Champions League Thread

[bushman 2,043]

They're in that hole because they haven't been competitive. If they get to the finals of the CL and win La Liga its a different story. Hell even now, a semi finals berth helps them immensely

Yes, I agree, it helps them immensely. Still, I have read, they need much more than some 40m they may pull in for CL & Laliga.

Don´t forget, Courtois is on their radar. That alone is 20m.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

He shouldn't play because it's the ETHICAL thing to do. The one that doesn't leave doubt for any questions and that should be UEFA's rule, not Chelsea or Atletico's decision. Too many interests crossing. It's stupid not to have that rule in the first place.

Exactly! What if he has a real stinker? the next thing you will hear is Chelsea bought Courtois/promised him a bump in salary on his new deal. Roman made a deal with Atletico... It just opens the door for too much speculation. Atletico have already GREATLY benefitted from the loan deal, it makes no sense for them to jeopardize the good relationship we've established by breaching the contract. Granted, who knows if they're even in breach, Gourlay said today that he is allowed to play not there is a stipulation in the contract stopping him.

[Barbara 15,149]

Exactly! What if he has a real stinker? the next thing you will hear is Chelsea bought Courtois/promised him a bump in salary on his new deal. Roman made a deal with Atletico... It just opens the door for too much speculation. Atletico have already GREATLY benefitted from the loan deal, it makes no sense for them to jeopardize the good relationship we've established by breaching the contract. Granted, who knows if they're even in breach, Gourlay said today that he is allowed to play not there is a stipulation in the contract stopping him.

but regardless of the contract. Respecting and honoring the contract is the honorable thing to do. I got both things mixed in my post.

Having this rule is the ethical thing. So if we don't follow the contract not only it's not honorable on Atletico's side imo, but it's also unethical. If there's no clause in contract it's unethical. End of the story.

We all know a lot of people have been trying to incriminate us and Roman for years, alleging we don't play fair - as far I know we do, we spent as much money as we wanted when there were no rules for FFP and now we're abiding to it.

It seems like a golden opportunity for someone with bad intentions to find the small breach they were looking for to harm us because nobody likes it that we have money, but also much more than that. Nobody likes our success and there are too many bitter people and people with interests of their own who may have a chance to open a process or go to UEFA to question all things involved if he plays and we win - which let's be real here, it's at least a 50% chance of happening, as I think - just I did with PSG - that the teams have sort of the same chances with us with the slight edge. I think we even have a bigger edge against them than I thought against PSG because what's at stake here is a spot in the UCL final, I'm not sure if that's not out of Atletico's league (mentally speaking). So there's a good chance we win this and if he plays then all sort of questions could be asked by whoever wants to ask them... Don't we agree sometimes about 'doable' saves? Some people think Cech could have saved some of the goals we've conceded while others think it's natural for a keeper - even his level - to concede such goals. It's too much gray for me to be comfortable and we all know we make a lot of people jealous, envious and bitter - and that's not only regarding fans and opposition players and managers, but also people in UEFA and FA.

Weren't we accused a couple of weeks ago of influencing Vitesse and not allowing them to win the league so we don't have a chance of facing them in UCL? What do you think they'll do if an unfortunate situation happens with Thibaut (who may be more nervous than usual not only because of what's at stake but also because the situation he is in) and then someone decides to open an investigation on our integrity? It's a MESS and a disaster waiting to happen. Even a blind can see it.

[silviupastean 135]

what players are suspended for the first leg besides Ivanovic?

according to http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/statistics/round=2000479/players/kind=disciplinary/index.html, Juanfran, Gabi, Koke, Lampard, Willian, Luiz, Mikel and Insua are 1 card away from suspension for the 2nd leg.

But what about Raul Garcia? did he serve his suspension?

[darrus 422]

At the end of the day, Courtois is a Chelsea player, and Atletico is the one that should be concerned. Not the other way around.

Not worried one bit about this draw:

1) Mourinho NEVER lost a game v Atletico.

2) 2nd game is at the Stamford Bridge fortress.

3) Mourinho already has a plan how to beat all 3 teams.

We're going to Lisbon. It's. Written. In. The. Stars.

The 1) is sadly untrue. They've lost in the Cup final last year.

But other points still stand

[LAM09 7,054]

I honestly think Courtois won't take any part in the tie. It could be because of several reasons floating around, but IMO; we won't face him. Ron Gourlay was very clever in his interview with SS today. He say "Courtois will play IF, he is selected". Looks like he is trying to make a point that AM will think twice about selecting him.

[LAM09 7,054]

I think the key to reaching the final is to score first in either leg if possible. Whenever AM get the lead first, they normally stay very tight and don't concede. That is the style of play we struggle against, and it has been evident throughout this season.

[duren batu 15]

@Barbara

I agree. I just hope if we win this match, there would be no match fixing issue because curtouis is our player on loan.

[Rmpr 8,977]

I love the whole pointless debate about UEFA or ethics or whatever people are having here!

At the end of te day, we will just allow him to play and end of story...

Chelsea is capable of beating Atletico even if Courtois!!!

[AswinR 96]

heard atletico has debt of about 400 mils...dont know if this is true...but in that case reachin semis wont help them much...

and as for costa, koke and courtois..... if they win the league it could swing both ways ...out for a new challenge or why leave an already big club!!

btw the next biggest thing would be torres returning to where it all began for him .... hes really a big deal over there...

hope he can score there atleast :|

[AndersonBLUE 819]

Don't forget Cole will be in for this game, Ivan is suspended

[cosmicway 1,333]

This thread is from 2012. We lost 1-4 (the European super cup).

We wait for the new thread.

Atletico were the easiest opponent on paper among the three - but I always expected them to lick Barcelona as they did.

It's a team I watched several times this season. Impressive most times but some fail performences too.

They are certainly not Barcelona of the best of days but better than PSG by a margin.

Like in 2012 I believe if we get through and it is Real it's going to be easy and less so if it is Bayern.

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

What a massive advantage would be if Gabi, Koke and Juanfran will get booked in Madrid.

Jose will have a plan for those three for sure.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

People want to be so 'politically correct' here that they fail to notice they're supporting something unethical.

If we created a clause it should be reinforced - if not by us because UEFA decided to be nosy about it, then Atletico should honor their own signature.

To the hell if he deserves, to the hell if UEFA forces us, to the hell all things involved. If they agreed to that the right thing to do is that.

Even if there wasn't such a clause, it's still an opening for conflict of interest for everyone involved (being an auditor for processes for many years, I'd never approve the lack of a rule prohibiting that). That's why I support the rule in the football associations. This opens space for shady business/interests and even if it's pristine clean, it could still raise suspicions. What are Chelsea interests? And Atletico's? And Thibaut's?

Not having that rule in UEFA regulation is already bad as it is. Anyway, I don't think loaned players should ever play against their parent club to avoid all that sort of issues, but the case we have a contract that clearly (or supposedly) has a clause about it, it should be respected, if not by legal reinforcement, it's the honorable thing to do.

Now it becomes a bargain chip to renew his loan contract or to easy things up to Costa signing or to leave a slit for UEFA investigate the match and decide to make whatever shady decision to harm us they want (it's in their hands to allege whatever stupidity they want to put at stake the integrity of all involved).

He shouldn't play because it's the ETHICAL thing to do. The one that doesn't leave doubt for any questions and that should be UEFA's rule, not Chelsea or Atletico's decision. Too many interests in conflict. It's stupid not to have that rule in the first place.

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.

[robdog 2,084]

I love the whole pointless debate about UEFA or ethics or whatever people are having here!

CFC never disallowed Courtois to play. CFC should receive the fee that the two teams agreed upon in the legal binding contract that both sides signed.

[Namika 922]

We have to score at the Vicente Calderon if we want to go through.

Hazard must be there (hopefully), it will be one of the biggest game of his career. If he wants to win the ballon d'or one day like he says every day he must deliver in these kind of games.

[Barbara 15,149]

I love the whole pointless debate about UEFA or ethics or whatever people are having here!

At the end of te day, we will just allow him to play and end of story...

Chelsea is capable of beating Atletico even if Courtois!!!

but that isn't even the point (being capable of beating them). We don't want to be investigated because of something stupid just because someone may want to demoralize or bring instability towards us and we all know they'll do with the smallest breach the tie may bring (unless we lose).

But I get what you and others mean (about being capable of beating them with him). I'm still against it and whether he plays or not, I see us in the final. As I said I think we have a slight edge (Mourinho, experience, players who've been there, doing it before in recent years) while the teams are sort of equivalent technically.

I think with La Liga still being so tight, with their lack of experience in this level, we're more (even if little) comfortable than them. It means little or nothing to some, but it made the difference against PSG imo and I can see it making a difference against Atleti too.

[duo11bluecl 207]

Just got home noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo we got the best team in the competition would have wanted the other 2 but ah well, hope we can manage a draw in 1st leg and just edge it in the 2nd.

[haranr 485]

Don't forget Cole will be in for this game, Ivan is suspended

That is not a problem.

[haranr 485]

Just got home noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo we got the best team in the competition would have wanted the other 2 but ah well, hope we can manage a draw in 1st leg and just edge it in the 2nd.

Best draw we could have wished for. We actually are equal to this team.