Europa League Final 2013 - Benfica 1-2 Chelsea

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

[Magic Lamps 11,655]

and if things are not running we can bring German Messi or the deadly Benayoun from the bench...

Wonder whether it is possible to win such a game with a player like Torres as lone striker...

Benfica have far better balance in their team, but it consists of solid and average players, no real worldclass men...It is crucial Benitez gets his tactics spot on, then we got a chance... i feel, something is different than it has been in previous cup finals this season.

Can this game fuckin start now before I start to absorb transcendental vibrations to forecast this match?!

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

[Jase 43,479]

and if things are not running we can bring German Messi or the deadly Benayoun from the bench...

Wonder whether it is possible to win such a game with a player like Torres as lone striker...

Benfica have far better balance in their team, but it consists of solid and average players, no real worldclass men...It is crucial Benitez gets his tactics spot on, then we got a chance... i feel, something is different than it has been in previous cup finals this season.

Can this game fuckin start now before I start to absorb transcendental vibrations to forecast this match?!

Well, Torres did alright against Benfica in Portugal last season. Made a good strong run to setup Kalou's winning goal.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Not entirely sure if this has been posted, but apparently Frank has said that the team did not practice pens before the final: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/europa-league-final-chelsea-havent-1889255

No idea what to make of that.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Not entirely sure if this has been posted, but apparently Frank has said that the team did not practice pens before the final: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/europa-league-final-chelsea-havent-1889255

No idea what to make of that.

However, a thigh injury for Victor Moses means a late switch for David Luiz back into midfield, with Ramires on the right of the trio behind Fernando Torres

[CHOULO19 24,332]

However, a thigh injury for Victor Moses means a late switch for David Luiz back into midfield, with Ramires on the right of the trio behind Fernando Torres

Hmmm, I need to learn to read articles till the end..

I can't start to even express how much I wish that is false!

[Mustafa 885]

[Magic Lamps 11,655]

Not entirely sure if this has been posted, but apparently Frank has said that the team did not practice pens before the final: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/europa-league-final-chelsea-havent-1889255

No idea what to make of that.

There is always a difference between what you say to the press what one does in training and what you actually do. Jogi Löw says they never practice corners or freekicks in training. I am pretty sure they do.

Moses out is a huge blow, surely. Without him we got no useful options on the bench whatsoever...Ramires on the wing has never been a good idea this season. AS we got no real wingers a narrow formation like a 4-3-2-1 sounds a logical consequence

Defense

rami-Mikel(fit?)-Lamps

----Mata-----Oscar----

----------.-----------------

[CHOULO19 24,332]

There is always a difference between what you say to the press what one does in training and what you actually do. Jogi Löw says they never practice corners or freekicks in training. I am pretty sure they do.

Agree. I would imagine the keepers, at the very least, have been prepped for pens.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/14/frank-lampard-chelsea-benfica-europa

Some team news from the Guardian.

Terry, who damaged his left ankle in Saturday's victory at Aston Villa and arrived in the Netherlands with a pronounced limp and with the joint heavily strapped, made a bold attempt to prove he should warrant a place at least on the substitutes' bench by venturing out on to the turf as the squad trained at the Amsterdam ArenA night. But the centre-half, wearing trainers rather than boots, managed only one lap of the pitch with the fitness coach before retiring inside for further treatment.

Eden Hazard, who injured a hamstring at Villa Park, will also miss the game, as will Ryan Bertrand. That leaves the interim manager Rafael Benítez effectively left to select from a threadbare 18-man squad that includes Victor Moses, who picked up a slight knock at the weekend. Lampard will start and, as Terry's deputy, will take on the armband against the Portuguese having performed a similar duty in last year's Champions League showpiece.

Only have 18 players to select from?! That might mean Benayoun, Marin, Ferreira will all be on the bench!

[MAF 162]

Apperantly Benifica were cursed by a former trainer, and they havent won a European final since... I'm pretty relaxed.

[Jype 6,398]

Apparently Moses has picked up an injury. Benayoun to start?

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Apperantly Benifica were cursed by a former trainer, and they havent won a European final since... I'm pretty relaxed.

1962, Amsterdam. Bela Guttmann, the great Jewish coach of all time, led Benfica to maintain European title with a huge 3:5 Victory over Real Madrid, a year after winning 2:3 Barcelona in the final of the Champions league. After the celebrations in Lisbon, he contact the club president, asked to get bonus for the achievement. The president refused and Gutman responded: "I will quit and it will be another 100 years before Benfica will win the European Cup again."

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Apparently Moses has picked up an injury. Benayoun to start?

Don't even joke about that! Rami on the wing and Lamps next to Mikel in the pivot if that's true.

[Magic Lamps 11,655]

1962, Amsterdam. Bela Guttmann, the great Jewish coach of all time, led Benfica to maintain European title with a huge 3:5 Victory over Real Madrid, a year after winning 2:3 Barcelona in the final of the Champions league. After the celebrations in Lisbon, he contact the club president, asked to get bonus for the achievement. The president refused and Gutman responded: "I will quit and it will be another 100 years before Benfica will win the European Cup again."

one should always be careful with Jewish curses. Ours is a certain Yossi Benayoun on the bench, who is condemned to never win anything. Let's see which curse is stronger^^

[Manuf 1,448]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/14/frank-lampard-chelsea-benfica-europa

Some team news from the Guardian.

Only have 18 players to select from?! That might mean Benayoun, Marin, Ferreira will all be on the bench!

I wouldn't mind seeing Ferreira make an apperance.

[Manuf 1,448]

1962, Amsterdam. Bela Guttmann, the great Jewish coach of all time, led Benfica to maintain European title with a huge 3:5 Victory over Real Madrid, a year after winning 2:3 Barcelona in the final of the Champions league. After the celebrations in Lisbon, he contact the club president, asked to get bonus for the achievement. The president refused and Gutman responded: "I will quit and it will be another 100 years before Benfica will win the European Cup again."

no offence, but isn't that typical