UEFA Champions League Thread [Archive]
- Thread starter DQuaN
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- HighSeasHoMastr
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QFT.
Fortunately, Chelsea will crumple in the final I suspect. No Terry, no Meireles, maybe no Cahill if that was serious. And I doubt that they will go out so negatively as the did in both these games, although perhaps they should since they can actually win...
But honestly, they did well to hang on after going down to 10. Would anyone have bet on Chelsea to go through in the 40th or so?
And Messi missing the penalty.... Woops.
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- 1,732
- cuco33
I am absolutely freaken shocked... I was listening to the match on my droid at work and when I heard both Cahill and Pique got hurt I thought... 'well... Terry is the last CB they have, should be interesting.' Then Terry gets a direct red and I said 'well... it's gonna be all Barca'. Then 2 goals... then Ramires scores before HT and I thought 'ok MAAAAAAAYBE the blues can pull this off by losing 2-1, parking the bus in front of net and advancing like this'. But they did better... they got Fer-flop-do Torres to score on a massive counter and tie. Barca's dominance is no more!!
Now all I need to see is Real Madrid beat out Bayern Munich but in my book, regardless who advances tomorrow will beat Chelsea in the final. Chelsea has players hurt and 4 players out on yellows.
Now all I need to see is Real Madrid beat out Bayern Munich but in my book, regardless who advances tomorrow will beat Chelsea in the final. Chelsea has players hurt and 4 players out on yellows.
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- GTP_Tyrrell
Anthony Percival on Twitter: "Interesting to see that John Terry has gone with the same team selection from the first leg."
Come on Chelsea, truly believe they can do it. Score draw.
Totally called that. Absolutely over the 🤬 moon. What a game. Truly amazing. Anti-football, whatever, I'l enjoy watching them play in a few weeks time in the final. Dubious decisions both ways so can't complain there.
Sure did, almost as good as Liverpool did West Brom. 👍
- 1,732
- cuco33
Portugal lost only 2 times that Euro... BOTH to Greece. Greece surprised everyone as they were favored to be knocked out in the early stages. Crazy how this sport is!!!
And I don't mind the 'anti-footy' comments because it's part of the game. You draw out the opponent to attack more and leave a player hanging for a major counter, just as Torres was all alone on Cech. Still, Chelsea would have gone through even if they lost 2-1 but 2-2 at Camp Nou is even better and cuz I hate Barcelona
MagpieRacer
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- Seagull_Racer
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- poolhaas / GTP_poolhaas
Indeed.
Barcelona is used to having 11 players lined up in front of the goal. A year ago they won those games 4-0, 5-0, ... Now they can't pull it of against 10, I say well played Chelsea.
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Yeah, they are called tactics. Tactics that some of the most renowned players in the history of the game, like Johan Cruyff and Messi himself are against. As someone said earlier in this thread, I would be ashamed to go through to the final like this.
Chelsea is not worthy of the final. It doesn't have a chance to win it. Barcelona, on the other hand, can win it (against Bayern), or at least has a chance to (Real Madrid).
Also, Chelsea only beat Barcelona in one of the matches. For what I care, Barcelona won today's match. It could have easily avoided that last goal, but when away goals are against you, and you are down to the very last minutes of play, you have to take your chances.
Barcelona is not invincible. That's a fact. No team is invincible. That doesn't mean that losing actually makes the other team superior. And that shows in La Liga, and pretty much every league in the world, such as the Premier League.
From what I have heard, Chelsea defended from the very beginning at Stamford Bridge. And from what I have seen, Chelsea defended from the very beginning at Camp Nou, while being one goal up.
I don't want my teams hanging from the crossbar.
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You expect Di Matteo to say, "Right lads, we have a chance if we play rigid, defensive football, but we might upset the beauty of the game so let's play open attacking football, try to outplay Barcelona and get destroyed. But at least we won't upset Lucas."
ExigeEvan
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So what do you suggest against Messi and one of the most effective attacking team in the world?
Play a game of ping-pong of constant attack and counter attack? Accept that you will concede and just aim to out score them? This isn't basketball, all-out defence is a credible tactic and clearly effective over 180 minutes.
And I'm going to win with my next lottery ticket. Self delusion.
I never said Chelsea were a better "team". On paper, on season wide results they don't compare. But they are worthy of the final because they beat Barcelona, twice, in the semi-final.
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So you know what I'm getting at.
Barcelona played two bad matches, at Stamford Bridge and at the Camp Nou. As it did the other day with Real Madrid. It's a shame. On top condition, this match would have been won.
That, and if Barcelona had a keeper like Cech and not the lousy Valdés.
Nothing. But know defending during 180 minutes won't leave me satisfied. And not proud, either.
If this discussion started because I used the words "anti-football", then I take it back. It's true, not everyone has to think the way I do about Chelsea.
You don't really think that, under normal circumstances, Valdés would be practically standing in the middle of the pitch, do you?
They only beat Barcelona once. When I hear the word "worthy", I think of a superior team. Maybe that's my problem. But surely one wouldn't say "Chelsea is worthy to be on the final because Barcelona conceded 5 own gals", right? At best, it means Barcelona shouldn't have been in the semi-finals at all.
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Fantastic performance Chelsea, really happy for the Chelsea fans. From a die hard Manchester United fan.
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I'm sure Barcelona will be right back up there next season. And the season after. And the season after that. They lost to the underdog this time because they simply weren't good enough. They were unlucky but that certainly hasn't been the case in recent Chelsea - Barcelona games.
Although it was "anti-football" it was still one of the most exciting games I've ever watched. You can't fault the massive effort by all the Chelsea players, particularly Cole and Ramires. It's the first time I've seen so many plaudits from United and Liverpool fans for Chelsea, surely that says something about the astonishing way they played their hearts out tonight.
The one thing I was disgusted with was Cech's yellow card. Didn't know getting the ball for a goal kick was an offence.
Although it was "anti-football" it was still one of the most exciting games I've ever watched. You can't fault the massive effort by all the Chelsea players, particularly Cole and Ramires. It's the first time I've seen so many plaudits from United and Liverpool fans for Chelsea, surely that says something about the astonishing way they played their hearts out tonight.
The one thing I was disgusted with was Cech's yellow card. Didn't know getting the ball for a goal kick was an offence.
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Yeah, that was one of the few times he didn't earn a yellow card
Phoenix
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It's great to see Chelsea beat Barcelona. Outstanding effort to keep the focus up and take home the victory.
Now I just hope Bayern wins agains Real Madrid, and wins it all...
Next year I hope that United can fight for the Champions League title aswell.
Just need to bury City first!
Now I just hope Bayern wins agains Real Madrid, and wins it all...
Next year I hope that United can fight for the Champions League title aswell.
Just need to bury City first!
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