Mohammed Seif

Yeah I know that Brazil 94's squad was ugly . I liked the 98 squad more to be honest. I thought Mauro Silva was a defender. Anyways, I am not questioning the beauty of the game. As far as I know the Socrates/ Zico squad was the team that played the most beautiful football for Brazil (again I might be mistaken). I was just stating how effective it was.

Y You might be correct. As I said I am just speculating. For two consecutive matches now when it was crucial for us to score, he had only 1 defensive midfielder/ pivot. That is how I came to that deduction. But it can be all just a coincidence. I agree Time will show

Never under estimate a midfielder man. I remember how Dunga was just KEY in every game of Brazil. True that the partnership of Romario and Bebeto was fabulous. But the role of Dunga was amazing. Rai (if I remember correctly) was also KEY to that team. They helped make that transition of play from offense to defense and vice versa just amazing and effective.

Luiz did a good job too in that position alone against PSG. Couldn't judge well since he played alone in the last 15 mins (if I am not mistaken). But Matic like you said is just fantastic.

http://livefootballvideo.com/

I am speculating right now. But if I am not mistaken, Mourinho has demonstrated a glimpse of how our offensive formation might be next year. While we usually play with 4-2-3-1, in the PSG match we switched at the end to 4-1-2-3 and against Swansea to 4-1-3-2. Might be looking at one of those two to be used next year. Maybe if we bring in or develop a player you can play both DM and AM we will be able to execute this within the match depending on how the games go. I liked the look of it today, though definitely the players need to get used to it. But as I said, I am purely speculating.

Looked very nasty man

You know what I would LOOOOVED it if he had scored and given an assist. The kid moved very well and will always have my support. But I want him to improve. There is a lot to improve in his game and he has to keep digging hard till he reaches his full potential. Ba was my man, for shutting me up and teaching me not to underestimate him again.

I quiet understand your ambition. I say Amen to that too. But this is Mourinho's first year back, new players, some are really young, and a new system. We might be lacking in certain positions, but we are in the title race, and in the semis of the CL. Southamptin and Everton are not even to be compared with us. They are not in that position. If we were playing one mathc a week like Everton, Liverpool and others, I would guarantee you that our game would have looked much prettier. We don't have the luxury of time and rest.

Decent performance today. Was not his best, but that is ok judging on the amount of energy he put a few days ago against PSG. Would have wanted him to rest but the way the game was going really needed him. I hope he gives a the string performance he gave against stoke next week against Sunderland. Great heart.

LOOOL. We win, we complain. We lose, we complain. We are out of the title race, we complain. We are back in the title race, we complain. What will it take to enjoy what we have really? Everyone knows that we are not the most mature team and we are in a transitional stage. Everyone knows how young our players are. Everyone knows we don't play the prettiest football out there. Everyone knows how crucial it is to win this game and the next 4. So what is the big deal? We got what we want, the 3 points. Some players should have done better (including Salah), but at the end of the day we win as a team and we loose as a team. Hats off to Jose Mourinho for his tactical adjustments and they look good. Could be one of our good offensive formations if we get used to it and learn to adapt. Brilliant character from Ba. All he had to do is believe in himself and give it his best regardless of what anyone else would thing. Got the winnet at PSG's game and got the winner for a vital 3 points.

Good performance from the young kid in his second start. Plenty to improve on. I hope he would have capitalized today with at least two goals. Never the less, good job, good heart, VERY INTELLIGENT moves. I love the fact that he tries to link up with players. I see him only getting better and better. Good passes today which is a new aspect he is bringing to his game. Always go forward young brother. God bless you kid.

Total respect for this MAN. Proved that it doesn't matter who likes him or who doesn't, who believes and who has no faith in him. It all didn't matter. All he had to do was believe in himself, give it his best and what happens happens. Such character is what separates men from boys. Got the job done in PSG's game. Got the job done today. I don't care how pretty or ugly it is. Well done again.

???!!!

Yessssss

naa most likely matic alone. Oscar to press with willian forward.

He is definitely the only player getting into good positions along with Iva who is making good runs from behind. But the kid seems anxious. Should have scored a couple. No big deal really but we need the three points. I can understand the frustration especially after liverpool's gift. To be fair, as a team we are not doing too much either. I believe we will get through though and get the 3 points

Perfect result for us. We have to just keep the same mentality. Treat the remaining games like cuo games. Win them all five of them, and hope City gets a tie in their remaining games. Trophy will be ours. But we need to focus on our matches. Don't pay any attention to other results. I am quiet sure Mourinho will keep our team mentally calm and prepared for it. It is so close now.

draw

Brilliant cool finish

I would totally agree with you but you are missing out Willian, Oscar, and Schurrle. They contribute so much to defense. So practically speaking it is combo of DMs and those three putting the pressure on their midfield. If you watch the PSG game again, specifically the second half and just ignore everything and observe the movements of those three especially Willian. It is massive mate. I don't know if the Atletico midfield played with each other more because I haven't watched them a lot. ( only 6 games), but I am sure they will feel a lot of pressure. Even from the mental aspect. It is going to be a tough one and if things go normally I don't see many goals scored over the two leagues. But you never know what might happen. But know doubt they have a tight midfield.

It is definitely not an easy game. The battle in midfield will be crucial. The one who dominates this are is more likely to win the match. I don;t think our team lacks that intensity and technicality to match up with them. I think we are even as far as the players are concerned or the difference is not that great. But we do have the upper hand tactically. They will try to disrupt our system and we will do the same. The one who forces his system and tempo on the other is likely the one to win.

Barbara you are missing an important point. That both of them, Chelsea and Atletico, don't mind him playing for a fee. That is part of the agreement. If they pay, he plays. Both of them are prepared to overlook conflicts or whether it is ethical or not. Should their be a law or restriction by UEFA to avoid things like that? Maybe. It is debatable. You might find this unethical, I might see it ethical but it doesn't matter really. What matters is what both parties involved see it as. You and I know very well that at good moments and bad ones people talk and question things. We win against Paris, most people are happy but some would still call it lucky and have a go at a player or the manager. We lose from Paris, the same scenario happens. So there is no clear way to stop people from not coming up with conspiracy theories . Say for the sake of being ethical from your point of view, he doesn't play regardless if they are willing to pay a fee or not, the Costa situation still exists and Courtois loan agreement is not over . There are still conflict of interests there right? Rumors will exist right? I can guarantee you that whether we win or lose, with Courtois or without him, some people would put speculations about it. Not long ago Hazard gave a polite comment and all of a sudden he is a bad guy, didn't want to face his new team!!!! What if Costa plays bad? Is he doing it for Chelsea? What of he play exceptionally well? Does that mean he doesn't like us and doesn't want to join? In this game and industry, there are always conflict of interests. Always some sort of a hunt and fight off the field and on the field. Again both Chelsea and Atletico agreeing to those terms means that they are willing to overlook this matter. As far as Cesar's wife is concerned I am 100% with you . I respect your opinion and point of view as usual.

Regarding the talk about the contract and the agreement and people should honor their agreements, I have absolutely no problem with that. I to totally agree. Why have an agreements if you can't put them in effect? Having said that, him playing should not be a problem. If they pay the fee that BOTH CHELSEA AND ATLETICO agreed on, then surely he should play. Them agreeing on a fee for it, is saying that it is ETHICAL according to their standards. It is ok for both clubs to have him play at a price . You see ethical is a very flexible thing here. I hardly see any conflict of interest. I don't see Atletico playing him against us if they don't trust him therefore he has to be trusted. I don't see a kid rising to be one of the top goalkeepers in the world giving up a match for the sake of his parent team that he MIGHT start playing with next season. I don't think a player who progresses will not want to win and play hard to earn a trophy and add it to his credentials. I don't think Chelsea will be harmed either. After all they will get to see their player, rise and gain more experience and be mentally tested, therefore IF he comes back next year he will be more ready. With all respect, but people who think that Courtois playing against us means that we can't go through (and I don't mean you here but I thought I should point it out while I am at it ), should re-evaluate their thoughts. When we had the PSG firs leg game, I clearly remember people saying that PSG are not tested, they just play for money, If they wanted to test themselves they should go play in the EPL, and you know what I agree. We had arguments about Chelsea playing against top teams and proving themselves while PSG only played against Monaco. Again I agree. But now the same people are afraid to play against a team who has a good goal keeper. So much for testing and challenging themselves day in and out . I find that strange and doesn't make sense. PSG is not good enough because they are not being tested and at the same time Chelsea should play against a weakened side to win the trophy!!! People should not change their opinion whenever it serves them best. I don't know if that is ETHICAL or HONORING their words.( Again not you ) Again about the contract, I absolutely concur. But if UEFA is the bad guy and decides he should play, or if Atletico pay the money and TRUST him to play, or if Chelsea didn't mind him playing and find it ethical/acceptable, we shouldn't worry much about it from the prospective of the match. Chelsea afraid to play against Atletico because of ONE guy is quiet degrading. Whether he plays, Costa plays, Messi, or whomever plays we shouldn't worry. We should believe more in our team that hasn't let us down, believe in the manager that we keep praising and admire his tactics. It is like we all of a sudden forgot the PSG games and how those MEN rose to the occasion.

Sure, he might. But seriously if we can't beat them because of A GOAL KEEPER, we have no chance if we face a team like Bayern who has THE BEST GOAL KEEPER (not to mention the rest of their players). You want to be the best, you beat the best. It is that simple. This is an 11 vs 11 game. I would have more confidence in my team. We just destroyed one of the most expensive teams with talented players. We made the like of Ibra and Cavani look overrated and regular players. We SHOULD be able to score against Courtois or Neuer.