Europa League Final 2013 - Benfica 1-2 Chelsea

[Mufassir08 2,400]

its chelsea FC, have we ever done anything the easy way... i am pretty sure u wont just have to see extra time but pens too... i suggest u study now...

Yeah you are probably right

[pachman40 357]

Mate, you sure you understood my post? You say you disagree with me but go on making arguments that fit exactly what I was saying!

Anyways, agree with everything!

Understood, I was disagreeing with you saying Benfica fans felt the EL game was more important. For us, winning the league was more important. Obviously once we lost to Porto, the EL became most important but it's all good.

[pachman40 357]

No chance. Paços have secured their historic 3rd place and will certainly let porto beat them easily. They are located closely geographically and the majority of Paços's supporters are also porto's...

We have lost every hope in winning this league and are really devastated... It seemed impossible 2 weeks ago and now it weights too much...

I think that our fans have lost interest in this game after what happened. Everybody is in a depression-like state when it comes to football these days.

I just hope it's a fun game and our boys honor their shirt. See you on weds

Pacos have played Porto hard the last few games so they haven't been laying down recently, but I would have a little more confidence if they hadn't locked up 3rd place already. That said, I think most us us don't hold hope for the league. Oh wells, that's for another forum.

I disagree with you saying our fans have lost interest in this game. We all wanted to win the league but the game tomorrow took on a whole lot more importance after Saturday. If anything I think our fans have become more interested in the Chelsea game, it only makes sense. If Benfica wins the Europa League and the Portugal Cup it will still be a successful season. If we lose to Chelsea then that fantastic season we were having goes down the toilet.

[yuvala 2,167]

Honestly I've been fooling my self that this game was no big deal to me, to get to the game with low expectations .. I've been saying that it doesnt really matter if we lose I mean its "only Europa League".

But further thought got me thinking of us lifting the trophy, celebrating.. we really need it, the fans and mostly the players. They deserve to win something and feel that joy and happinnes, a season without a trophy will be pretty harsh on the new guys I feel.

[pachman40 357]

Soo many finals lost this year...

I think the main reasons are

1.) Half of team are players way past their prime and half of them are still raw talents. We dont actualy have one player who is in absolute prime age. Mata is close, but i think in age 27-29 he will master his passing and have more stamina (but less pace).

2.) No style, no tactics. What kind of play do we have? Possesion? Counters? JustWinItForRafa?

3.) Mentality, determination, finishing, experience, team-play,...we lack that.

It will be hard game, Benfica will play their socks off and we wont be as motivated as them.

I think people underestimate the importance of this game to Chelsea players, I don't think motivation will be an issue. I would be more worried about the central midfield and losing Hazard for the game. It's obviously not official but I would be shocked if Hazard played.

[Strike 7,474]

I had a dream that we lost on pens and now I'm very nervous about this game

Forever the skeptic.

[yuvala 2,167]

Just won twice against them on Fifa...

we're good

[pachman40 357]

What are people's thoughts on seeing Matic again? He would fit beautifully in the central midfield for Chelsea right now. I know he never really impacted Chelsea or got an opportunity, but he's been fantastic for us this season. No doubt Benfica fans miss David Luiz but getting Matic thrown into the deal on top of the cash was an absolute steal. He's probably worth 15-20M by himself.

Do people secretly hope players like him flop after they leave Chelsea or are they happy to see a former player succeed?

[Madmax 9,219]

Do people secretly hope players like him flop after they leave Chelsea or are they happy to see a former player succeed?

What? Never. I always wish great success to our #FormerBlues, except when they play against us, obviously. So I hope Matic has a stinker in this one.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Matic to score wonder goal (but chelsea still win) and that would be perfect.

Btw, how on earth benfica makes such deals like 25mio+Matic for Luiz or 25mio+Rodri for Coentrao...

[Changingman_2000 876]

They ran us very, very close last year and, arguably were the better team over the two legs. Going to be very, very tight.

[Milan 17,955]

Someone apparently loves gesticulating