Football (Soccer) Thread

[Josephus]

Nothing better in the world than Champions League football. Nothing.

[FunkMonk]

I wonder how many Mexicans and Turks I'll see tomorrow wearing a Barca shirt.

[katmai]

I wonder how many Mexicans and Turks I'll see tomorrow wearing a Barca shirt.

How many did you see today? 

[Viking]

I've got to say that coming back from two goals down with 10 men on the pitch losing your captain and only competent central defender against barcelona with torres as striker really has to be one of the greatest achievements within the sport this year.

I think the search for a manager has ended, give the job to bob.

[Pedrito]

Nothing better in the world than Champions League football. Nothing.

You're so right.

About Chelsea, it seems that Di Matteo has given some squareness at least.

And Drogba is probably a horrible cheater, but what. a. player.

L.

[FunkMonk]

I wonder how many Mexicans and Turks I'll see tomorrow wearing a Barca shirt.

How many did you see today? 

On campus I see Mexicans/Arabs/Turks in either Barca or Real Madrid kit all the time. Only white people wear English clubs here. 

[FunkMonk]

I think the search for a manager has ended, give the job to bob.

Agreed. He turned a mediocre team into a Champions League finalist.

[Tamas]

OMG what a game. What an effort. MY HEART!!!!

The final will be played by the reserve squad btw. Terry, Ivanovic, Ramirez, Meireiles, all gone for it.

[Tamas]

I think the search for a manager has ended, give the job to bob.

Agreed. He turned a mediocre team into a Champions League finalist.

Grant also led them to the final. Although it is different now, they clearly have chemistry with dimatteo

[Viking]

OMG what a game. What an effort. MY HEART!!!!

The final will be played by the reserve squad btw. Terry, Ivanovic, Ramirez, Meireiles, all gone for it.

Regarding player availability, in the defense after terry's sending off chelsea was defending with three fullbacks and defensive midfielder, which sort of begs the question, why the hell does anybody need out and out central defenders when playing against barcelona?

Cole - Luiz - Cahill - Boswinga

works as a defensive line... eh .. sort of... it has Luiz in it, so maybe not...

[FunkMonk]

Regarding player availability, in the defense after terry's sending off chelsea was defending with three fullbacks and defensive midfielder, which sort of begs the question, why the hell does anybody need out and out central defenders when playing against barcelona?

Interesting. Chelsea essentially played 6-3-0 for the second half. With that many players packing the box and occupying space their limited choices of central defenders maybe weren't as problematic as they would have been normally.

[Viking]

Interesting. Chelsea essentially played 6-3-0 for the second half. With that many players packing the box and occupying space their limited choices of central defenders maybe weren't as problematic as they would have been normally.

Chelseas subs were Boswinga for Cahill (offensive back for a central defender), Kalou for Mata ("like" for "like") and Torres for Drogba (blank shooter for godlike awesom). There were alot of chelsea players who are better known for their offensive skills rather than their defensive ones.

Barca breaks down established defenses by moving the ball around forcing the defense to open up a gap which can be exploited or force the defense to allow one of its dribblers enough space and time to create a gap. To be blunt your central defenders will not be contributing to stopping this, they will react to the gaps. They are not looking for crosses or target men, they keep the ball in the team and if you can keep their opportunities to exploit space to low success percentages. Basically seeing the passing go Messi to Xavi to Busquets to Xavi to Iniesta to Xavi to Messi to Xavi for 45 minutes without any passes to open the defense is what chelsea was aiming for and seems to have gotten. If you are going to defend like that you'll prefer fast skilfull players to strong motivated players.

[Warspite]

Chelsea invented new football positions tonight: inside and outside fullbacks.

I still don't rate Di Matteo as a manager yet. People forget his previous managerial experiences and the fact that a lot of the Chelsea squad's revitalisation is, I suspect, part of a desire to rescue their reputation after essentially having forced AVB out. I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

[katmai]

I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

Let's go Newcastle!

[FunkMonk]

Chelsea invented new football positions tonight: inside and outside fullbacks.

I still don't rate Di Matteo as a manager yet. People forget his previous managerial experiences and the fact that a lot of the Chelsea squad's revitalisation is, I suspect, part of a desire to rescue their reputation after essentially having forced AVB out. I would advise Chelsea fans to not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet: they're still outsiders for fouth place in the PL.

I'd say I have been as skeptical of Chelsea under di Matteo as you are, but today's game convinced me otherwise. I know Barca has been running on fumes recently, but holding them off over two legs in a Champions League semifinal is a pretty great accomplishment.