I Got The Blues Steaua Bucharest 0 x 4 Chelsea – Champions League 2nd round I Got the Blues is a detailed analysis of best chances created, blocked and conceded by Chelsea players during matches. The feature rates the players’ individual contribution in each of those aspects, in addition to any important mistakes and isolated plays that could be highlighted. The rates vary from 1 to 5 [positively] and -5 to -1 [negatively] and are given individually for each player. Collective plays are also rated in terms of team work and team chemistry showed to build them. At the end all positive rates are summed up – as well as the negative - to provide a more precise assessment of individual performances. Stats rates vary depending on the zone where the duel happened. For example, tackles that created a counter-attack are rated higher than tackles in end zones. The ultimate objective in the analysis is to measure the players’ negative and positive contributions to the match, evaluate tactics employed as well as the collective work and how all of it influenced in the final result. Players total rates total amount of contributions; (negative rate/positive rate): § Cech: 5; (0/21) § Ivanovic: 16 (0/72) § Luiz: 25 (-6/104) § Terry: 11 (-6/45) § Cole: 6 (-10/19) § Ramires: 18 (-2/72) § Lampard: 8 (-8/23) § Mata: 15 (-4/58) § Oscar: 20 (-12/67) § Schürrle: 14 (-2/58) § Eto'o: 11 (-3/40) § Azpilicueta: 1 (0/5) § Willian: 1 (0/5) § Torres: 1 (0/5) Team Chemistry § It was showcased 15 plays where the team’s chemistry was evaluated. 13 out of those were rated 5, while one was rated 4 and another was rated 3. Team Work: § One more play was showcased and the stats are similar with 14 plays rated 5, two rated 4 and one rated 1. Individual highlights: § Ivanovic aerial duels: 10 attempts – 10 won, 0 lost. Ivanovic is the only defender not to make one single mistake during the match. He didn’t give the ball away, positioned himself poorly, failed to tackle and especially he didn’t fail to use his head to kill the opposition attempts to keep the ball. § Luiz pro-activeness: 10 times Luiz anticipated his opponents, intercepting the ball and regaining possession for Chelsea. § Ashley Cole partnership with André Schürrle. They concentrated Chelsea's action in the left side of the field being nearly unstoppable Conclusions: § No player contributed more positively to the match than David Luiz. The Brazilian had 25 highlighted contributions, only two of which negatively. The center back contributed with solid defensive skills, good passes to link up with the attack, but the stat that pops among his contributions is the amount of times he moved from his expected position, and anticipated his opponents, intercepting the ball and regaining possession for Chelsea. He did it ten times during the match. § Even if he doesn’t figure among the most highlighted contributors, André Schürrle was the man of the match taking part is almost all creative, dangerous and effective linkups in the attack. No player had more successful dribbles [or take-ons] in the pitch than Schürrle did. He also provided the width Chelsea have been lacking this season when facing deep defenses and overcrowded midfields. § Mourinho’s tactics seem to become clearer and clearer with each match and also more similar to the ones he had at Real Madrid. Chelsea pressed high in Steaua’s field most of the match [there was a certain relaxation from the 70th minute mark on, where the team was sloppier and probably tired already], having all players involved in the match whether Chelsea has the ball or not. it]. Tactical analysis: As briefly explained above the team seems to be absorbing Mourinho’s philosophy and for the second consecutive time [considering only the second-half against Spurs] they seemed to be solid, objective, fast and determined. At this point Mourinho should be convinced that Ramires is a great addition to the team as long as he strengthens the pivot. Not only the has Brazilian been showing improvement in his first touch and providing a better transition to attack than he did in the past, but he’s also a great presence in the midfield pressing and tackling the opposition. He’s growing into a very effective box-to-box midfielder that relentlessly protects and covers the defense, but who also appears in the attack with one of the team’s best finishing skills. The alternative used by previous managers and twice by Mourinho this season is having Ramires in the right winger, but if anything the first half against Spurs proved that as long as the double-pivot consists of Lampard and Mikel [and probably any combination involving Michael Essien as well], Chelsea can’t control the midfield either because of Lampard slowness or Mikel’s limited vision and ability to buildup attack plays. Also while improved, Ramires first touch isn't good enough for him to be considered a good winger. It’s a lose-lose situation for Chelsea, while having the #7 in the pivot seems like a win-win scenario. With the attacking players pressing high, and the double-pivot covering and protecting the defense, Mourinho’s high pressing plan consists of two stages: 1] try to suffocate the opponent, leading them to resort to long passes and consequently mistakes; 2] regain possession as soon as possible with tackles and interceptions. The first aspect could be seen clearly against Steaua [but also in the second half against Tottenham] and it’s one of the keys for Chelsea to control matches. With a well-posted defense, and David Luiz having freedom to roam around the pitch to offer defensive contributions and anticipate opposition even in the attack field, Chelsea detract the opponents’ possession and pass accuracy. The second aspect of the relentless pressing is to intercept the ball. That’s the main goal and every player in the pitch has to be aware of his surroundings and ready to anticipate the opponents’ move or to get involved in duels, recovering the ball. Mourinho’s style is as far from tiki-taka football as possible and the Portuguese doesn't believe in possession for the sake of it. He wants his team to control the match by putting a lot of pressure on the opponent with and without the ball. With the ball Mourinho wants a fast paced team that will move to the attack objectively, but who also knows how to hold back and start over calmly. Chelsea don’t have and won’t have a target man in the attack in most matches because their manager doesn't like the deep and direct connection [that leads to predictability and is more prone to mistakes] neither does he favor play concentrated in one individual – unless in exceptional talent cases such as Cristiano Ronaldo who he has managed for three years at Real Madrid. As players like his fellow countryman can’t be found at every football academy, Mourinho prefers his team to attack as a block, with as many targets as possible. Here is where the similarities with tikitaka ends. While the never-ending ball possession and pass exchanging aims to have the ball and pass it until a chance presents itself while tiring the opposition [probably also irritating them] and exhausting the defenders as well as the possibilities, Mourinho’s style is much more objective. He doesn't want his team to wait for the chance or the small break to appear, he wants his team to split the opposition apart. Ball possession in his tactics is the mean to the ends, but never the main objective. His team showed today with Ramires, Lampard, Cole, Ivanovic, Terry and Luiz that if the attacking players are well marked, they’ll restart the play in Chelsea's defensive field, only to give time to the attacking players to find the space required to have the play going on forward again – preferably quickly. Mourinho wants his team to favor pace over possession, but not in a predictable and premature way that many times lead to turnovers. Although Schürrle was fixed in the left wing, rarely venturing elsewhere, Oscar and Mata interchanged places between the middle and the right wing. Sometimes one of them even came to the left wing where Schürrle was as a way to offer one more linkup possibilities. Oscar also dropped deeper than Mata – as usual – which strengthens the pivot. While the Spanish seems to be incorporating to the work-rate Mourinho demands when Chelsea don’t have the ball, he mostly left to Oscar the responsibility of going behind the midfield line to start the play when Chelsea do have possession. That’s when the design in the field changes and the formation momentarily goes from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3. The double pivot and Oscar drop deep to organize the play and have a panoramic view of the attacking field to distribute the game. Once Chelsea moves forward, the formation switches back to the usual 4-2-3-1 and Oscar has been seen many times linking up with Mata, Lampard, Ivanovic and Eto'o in the middle as well as in the right [although the game didn't pass much to the right wing because of Schürrle’s effective presence in the left]. Many fans may have not understood why at the marks of 78 and 80 minutes Mourinho decided to sub two of his attacking midfielders for one winger and a full back. Some may have thought he wanted to rest Mata and Oscar or that he wanted to give Azpilicueta playing time, but Mourinho may have had an additional agenda. Cole and Schürrle certainly impressed their commander with their constant partnership in the match which was very productive for the team. The same hasn’t been found in the right side and while there could have been many reasons for that, Mourinho may have wanted a more objective answer. Ivanovic’s forte is his defensive skills – reason why he has played countless times as a CB - and while he isn't totally unimpressive attacking, he didn't offer on the right the same Cole offered on the left. The Spaniard full back is a different story. Mourinho used the player that was signed mainly for the right wing [Willian] and the full back that can provide him a more offensive partnership among all options Chelsea have in their current squad. While Azpilicueta seemed to have the freedom to roam around the pitch [he was replacing Oscar after all], most of his actions were concentrated in the right flank where he positioned himself ahead of Ivanovic. Unfortunately in the ten minutes Azpilicueta was there Willian didn't hold position enough to show to Mourinho if he could have the same contribution in the right wing he found in the left with Cole and Schürrle. Mourinho must have ended the day very happy not only with the result – that was vital in Chelsea's Champions League campaign – but also with the answers his team is finally starting to give him. There can still be some individual sharpness issues – especially in the finishing – but tactically the team seemed to finally carry on form and production from one match to the other and seemed more settled and comfortable executing his orders. Below you will find a detailed summary of all plays showcased, in the spoiler tag. Spoiler Data summary First half 0:38 – Fernando Torres tackles the opponent and recovers the ball [this tackle cost him the rest of the match as he got a knee injury in the process]. Ramires and Juan Mata touch the ball before it reaches André Schürrle who fails to complete the cross. Torres 5; Ramires 2; Mata 2; Schürrle 2. Team work and chemistry 3. 1:20 – Branislav Ivanovic wins aerial duel conceding a free throw in a counter-attack. Ivanovic 4 2:14 – Chelsea press Steaua from 1:27 up to 2:14 leading the opponent to leave the attacking half and go back to the defense half, eventually leading to a turnover, as John Terry anticipates the opponent . Terry 5. Team work 5. 2:24 – As Steaua presses and Chelsea can’t move from their defense, David Luiz makes a long pass that reaches Oscar perfectly. A sequence of quick passes is exchanged in the midfield between Oscar, Ramires, Mata and Schürrle, until the German cuts in from the left winger, passes by 4 opponents and shoots. The shot is blocked by the defense and Mata has the rebound, assisting Schürrle whose shot is once again blocked. David Luiz 5, Oscar 3, Ramires 3, Mata 5, Schürrle 5. Team work and chemistry 5. 4:48 – Opponent passes by Ramires entering the box dangerously, but Oscar tackles the opponent, clearing the ball away from the box. Oscar 4. 5:27 – Ashley Cole tackles successfully the opponent in the flank. Cole 5. 5:49 – David Luiz successful long pass to transition from defense to attack, but Oscar’s first touch is weak. Luiz 5. Oscar -3. 7:14 – Luiz clears the ball from the box with a header. Oscar offers yet another turnover, but Ramires recovers the ball. Luiz 5, Oscar -4, Ramires 4. 7:41 – Luiz anticipates his opponent, intercepts the ball, and draws a foul. Luiz 5. 08:07 – Luiz tries a long pass from the defense in an attempt to find Torres in the box. The pass isn’t completed because the defender clears the ball, offering a corner. Luiz 3. 09:16 – Smart exchanged between Oscar and Schürrle near the sideline and Oscar tries a splitting pass for Schürrle, but the goalkeeper is faster and anticipates it. Oscar 4, Schürrle 4. Team work and chemistry 4. 09:38 – Terry wins aerial duel, recovering possession. Terry 5. 10:06 – Ramires can’t control the ball and offers a turnover. Ramires -2. 11:08 – Lampard concedes a turnover. Lampard -3. 11:20 – Ivanovic successful tackle. Ivanovic 5. 11:37 – Mata concedes a turnover. Mata -4 12:41 – Schürrle concedes a turnover in the attack. Schürrle -2. 12:59 – Ramires and Mata press the defenders and earn a throw-in. Team work 5. Ramires 5, Mata 5. 14:18 – Luiz anticipates the opponent intercepting the ball, setting up a counter-attack. Luiz 5. 16:01 – Ivanovic clears a free kick from the box in an aerial duel. Ivanovic 5. 17:08 – Lampard anticipates the opponent clearing the ball to the side line. In the throw-in Ramires anticipates the opponent and recovers possession. Lampard 3, Ramires 4. 17:14 – Lampard concedes a turnover. Lampard -5. 17:23 – Luiz clears the ball from the box with a header. Luiz 5. 17:26 – Schürrle has a successful tackle, recovering possession. Schürrle 5. 18:41 – Ramires intercepts the ball successfully and starts the counter-attack that created Chelsea’s first goal. He passes to Mata who links the play with Schürrle, who advances in the flank and successfully crosses to Eto'o that has trouble controlling the ball, but somehow completes a pass for Ramires to score. Team work 5 and chemistry 5. Ramires 5, Mata 4, Schürrle 5, Eto'o 4. 20:00 – Luiz intercepts the ball successfully feeding a counter-attack. Luiz 5. 20:54 – Another long pass by Luiz attempting to find Eto'o in the box, who was marked by two opponents that were able to clear the ball. Luiz 3. 21:36 – Eto'o, Luiz and Oscar press the opponent until Oscar is able to intercept the ball and start a counter attack. Team work 5. Eto'o 3, Luiz 5, Oscar 5. 22:25 – Ivanovic anticipates the opponent and clears the ball from the box. Ivanovic 5. 23:18 – Luiz interception. Luiz 5. 24:35 – Ramires makes the transition between the defense and the final third, reaching Ivanovic who links up for Oscar to cross, but the ball is cleared by the opponents defense. Chemistry 5. Ramires 5, Ivanovic 4, Oscar 4. 25:31 – Luiz wins aerial duel in the midfield, but Eto'o gives the ball away. Luiz 3, Eto'o -3. 26:17 – Luiz anticipates the opponent in the final third, recovering possession and advancing towards the box, finding Mata who tries to chip the ball over the defense for Oscar, but the defense clears it. Luiz 5, Mata 5. 26:30 – Schürrle successfully tackles the ball inside box, and Lampard links with Eto'o that assists him back, but the defense blocks the shot. Team work 5. Schürrle 5, Lampard 4, Eto'o 4. 26:51 – Schürrle advances in the flank, making a 2-1 play with Mata and shoots at the end of the box way over the goal. Chemistry 5. Schürrle 4, Mata 5. 27:19 – Ivanovic wins aerial duel. Ivanovic 4. 27:35 – Ramires interception completed by Luiz. Ramires 4, Luiz 4 27:52 – Ramires interception. Ramires 4. 28:31 – Successful tackle by Terry. Terry 5. 29:07 – Mata and Eto'o exchange passes in front of the box, and Mata shoots to the goal, but without much danger. Chemistry 5. Mata 4, Eto'o 4. 29: 48 – Mata anticipates the opponent, links with Ramires that passes to Ivanovic who links with Oscar. The Brazilian tries to find Eto'o in the box, but the defense blocks the pass. Chemistry 5. Mata 5, Ramires 3, Ivanovic 4, Oscar 4. 30:06 – Mata anticipates the opponent after Ramires presses. Team work 5. Mata 5, Ramires 4. 31:23 – Terry anticipates the opponents inside Chelsea's box. Terry 5. 33:34 – Oscar wins aerial duel. Oscar 3. 33:50 – Schürrle advances through the flank, passing by an opponent and then by three more, finding Oscar at the edge of the box who shoots poorly. Schürrle 5. Oscar 1. 34:17 – Lampard wins aerial duel. Lampard 5. 38:52 – Luiz and Terry clear the ball away from the box both of which with headers. Team work 5. Luiz 4, Terry 5. 38:57 – Petr Cech punches the ball away from a cross by Steaua. Cech 4. 39:18 – Ivanovic wins aerial duel. Ivanovic 5. 39:22 – Oscar successfully tackles the opponent and links the counter-attack. Oscar 5. 39:47 – Sloppy pass by Oscar offers Steaua dangerous counter-attack, but Cech anticipates it. Oscar -5, Cech 5. 40:24 – Luiz anticipates the opponent and recovers possession. Luiz 5. 42:07 – Ivanovic clears good linkup by Steaua’s attack. Ivanovic 5. 42:25 – Successful tackle by Ramires gives Chelsea a counter attack involving Oscar, Mata, Ramires himself and Schürrle. It ends with Oscar’s shot going a bit too high. Team work 5, chemistry 5. Ramires 5, Schürrle 4, Oscar 4, Mata 3. 43:35 – Ivanovic clears free kick inside the box with a header. Ivanovic 5. 43:36 – Cole takes Ivanovic clearance and links up the counter. Mata gives a superb pass to Eto'o to go in the run. The goalkeeper blocks the striker’s shot, but the defender ends up conceding an own goal in the rebound. Team work 5. Mata 5, Cole 4, Eto'o 4. Second half 45:34 – Ivanovic wins aerial duel. Ivanovic 3. 46:06 – Bad long pass by Luiz. Luiz -2 46:26 – Long pass by Terry. Terry 5. 46:56 – Bad long pass by Terry. Terry -3. 47:27 – Successful tackle by Luiz at the edge of box and pass for counter attack led by Mata who passes to Eto'o to shoot without offering any danger to the keeper. Luiz 5, Mata 4, Eto'o 3. 48:03 – Ramires tackles successfully the ball offering Chelsea a counter-attack. Ramires 5. 49:00 – Luiz anticipates the opposition and recovers possession at the edge of the box starting the counter-attack. Luiz 5. 49:30 – Great pass by Oscar to Mata who runs towards the box and crosses for Lampard, but he can’t finish. Oscar 5, Mata 4. 50:30 – Luiz leaves the box to tackle the opponent and Ramires offering the cover, regains possession. Team work 5. Luiz 4, Ramires 5. 51:28 – Great linkup play between Schürrle and Eto'o, but Lampard can’t control the ball to finish. Chemistry 5, Schürrle 5, Eto'o 5, Lampard 1. 52:24 – Shaky positioning by Terry nearly offers Steaua a chance to score, but the opponent was offside. Terry -3. 53:57 – Successful tackle by Oscar recovering the ball. Oscar 5. 54:25 – Schürrle gets rid of one opponent and advances quickly towards the box. He passes to Oscar, who assists Ramires in the third goal by the Blues. Chemistry 5. Schürrle 5, Oscar 5, Ramires 5. 55:46 – Luiz anticipates the opponent and recovers ball possession. Luiz 5. 57:18 – Oscar wins aerial duel. Oscar 2. 57:41 – Two back heels consecutively by Oscar finding first Ivanovic inside the box and then Mata even higher, but the Spaniard is unlucky by hitting the post. Chemistry 5. Oscar 5, Mata 5, Ivanovic 5. 58:08 – Terry inside the box clears a shot by Steaua. Terry 5. 58:15 – Also inside the box Cole anticipates the opposition and passes to Terry to clear the danger completely. Team work 5. Cole 5, Terry 5. 58:41 – Opponent tries to chip the ball over Cech who recovers quickly making a good save. Cech 4. 62:23 – Oscar anticipates the opponent in the midfield linking a counter-attack. Oscar 5. 62:52 – Luiz wins a tackle in the defensive field. Luiz 5. 63:04 – Long pass by Luiz finding Eto'o in the counter attack with Eto'o who finds Schürrle. The German passes by two opponents, but the finish is poor. Luiz 5, Eto'o 4, Schürrle 3. 65:44 – Ivanovic wins an aerial duel, setting up a counter-attack. Ivanovic 5. 69:09 – Ivanovic wins aerial duel at the edge of the box. Ivanovic 5. 69:37 – Good linkup play started by Mata to Oscar, then to Ramires and finally to Schürrle, who couldn’t shoot on target. Chemistry 5. Mata 3, Oscar 3, Ramires 4, Schürrle 3. 70:33 – Ivanovic wins aerial duel in the midfield. Ivanovic 3. 72:02 – Terry anticipates the opponent recovering ball possession. Terry 5. 72:25 – Luiz blocks opponent cross/shoot at the edge of the box, after shaky positioning by him. Luiz 3. 72:35 – Cole loses aerial duel in the box, offering a dangerous chance for Steaua, but Cech saves. Cole -5. Cech 4. 74:26 – Ivanovic wins aerial duel in the defense. Ivanovic 5. 75:32 – Good ball control and link up involving all attacking and midfield players, ending with Eto'o finishing with a volley in an assist by Lampard, saved by the goalkeeper. Team work 5, chemistry 5, Eto'o 4, Lampard 5. 78:54 – Luiz anticipates the opponent and recovers possession in the midfield. Luiz 5. 82:50 – Ramires wins a tackle in the defensive half. Ramires 5. 83:06 – Ashley Cole intercepts the ball. Cole 5. 84:06 – Cole can't complete a pass, offering a counter attack, demanding a good defense by Cech. Cole -5, Cech 4. 86:24 – Sloppy pass by Luiz in the attack half gives the ball away. Luiz -4. 89:02 – César Azpilicueta anticipates the ball and links the counter-attack with Eto'o who links the play by crossing to Willian at the other side of the box. The Brazilian passes back to Lampard to score. Team work 5, chemistry 5. Azpilicueta 5, Eto'o 5, Willian 5, Lampard 5. Click here to view the article
