack has been fine; Cesc should have scored at least once, and probably twice. Cole's clearance was only possible because Cesc hit the ball too gently.

Messi falling asleep to set up the goal was straight out of bizarro world. Ramires did a very nice job on the break. Surprised Drogba was able to get up off the pitch long enough to score the goal.

Iniesta absolutely schooling Cahill with his footwork before being shoved to the ground was high comedy.

Yeah that one and the Sanchez shot could have gone Barca's way. I don't think Cesc could have hit that harder, choosing to hit it the way he did and have it still go in. He needed the spin to have it go on net. That was also which allowed Cole to get back. I don't know. Not sure how many finishes he has in his arsenal. He was still learning and improving at it last year. I think the Iniesta rebound was more of a half chance with the ball bouncing and Terry breathing down his neck. He had to hit it as it was and he sliced it.

Iniesta's skill has been a delight to watch.

That lob is what Cesc excels at.

[Apisith]

Fabregas has had a shitter.

[sachmoney]

It's funny seeing Barcelona players complaining about another team's player writhing on the ground.

[soxfan121]

Fabregas has had a shitter.

You ain't kidding. Not invisible like some other players on the pitch but almost everything Cesc has touched has turned to crap today.

[Apisith]

Drogba is massively trolling Barca.

[soxfan121]

Drogba is massively trolling Barca.

Busquets & Drogba laughing at Ramires inadequate rolling & crying skills.

ETA: Announcers saying if the result holds that Drogba should be MoM; not IMO. Meireles has been enormous, man-marking Messi for the entire match and anchoring the Chelsea defensive bus-parking efforts.
ETA2: Puyol almost...but Cech saves. Cech has also has a very, very good game for Chelsea.

Edited by soxfan121, 18 April 2012 - 03:31 PM.

[soxfan121]

Credit to Chelsea, Meireles, Drogba and DiMatteo...good game plan, great execution, excellent effort and some good luck when it was needed. Hope going to the Nou Camp for Leg 2 ... congrats to Chelsea. Didn't think it was even possible.

And what the fuck!? Off the post in the 92nd minute. Not Barca's night.

[TapeAndPosts]

Oh my God

[Apisith]

Fuck. 6 days until the second legs is far too long.

[sachmoney]

It'll be interesting to see if Chelsea can shut Barcelona down at the Nou Camp. They've done it before, and I think they're better equipped to hold this lead at the Nou Camp than Arsenal was last year (veteran players, better defense). It will be a tough, tough match.

[Zomp]

Soxfan121...any apologies towards Snake?

[soxfan121]

Soxfan121...any apologies towards Snake?

Why do I need to apologize to a delusional jerk who hasn't ever been civil to me? And for what, exactly?

Credit to CHELSEA - they played well. I was wrong about the TEAM and their chances in this game. Good for them. As said above - good game plan, excellent execution, some good luck and a great win.

[Apisith]

Chelsea had a good game plan but fuck me did Barca not waste their chances. They had three clear 1v1s (Sanchez twice, Fabregas once) and a host of other chances. They're still favorites but the second leg is oh so tasty now.

[SoxFanInCali]

Not surrendering an away goal is huge. A 2-1 loss at Camp Nou and they are through to the final.

[TapeAndPosts]

Great backheel by Busquets, great shot by Pedro, rattles off the woodwork. Wait, don't Barça always score in the 92nd minute at the Bridge?

Barça just couldn't quite finish anything, and most of the credit for that goes to Chelsea's defending, which was terrific.

No away goals, so Barça will have to win by two at the Camp Nou. Not panicked, but it's going to be far from easy.

[triniSox]

As a Barca fan, frustrating game. Cesc, Sanchez and Pedro all missed clear-cut chances with a post and cross-bar thrown in there too. Credit to Chelsea though - they made sure Messi wasn't at the end of any of those clear-cut chances. Cech was good and Chelsea's counterattacking game was good.

I hope for Barca to run them out of the Camp Nou next week though.

[Snakebauer007]

Why do I need to apologize to a delusional jerk who hasn't ever been civil to me? And for what, exactly?

Credit to CHELSEA - they played well. I was wrong about the TEAM and their chances in this game. Good for them. As said above - good game plan, excellent execution, some good luck and a great win.

Not been civil to you? Are you insane? Who had the psychotic post attacking someone personally? Not to mention how you were completely wrong in doing so. All I have done is discuss the issues at hand. Not to mention you couldn't even post about the ongoing game without taking a dig at me when I wasn't even present. Get over it.

Edited by Snakebauer007, 18 April 2012 - 07:36 PM.

[Snakebauer007]

Chelsea were all parts well organized, played decently and fortunate. Not sure if they can hold out away from home though. Undefeated with Roman in control against Barca when allowed to finish with 11 players.

Cahill was stellar, as was Ramires. Drogba, I mean what a drama queen, dove no fewer than 6 times. For all the talk of the negative side of Barca's theatrics, Drogba was far away the worst offender in today's match.

Ramires on the left was a surprise, he hasn't played there at all, but it lead to the goal, when you know who(Alves) got caught way up field and Xavi didnt track Ram's run. Still think we need another threat out wide and Mata needs to move into the center where he is best, Chelsea never really threatened Barca's left side.

Kind of shocked Torres didn't come on at all, he's been(sadly) our best wide player of late. The Kalou sub was poor. I understand Meireles is out there just to run around and harass and chase, but Essien a superior player could perform that role, and do so with less turnovers when needing to pass the ball, he is also a much better man marker/tackler.

Hopefully Di Matteo knows Chelsea will need to score in the away leg, no way we hold Barca that much at bay again

[Royal Reader]

Why do I need to apologize to a delusional jerk who hasn't ever been civil to me? And for what, exactly?

Credit to CHELSEA - they played well. I was wrong about the TEAM and their chances in this game. Good for them. As said above - good game plan, excellent execution, some good luck and a great win.

To be fair, Snakebauer's not the one who called the other party 'fucking delusional' and 'a waste of bandwidth and time' based on a misread post.

[kenneycb]

I am curious if you have any strong inclination, especially when you originally posted this(Luiz wasn't hurt) as to whom you expected to start for Chelsea.
Luiz, Cahill, Ivan, Ramires, Mata are not old players, and certainly are not immobile either, Ashley Cole is 31 but clearly not slow, Lampard and Terry are both old, but neither has ever relied on speed to make their games go and are still fairly useful players.

Milan's inferior set of midfielders/defense held Barca mostly at bay, just couldn't get any help from Barca's referee. If they could do a decent job, no reason to count Chelsea out, they only have one player I'd take from their defense or midfield to start at Chelsea.

In the end, Barca is the clear favorite, and very well could destroy Chelsea, just didnt find the description of the midfielders and defenders accurate in the least.

Stop being a mean-spirited, irrational and hate-filled douche.

Didn't see it but sounded like Barca had their fair share of chances just couldn't finish. Can't rely on Messi to finish all his chances.

[ethangl]

Stop being a mean-spirited, irrational and hate-filled douche.

Agreed. Completely out of line.