The Chels

Wasn't referencing anyone in particular. I just saw that stat mentioned a few times on this page and thought I'd point out how it could potentially be misleading. The lack of any European super clubs back then only makes the fact we didn't win the CL in Jose's first spell all the more regrettable. I do think the 04/05 side was stronger mentally and defensively, although this side is (or at least was in the first half of the season!) better on-the-eye and in terms of individual talent there isn't too much difference. How the two sides would fare together in the same era though is anyone's guess.

I don't think it's fair to suggest that the 14/15 side is better just because it suffered fewer defeats overall. We lost fewer domestic games in 04/05, and whilst that side did lose more European games (4 compared to 0), 2 of those defeats came after the round of 16. This year we didn't even progress beyond that stage but if we had then we would almost certainly have ended up losing at least one game in the CL, and progressing further in the competition may also have led to more defeats in the PL.

The only time I'd seen Juventus play this season prior to the CL SFs was their group stages game against Atleti. They barely threatened in either of the two games and they looked quite a way off CL finalists level. I was pleasantly surprised by their performance against Real though. Barca making it all the way to Berlin has been somewhat predictable with their form this calendar year, but fair play for predicting Juve to get there. It's far from a done deal yet but hopefully they do make it.

It's just the rumour that surfaced last month being mentioned again. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/05/chelsea-consider-move-atletico-madrid-antoine-griezmann http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/11585142/Chelsea-transfer-news-Jose-Mourinho-targets-Real-Madrid-star-Fabio-Coentrao.html

So good to watch.

So in just 3 articles from the past day or so (including the very reliable Guardian and moderately reliable Telegraph) we've been linked with: Goalkeepers: Rob Green, Guaita, Bettinelli Defenders: Alderweireld, Clyne, Varane, Coentrao Midfielders: Koke, Schneiderlin Forwards: Griezmann, Pedro, Lacazette, Icardi It looks set to be an interesting summer.

I don't think there will be much rotation. We can still aim for 90+ points and obviously don't want Liverpool (especially) to beat us at home.

He denies saying those words to the English media but doesn't deny the words themselves. They've just translated one of his Dutch sports columns apparently: http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/buitenlands/23996054/__Column_Gullit___Boring__Chelsea__.html

Cesc

Ouch. There's more too: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/apr/26/arsenal-cesc-fabregas-chelsea

3 clean sheets in a row.

Ancelotti is a better and more balanced manager than Mourinho and Simeone just because his vastly superior Real side beat Atleti for the first time in 8 attempts this season and is through to the CL SFs while the other two aren't? I understand why people rate Pep higher than the others but Ancelotti's league record speaks for itself.

Why do Barca deserve to win it already? I do think they will go all the way but playing well in and up to the QFs doesn't earn you the right to the trophy.

Very disappointing from Porto. A cowardly approach can be just as bad as a gung-ho approach IMO.

I'd say it's more to do with finishing than tactics. United did create 2 excellent chances after all through Rooney and Falcao, which followed player mistakes, but they couldn't capitalise. A top CL side would have ruthlessly punished us in those instances though as PSG/Atleti have recently shown us, and as we regularly show against others (including versus United yesterday and as you mention versus Liverpool last season).

Hopefully if (when) we go in front we don't get pegged back this time!

It seems like they have changed the rules. Spain to run riot in the CL next season then! No more than five clubs can enter the UEFA Champions League from one national association (this is an increase on the previous maximum of four). http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2215121.html Edit: beaten to it lol

Villarreal's counter attacking is particularly impressive. So much pace in their front line (hopefully they can keep hold of Vietto) and they have a tactically astute manager too, drawing away to Valencia and Real Madrid, beating Atleti and narrowly losing to Barca. And wouldn't Sevilla play in the CL if they won the EL? It'd be great to see Real, Barca, Atleti, Valencia and Sevilla all involved in the competition.

Sevilla, Valencia, Atletico. All incredibly strong at home and play with a lot of intensity. Great atmospheres too. I really enjoy watching them and would definitely not want to play away (especially) to any of them.

Performances like the one on Tuesday make this signing even more unlikely.

Possession is not a great indicator of dominance, especially in the big games. Here's 2 recent examples involving Real Madrid: Bayern Munich 0-4 Real Madrid (possession 69% to 31%)Atletico Madrid 4-0 Real Madrid (possession 45% to 55%) Plenty of pot shots. We had twice as many on target as they did last year (3 to 6) and hit the crossbar 3 times. These are all closely linked. City delivered more crosses into the box, which led to more clearances and more corners. That's no surprise considering we defend narrow and City rely on their widemen. How many clear-cut chances did they actually create last season though? Maybe 2? We created far more but this year it was undoubtedly the opposite. Jose's Madrid played against Barcelona twice in the week of 20-27 April 2011. That was the Copa del Rey final (pressing game, Madrid won) and CL SF first leg at the Bernabeu (passive defending, bus parked, Madrid lost). I'm not saying that the tactics was the sole reason for the difference in the outcome of the two games given Pepe's red card (although it certainly played a part IMO) but out of interest would you say the set-up in those two games was the same? The difference in intensity off the ball in those matches is comparable to that in the two City games.

The tactics were definitely not the same. The City away game last year was all about pressing, intensity, forcing mistakes and creating attacks high up the pitch. Even with a very limiting defence we dominated, which makes me wonder how well we could execute those tactics with an individually stronger, more proactive back line. This season the game was about sitting deep, being passive and waiting for a mistake. We got dominated. If you still think otherwise then I suggest you re-watch the games and look at the attitude of the players when out of possession because there is a very noticeable difference.

They aren't the best defensively and do give you a chance. Away to very difficult sides in the league/domestic cup like Sevilla, Valencia, Atleti and Real they have looked especially shaky at the back but I guess that's what Enrique wants - for the game to become stretched and for the opposition to go (or try to go) toe-to-toe with them. It hasn't always worked: they drew to Sevilla, lost to Madrid and were rather lucky to win at Valencia (last minute) and Atleti in the cup (clear pen denied followed by Barca goal), but at home they are formidable and ultimately a team whose attack is Neymar-Suarez-Messi has to be favourites.

Oh how I long for us to play the big games with the intensity and pressing we used at City away last season.