Strike 7,489 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 remember the liverpool 4-4? we came in and defended. it was 2-0 by half-time. We should definitely not defend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccioso 2,545 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
communicate 2,703 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 IMO we actually should play sI wonder how we'll go about the game. Will we look to defend and nick a goal and keep it tight, or will we try and blast Benfica out of the water and go for an early 3 or 4 goal aggregate lead? I think the former would be a far better option, Benfica are a quality side and no doubt they'll come out and attack from the whistle. We can exploit that and play on the counter, but I don't think we should try to out-attack them. Of course, an attacking approach will be the last thing they expect so maybe we should go all out for the opening 5 minutes to catch them off guard and hopefully score a goal before withdrawing and defending for the rest of the match.Huge tactical headache for me, thank god it's di Matteo's problem and not mine IMO We should play similar to the 1st leg, defend and counter.I am worried about their attacking power but their defense is very leaky+slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheva. 5,373 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 We have a 1 goal lead, we don't need to do any attacking Just try to contain them, and hit on the counter like communicate said, or through set pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strike 7,489 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 We have a 1 goal lead, we don't need to do any attacking Just try to contain them, and hit on the counter like communicate said, or through set pieces.v r at home...v shouldn't 'contain' them here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheva. 5,373 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 v r at home...v shouldn't 'contain' them here...Being at home has nothing to do with it imo, we need to keep them from scoring, do that and we're in the semi's.Just play a normal cautious game, and we will inevitably find spaces when they come forward in search of a goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strike 7,489 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Being at home has nothing to do with it imo, we need to keep them from scoring, do that and we're in the semi's.Just play a normal cautious game, and we will inevitably find spaces when they come forward in search of a goal.good point but remember liverpool right? We came in to defend and were 2-0 down at HTBut I agree with you. We need to approach this game, no different than the first leg. But we shouldn't get pinned down to our own half Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 We can't go into this game thinking about having that 1-0 lead and away goal. Need to treat this as if the tie is still 0-0 and where conceding a goal would be a disaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccioso 2,545 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Spot on, BM. We probably need to score a goal, their attack isn't as devastating as Napoli's but you can safely bet if they attack for 90 minutes we'll have trouble keeping a clean sheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhead23 1,147 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Forget what happened in the first leg as Bluemaster pointed out, play as if this is the final (which we need to do with every game) and more importantly keep the tempo up. The moment we go on the defense we tend to make lot of mistakes. So we should just keep the way we have being playing (baring the City game) and i m sure the result could be in our favor. As RDM has already pointed out, we shouldnt get complacent and that for me is the key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strike 7,489 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 what about the old guard? should/will they start?didi is mostly out while cole and JT will start. Lamps and Essien is the question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccioso 2,545 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 I don't particularly want to see Essien. Lampard instead of Meireles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strike 7,489 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 I don't particularly want to see Essien. Lampard instead of Meireles?yep...real leader in these situations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic weeds 446 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Miereles should start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Armour 4,439 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Anyone know who's on a yellow card away from suspension? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike 12,049 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Anyone know who's on a yellow card away from suspension?Meireles is, I think. He received a Yellow in Lisbon, so if he gets booked at Stamford he is suspended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jype 6,398 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Anyone know who's on a yellow card away from suspension?Luiz and Cole at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Freak 456 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Anyone know who's on a yellow card away from suspension?http://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/Europe/UEFA-Champions-League-2011-2012/team_info_overall/661_Chelsea_FCMeireles is the only player on 4 yellow cards, so he'd be in danger of being suspended for the Semi Finals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingEssien 127 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Anyone know who's on a yellow card away from suspension?Merieles, Luiz and Cole I believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase 43,479 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Merieles, Luiz and Cole I believeYup, those are the 3. It's stated in the UEFA Match Press Kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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