samzilla

I can't believe how cocky and arrogant the whole Bayern organization has gotten. Let's consider the DFB Cup again Borussia. It was a chance to redeem themselves against a team that's had their number. Rather than rise to the challenge, buckle down, and git'r done they folded up like a cheap tent. Suddenly the only trophy they cared about all along was the CL trohpy. They truly think they're above the DFB Cup. Then, after that, they act like they're entitled to CL trophy and that Chelsea should be flattered just to be on the same pitch with them. Nothing but derogatory comments have been said about Chelsea from all levels of their organization in recent weeks. Compare that to Chelsea. They too faced a foe in a Cup final who's had their number (as we all know, Chelsea and Bayern had both suffered four consecutive losses at the hands of their respective foes). Guess what? Chelsea stepped up and showed the world that winning is worth it. It's the principle of the matter in competitive sport. Winning is always worth it. Chelsea's not "too good" for any trophy. They all count. Chelsea has shown the world that they have an incredible amount of will. They didn't give up when they were down 3-1 to Napoli. They didn't quit when they were down to Barca in both goals and men. People will say Bayern has more skill (even though Chelsea are incredibly skilled in their own right), but guess what: Will beats skill when skill doesn't have enough will. Now ask yourself, which team has more will? Come on you Blues!

now that the day is almost upon us the reality has set in that we can't actually be friends. there's just too much on the line for both sides to care about feelings anymore.

I've done 7 sims in Fifa using predicted lineups to the best of my ability. So far Bayern's won 4 to Chelsea's 3. But wait, don't get too depressed, here's the interesting bit. 3 out of the 4 Bayern wins have come after 90 mins. 2 on penalties, and one was a 117' goal. Bayern is generally eeking out their wins in the sims. ALL 3 of Chelsea's wins have come in 90 mins. So the moral of the story is beat Bayern in 90!

we can change the name to bosingwa fc for all I care!

Torres to Kalou says hi.

that's great news. we're due!

I see Studge as the weapon the bench. Especially if Chelsea is down a goal sometime in the second half. They'll have to take chances offensively then and Sturridge's fresh set of legs and offensive flair could be invaluable at a time when being defensively responsible isn't as prudent as getting the equalizer. I don't think Sturridge should start, and count me in the group who will be let down if it's not Torres. However, I can understand why Malouda may start. For me it's Torres > Malouda > Sturridge as starting options.

he was just testing to see if you were reading

How do you know their interests don't lie in Chelsea winning? Maybe Roman's coughing up the big bucks after the '09 debacle, lol.

Really not sure where they came up with a nash equilibrium of kicking 61.5% to the right in that article. One would think randomizing between left, right, and centre 1/3rd of the time would be a more likely equilibrium. 61.5% seems more like an exploitive strategy than a game theory optimal one (and since they're probably basing it on past success % of the number of pens taken against different goalkeepers, there's probably a bias built into their results). Kicking to the right 61.5% of the time doesn't really make the goalkeeper indifferent between going left or right (or staying centre). As a matter of fact, it should make the keeper more likely to dive right. To adjust, Lampard would end up kicking more often to the left (chosen at random, of course). And should they run multiple trials, they would both ultimately settle into playing an equilibrium. Here's a quick model only accounting for left and right (didn't want to deal with the extra algebra at this time of night that comes with including centre, lol). When Lamps shoots left and keeper goes right, Lamps gets 1 and the keeper gets 0. When Lamps shoots left and so does the keeper, the goalie gets 1 and Lamps gets 0 (he makes the save, in effect), and so on and so forth. This is a super simple model (especially the payoffs) and doesn't account for things like the times Lamps will shoot right and the keeper will dive right as well but Lamps will still get a goal, or the times he'll miss the net altogether. This will probably happen close to equally as often on both sides so in a way they cancel each other out. Using simple algebra we deduce: 1p+0(1-p)=0p+1(1-p) = P = 1/2. So Lamps kicking left or right with an equal probability of 1/2 will make the keeper indifferent to diving left or right. The keeper can do no better against Lampard by changing his strategy in any way, shape, or form to try and counteract what Lamps is doing.

That would be a little dim. Perfect practice makes perfect. If this was a dress rehearsal for the CL, playing softly is not the way to prepare for the big show. That's a good way to reinforce bad habits. Habits I hope Bayern reinforced very strongly today.

I was thinking the same thing. Truly epic.

Bayern played like the DFB Cup wasn't worth getting up for. Chelsea in the FA Cup played like that one and the CL final are all they'll ever have to play for. I like that the Blues think every trophy is worth it. We won't have to manufacture intensity. Nous somme prets. We are ready!

backbreaker! hatty for lewandowski! drogba and torres, do the same!

game on?

It could...it could also demoralize them to the point where they come out trying to force things to compensate for their weakened D, and if we take quick advantage of their patchwork defense, they could be beaten mentally beyond repair. From what I understand, Bayern were looking past this game to the CL. It wouldn't surprise me if they are looking right past Chelsea to the trophy. That could be their downfall.

boom!

what the hell was that from langerak?!?

to be safe, maybe cech should wear a hockey helmet..I'm only half j/k'ing, lol

what vision! kagawa! lewandowski!

more poor defense from bayern, penalty coming up!

keep diving, gomez...sure hope the officials don't buy his crap next saturday

that's the kinduv defensive lapse we need to see from Bayern next week...

Am I the only one of the opinion that this needs to be treated as a dress rehearsal for the CL final? Whoever's going to be starting that match needs to be get their chemistry and communication going now, and if something's definitely not going to work, then waiting until the CL to find out is too late.

done with this game