closed Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

[Superblue 6,331]

Now I've had chance to think about the night and digest the game, firstly its a perfect example of why football is so unique for providing such a rollercoaster of emotions. From starting the game hoping, to nervousness, then to frustration when Willian hit both posts, to elation and finally to disappointment. The performance was very good tonight, a throw back to a few years ago and its a complement to the players that having started the game just hoping to still be in the tie, we finish it disappointed to draw 1-1.

Everyone put in a shift tonight. Pedro wasn't at his best offensively but he run himself into the ground for the team, doing a lot of pressing so that Hazard didn't need to waste energy. It was also the best I've seen Fabregas play for a long time in such a big game. 

The back 3 should be our first choice now for the rest of the season. Azpi is immense and leads by example, Rudiger will continue to get better as he plays a run of games more. I'm disappointed for Christensen with his mistake but he will have to learn and learn quickly. Unfortunately this is one of the downsides to younger players is that they will make mistakes (Scott did something similar against Hull) and will be frustrating at times but it's a learning curve and he has proven this season he is by far our best option in that position. I'm glad Conte backed him after the game and I hope he continues to do so by playing him as his undisputed number one centre back.

Willian is really starting to hit a bit of form now, alongside Hazard and I'm just hoping that it kicks us on now for a very difficult and important run of games.

Special mention to for Conte. He got his tactics spot on for me tonight. It left us compact, but when we had the ball we looked direct and dangerous. You feel that this was a game that really got him going and you could see that he was back to his old, vibrant best on the touchline. When he is like this, I don't see anyone out there that is realistically attainable that is on his level as a coach. The biggest question will be can he keep this little bit of momentum going and help us kick on again. 

[Iggy Doonican 4,186]

I'm old school Chelsea and proud of it so I don't give a shit about tactics and boring analysis. What I do you care about is the famous CFC and we were superb tonight and apart from one mistake we would have beaten the greasy pricks. Regardless if they beat us in the second leg in that soulless fucking amphitheatre they are just the epitome of footballs smug elitist cunts. 

[Captain Ahmed 528]

Cross your fingers for the return leg. They're obviously the favorite. Park the bus isn't what I want to see. Trust on yourself, take out of this 3-5-2. Whatever the result, the Blues must wet the jersey the beginning until the end. May God forgive us to have sold Salah, De Bruyne,etc. 

[Johnnyeye 7,414]

2 hours ago, mccg said:

Lets hope we get afew dodgy referee decisions our way when we play them there honk honk honk , when is the last team to have more total/shots than barca this season?  , imagine if we were full of confidence and playing really well? Hopefully we carry on do utd on Sunday!

lets see how we do in the 2nd leg, we've proven we can do this and maybe with the right luck we can go trough, we hope. 

if we have this mentality and attitude in the league until the end of the season, i have no doubt we can stay in the top 4 and maybe win the FA Cup. Cheers

[Amblève. 4,995]

Always nice to see that the Barca DNA is still alive.

[Strike 6,961]

I think this Barca team can be beaten at Camp Nou

[Alabama 1,992]

1 hour ago, Strike said:

I think this Barca team can be beaten at Camp Nou

That's my biggest frustration last night... Anyway it's football had Willian first half chance gone in... It will an entirely different results... They are not spectacular...

[robsblubot 3,217]

5 hours ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Now I've had chance to think about the night and digest the game, firstly its a perfect example of why football is so unique for providing such a rollercoaster of emotions. From starting the game hoping, to nervousness, then to frustration when Willian hit both posts, to elation and finally to disappointment. The performance was very good tonight, a throw back to a few years ago and its a complement to the players that having started the game just hoping to still be in the tie, we finish it disappointed to draw 1-1.

Everyone put in a shift tonight. Pedro wasn't at his best offensively but he run himself into the ground for the team, doing a lot of pressing so that Hazard didn't need to waste energy. It was also the best I've seen Fabregas play for a long time in such a big game. 

The back 3 should be our first choice now for the rest of the season. Azpi is immense and leads by example, Rudiger will continue to get better as he plays a run of games more. I'm disappointed for Christensen with his mistake but he will have to learn and learn quickly. Unfortunately this is one of the downsides to younger players is that they will make mistakes (Scott did something similar against Hull) and will be frustrating at times but it's a learning curve and he has proven this season he is by far our best option in that position. I'm glad Conte backed him after the game and I hope he continues to do so by playing him as his undisputed number one centre back.

Willian is really starting to hit a bit of form now, alongside Hazard and I'm just hoping that it kicks us on now for a very difficult and important run of games.

Special mention to for Conte. He got his tactics spot on for me tonight. It left us compact, but when we had the ball we looked direct and dangerous. You feel that this was a game that really got him going and you could see that he was back to his old, vibrant best on the touchline. When he is like this, I don't see anyone out there that is realistically attainable that is on his level as a coach. The biggest question will be can he keep this little bit of momentum going and help us kick on again. 

great points esp concerning the youngsters... but I think Stones was good against Hull (and Wigan too despite pundits thinking he was walker )

I disagree about the tactics though: these are cowardly small team tactics IMO. Yes, we had volume of play esp first half, which came with the hefty price of not employing strikers. That's what strikers can help with: they increase your odds of scoring with a specialist in the team, so not playing one at home regardless of opposition is just inexcusable to me.

It's also in games like these that I think Hazard is less special than folks here make him out to be - expected more from him.

[Johnnyeye 7,414]

2 hours ago, Amblève. said:

Always nice to see that the Barca DNA is still alive.

dirty cheats, nothing new here, expect a lot of this crap in the 2nd leg, to try and send our players off

[Cosmin 2,484]

Maybe we'll have a better go at them at the Nou Camp. This was our second best performace in the UCL this season. Combine this with a little of what we played against Atletico in the away leg and there is hope. 

[coolhead23 1,146]

If some had given me 1-1 before the start of the game I would have grabbed with both hands & feet. However now I feel a little disappointed specially the way we played, it was almost the perfect game and we gave Barca a run for their money that too without playing our strikers. Some of us would criticize Conte's tactics but I feel he got it right and also we need to understand this is a 2 leg tie. 

There was a tremendous passion within the team and more importantly a belief which is so good to see. There was a disappointment after the game that they didnt bag 3 points which showcase the amount of hard work which went off the field for this game. 

We need to keep the momentum into Camp Nou specially with so many crucial games coming up. 

 

P.S. Just a thought, would we be playing 2 strikers at Nou Camp? 

[Johnnyeye 7,414]

1 hour ago, coolhead23 said:

There was a disappointment after the game that they didnt bag 3 points

that would be if it was in the group stage  and i dont think Conte will employ 2 strikers, maybe just one up front with Hazard and William in support, the false 9 system might be too risky to use in the 2nd leg as Barca will be ready for it this time around.

[bigbluewillie 1,805]

8 hours ago, Iggy Doonican said:

I'm old school Chelsea and proud of it so I don't give a shit about tactics and boring analysis. What I do you care about is the famous CFC and we were superb tonight and apart from one mistake we would have beaten the greasy pricks. Regardless if they beat us in the second leg in that soulless fucking amphitheatre they are just the epitome of footballs smug elitist cunts. 

Not just that bud, what about that fucking commentator on BT Sport, can't recall his fucking name, all he banged on about was Messi.

Then the cunt went on about the return leg, and what they were going to do to us there, like this game was all over and done in Barca's favour.

[bigbluewillie 1,805]

10 hours ago, Robguima said:

Nah we are out. 

Decent performance, but poor result.

barcelona are much stronger at home, so expect a much more difficult game.

Fuck mate.

Yeah i was critical of this home leg, but warmed to the match, i thought we were really good, and desperately unlucky not to win the game.

What about a bit more positive approach from you, never say never bud, we are CFC it aint over til the fat lady sings, if we go there with your defeatist attitude then we are truly done for.

KTBFFH

[Special Juan 27,101]

Didn't get to watch it as I was out last night but it is really hard to find out how we played listening to the media this morning and people on the radio.

[communicate 2,703]

1 hour ago, coolhead23 said:

If some had given me 1-1 before the start of the game I would have grabbed with both hands & feet.

Why ?

If I were Valverde I'll be happy with 1-1 not if I were Conte.

1-1 at home is not the worst result but not a positive result at all.

[Fulham Broadway 16,392]

6 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

Didn't get to watch it as I was out last night but it is really hard to find out how we played listening to the media this morning and people on the radio.

Could be summed up by saying barring the mistake was good all round performance. Willian easily MOTM, but I was particularly impressed with Moses too, thought both he and Rudiger stepped up several gears. Kante and Fabregas were also excellent in midfield, so much discipline throughout the team. Conte got it spot on.

[coolhead23 1,146]

2 hours ago, Johnnyeye said:

that would be if it was in the group stage  and i dont think Conte will employ 2 strikers, maybe just one up front with Hazard and William in support, the false 9 system might be too risky to use in the 2nd leg as Barca will be ready for it this time around.

I meant a win ... 

2 strikers could just catch Barca by surprise and might push them behind. Anyways it's just a thought.