Closed Chelsea vs Juventus

[Spike 12,049]

Win, lose, draw. I'm not too worried at the moment, I'm just appreciating the fact that Chelsea is playing a club with the stature of Juventus! Hell I can't even remember the names of the other two clubs in the group (no disrespect intended, I know there is a Ukranian team and Danish team), I'm just excited to play Juve. When the draw was being drawn I knew the moment that ball was picked up it had Juve in it, it was written in the stars (as Gary Neville would say). Juve have had some magnificent players at their club: Zidane, Platini, Trezeguet, Buffon, Nedved, Del Piero, Baggio, Cannavaro and an even more magnificent history.

Let's make this match a part of Juve's storied history by thrashing them 5-0.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

Win, lose, draw. I'm not too worried at the moment, I'm just appreciating the fact that Chelsea is playing a club with the stature of Juventus! Hell I can't even remember the names of the other two clubs in the group (no disrespect intended, I know there is a Ukranian team and Danish team), I'm just excited to play Juve. When the draw was being drawn I knew the moment that ball was picked up it had Juve in it, it was written in the stars (as Gary Neville would say). Juve have had some magnificent players at their club: Zidane, Platini, Trezeguet, Buffon, Nedved, Del Piero, Baggio, Cannavaro and an even more magnificent history.

Let's make this match a part of Juve's storied history by thrashing them 5-0.

Strange. We beat them in CL not too long ago.

[Spike 12,049]

Strange. We beat them in CL not too long ago.

I know...but what does that have to do with anything?

[nachikethas 1,154]

even barca cant win a match at bridge... we dont fear anyone bring on juve.....

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

I know...but what does that have to do with anything?

Just surprised you feel so privilege to play Juven. Nevermind mate, ignore me.

[Henrique 9,133]

This is a must win match for RDM. Otherwise I dont see him surving until December.

[SempreJuve 62]

I think that is a bit harsh.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I think that is a bit harsh.

Not just harsh but ridiculous. RDM is going to be judged on what happens over the course of this season. Not by one match in September.

[Spike 12,049]

Just surprised you feel so privilege to play Juven. Nevermind mate, ignore me.

I never said it was a privelege to play Juve. And I don't feel priveleged I'm just appreciating the fact this is a big fixture against a big club...

[Muzchap 8,966]

Not just harsh but ridiculous. RDM is going to be judged on what happens over the course of this season. Not by one match in September.

In real life - Yes

In the crazy world of football - hmmm not sure.

I dont think Roman will be happy with the Atletico match, we're not playing with any swagger...

Not saying its gonna happen, but don't be surprised if a defeat puts another nail in the coffin.

Fans have unrealistic expectations (look at me), so why would RA be any different

Can't wait though, think we will respond better in Europe, like previous seasons

[Jase 43,479]

I never said it was a privelege to play Juve. And I don't feel priveleged I'm just appreciating the fact this is a big fixture against a big club...

Exactly. And we wouldn't even be having this fixture had we not won the Champions League last season.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Feels like ages until this game. Just want to destroy these cunts.

[AndersonBLUE 819]

A bore-draw on the cards I reckon

[SempreJuve 62]

Feels like ages until this game. Just want to destroy these cunts.

You don't like us too much do you.

[Steve 10,227]

This is a must win match for RDM. Otherwise I dont see him surving until December.

I'd love to hear you reasoning for this. It's not like we are playing a team in relegation, we are playing the winners of the Italian league.

[Shulz 23]

It's true Juve did not play in the CL for 4 years but all of the players got international experience. i think this will not make much difference. They are my favourite team in Italy and by far the best, they only lack some proper wingers and a worldclass striker (we do too btw). Chiellini would walk in any team in the world and Pirlo makes theirs one of the best mids in the world (yes better than bayern whose midfield is not that good actuaalyy as schweini is not himself, kroos is average and martinez is overrated), def better than ours even though Marchisio is not better than lamps and vidal is not better than Ramires. Juve's squad situation is about inverted to ours:Their density in the CM and ST positions is admirable. Juves weakness is their lack of pace and qulity on the wings, which is actually our strength so we should exactly play that strength. Instead of a 4-2-3-1 which tends to be narrow and with Ramires winger , we should drag him back and play a 4-3-3 with much width and counter-attack as well as a well-stuck middle, where we have to limit space for Pirlo. Vidal and Marchisio will be full of running and all over the place, so if we have no Ramires there the immobile Lamps (who I expect to play)and Mikel will simply be overrun. But with Ramires limiting the space for the Juve midfielders, they will be forced into rather static one on one situations. Mikel and Lamps have better changes here due to their superior strength. Think a draw is a likely outcome would be really positively surprised with a win.

My formation:

Iva--Cahill-Terry--Ash

----------Mikel-----------

----Ramy------Lamps-

Moses--Studge--Hazard

I agree with your strategy, Rami should play a little in front of Lamps and Mikel in order to stay close to Pirlo. Hazard and Moses playing wide will be a real trouble with their speed for Lichtsteiner, Barzagli and Chiellini, a little less for Asamoah, that man is a beast. and if you can, tell RDM to attack on Bonucci, he's our Luiz!! =) He's good but sometimes loses his concentration. I believe that Juve's key player in the game could be the less-feared midfielder, Marchisio. he's great in insertions(don't know if this is the right word) and with Pirlo and Vucinic to assist him could be dangerous.

I hope Lichtsteiner will stay all the game on Hazard to limit his role in the game, on the second half could leave the job to Isla, we suffer a lot from players like him...

Most people people on this forum are intelligent and this shows through their posts. You're the negative exception.

lol so mature...

[kellzfresh 7,229]

We need to crowd the midfield to reduce the space for pirlo there.

team

ivanovic-luiz-cahill-cole

mikel - ramires

moses-mata-hazard

sturridge

1. cahill should play because of terry injury

2. lampard had 69% passing against qpr, horrible, should be benched. He is a natural attacking midfielder. Dimatteo is playing him out of position

3. moses in place of ramires should give us some energy in attack and he also comes back to mark the full backs (just like man united's valencia)

4. Torres walked out on the coach after a poor 80mins and deserved to be benched for that no excuse.

5. If mata is not playing, then oscar must take his place

6. Lampard played 3 games in 9 days, i think he needs to rest for sure 34 year old. Even scholes doesnt play this much.

Overall i think 4-3-3 will be best

ramires-mikel-oscar

moses-sturridge-hazard

This will shut out the space for pirlo better than only two holding midfielders or playin betrand at LW.

[Steve 10,227]

For me personally I would like to see us play a 4-3-2-1 formation. This will give us enough cover in terms of them playing a 3-5-2.

----------------Torres------------------

------------------------------------------

----------Mata------Hazard-----------

-------------------------------------------

-----Lampard--Mikel--Ramires-----

-------------------------------------------

I personally think this would give enough freedom to Mata (if not fit replace with Oscar) and Hazard to do there thing and try and feed through Torres, and will also give enough cover to deal with there 5 midfielders. If Ash or Ivan push up we will have cover in terms or Lamps, Mikel or Rambo if they counter. If not in this game I think we should at least try it, or go back to a normal 4-3-3 in which the players can play very well as we have seen before.

[Ankit 3,176]

I may be wrong but for all i have seen Pirlo in the euros and juve shirt, if given time he can be deadly but if pressed hard, he tends to loose the ball and sometimes looses in his own third. But i don't think that would be possible with Lampard and Mikel in the MF. We need ramires to close him down. Stop making him dictate the play.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

You don't like us too much do you.

I hate any club that's not Chelsea. Especially ones with as many cocky, deluded fans as Juventus.