Closed Galatasaray 1-1 Chelsea

[communicate 2,703]

Our defence did suck in the first half as I dont have an idea why Semih(ginger looking guy) wasnt on our 11 straight away. He is an impressive defender, the best of ours. You wasted such chances like Willian's poor attempt which Muslera head-saved away. Although we improved our game in the 2nd half, its not likely for us to win if our defence keeps making these kind of mistakes in Bridge. Still, I was satisfied with the way game turned out. It feels ballsy to make a team like Chelsea scared. After all it was an enjoyable one for our side. I suggest you having fun too instead of getting this upset; chill a litlle.

BTW what do you think about our players' performances especially Muslera, Telles, Melo(yes he s a dick),sneijder and selçuk?

To be honest I don't think Chelsea is scared, I was not even scared at all.

I was scared when we played against bayern in UCL final, that was what you called one sided game.

Possession does not matter, what matter is can you create good chances.

I thought Mancini was crazy playing high defensive line, in fact I think if our forwards played better (they were horrendous), we should be up by 3 inside 30 minutes.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

Torres was probably our best player after Azp, as soon as he was substituted we became toothless. Hopefully he becomes our starting striker from now till end of the season.

[communicate 2,703]

only reason we didnt score more goal is that because you parked a bus at your penalty area but you cant play like that at your own playing ground can you? cause if you do, it would be find very disgraceful even by chelsea supporters, so you gonna have to play like the way this game meant to be played

I highly suggest you watch our game against bayern or barca under RDM to understand what park the bus means.

[Strike 7,489]

I'm confident Chelsea will go through. At home, we're very strong. Won't be defensive and that will cause Gala serious problems.

[TrippingStep 336]

Completely toothless match by a team that seemed completely out of it.

The only positive I have from this match is Azpili having a great first half and Schurrle doing well with the minutes he was given. Everything else is a big disappointment and while the 1x1 isn't a bad result when you look at the great scheme of things, there's no way we shouldn't have left with a victory by at least three goals. But we never really wanted it, or we never really worked for it. Our inability to complete the final pass and our attackers being completely uninspired was hard to endure.

Which is why I can't be too mad at Mourinho for bringing bloddyMikel - especially to substitute our best attacker... How can you trust a team like this? In all honesty, I just can't and I think he doesn't either. He realized we were a fuckery fest, and decided that 1-1 was better than losing the match. His RM scored 6 on this team last year, so it's not like Mourinho is always conservative and looking for away draws, it's just this Chelsea isn't reliable, end of it. We can play like the top dogs in one match (City for EPL) and then as a second level team in the next. This team lacks consistency and then people think when Mourinho says we aren't ready he's playing mind games. I do hope we win EPL, but if we do, it just shows what a master of a manager we have and how ball-less and inoffensive Arsenal and Liverpool have become - even if EPL is the best league in the world (as I'm heavily implying if we win the title it'll be with a half-decent team, but with a magnificent manager, which proves our point that Mourinho - or someone of his caliber - is what we've missed the most since Carlo left).

City has a new manager just like we do and although they have much better players (in the attack), they also have a busy schedule and not so much depth in some positions, so while they're the favorites, they may suffer from the huge amount of games they're playing (although I suppose they might exit Champions League in the R16).

Now back to us and UCL... in theory a 1x1 away is a very good result, but seeing how unreliable and how bipolar this team is, I'm actually not so sure we'll make through R8. If we show this quality in SB - and let's not fool ourselves, we had some very poor matches at home this season too and scrapped some wins and draws while looking bad - I'm afraid we'll lose. It's not like I bother too much by it, I love UCL, but I'm not obsessed by it... But the danger is because they actually have a decent attack that was completely uninspired today. Gala sucks monkey ball, all of us can testify that after tonight, but they have very decent attackers and if we don't show up again, we'll be trading with our luck - which I don't know if it's that bad. Two less week-games for us could actually help us with the EPL title, and while I don't like to lose and I think we should beat Gala and go into quarters, if we don't it might a blessing in disguise.

What is no blessing is how this team is still very much heartless and powerless from time to time and while that was okay for the first few months, I do wonder if we'll really be that strong comes next season if we don't improve considerably. Our main problem is strikers, and I believe Mourinho gave the directors an ultimatum and we'll get better strikers - or at least one good striker and recalling Lukaku. Matic makes wonders to our midfield (I don't even want to comment on Rami-Lamps tonight), but in matches like today's when Torres was decent and the pivot wasn't good, but didn't compromise , it feels we lack attitude and a winning spirit. I don't know what are the mechanics of changing players into winners, but I hope Mourinho does. He's done it in the past, but we'd never know if he just awoke natural winners, or if he really changed regulars players into winners thirsty blood suckers... I'm yet to figure out what kind of profile of players we have, but some of them don't scream winner attitude for me.

The team seems already very tired, like the team was at the end of Di Matteo reign, just that we are more defensive.

The big problem we have is that we can't beat average teams without having to fight hard as our passing game and offensive moves are rubbish.

Last year there was some lacklustre performance but when we were pushing, we were often creating much more chances in 45 minutes than in two matches this year.

[TrippingStep 336]

I totally respect your point mate, but this is always relative. Barca's performance is soooooooooo boring yet very effective, and the fans don't care as long as they win. Real Madrid had more of a "dynamic", "enthusiastic" performances in the best years but they weren't effective and guess what the fan's were not happy. When a club is categorized as " World Class" the expectations are high. Much higher than the means by which they achieve it. Another point would be the type of players you have and the system implemented by the manager. Mourinho is a guy who is very successful and innovative in his approaches. Yeah sometimes he gets it wrong but apparently from his record in many clubs he got it right A LOT. Again what entertains people is different, but from my humble experience, when you get that win no body really talks about the way you played. Everyone celebrates and every one is happy. Wouldn't matter if you parked the bus and had 1 shot at the target and 30% possession or if you were all offensive with 20 shots on target and 70% ball possession. People only Really start deeply analyzing the game ( sometimes to a really exaggerated extent) when you lose or fail to achieve your targets. You think Italians really cared about their boring defensive style when they won the world cup? You as a Turk, did you really care when you advanced above group stages in the world cup? I really doubt. However you are entitled to whatever makes you happy. Again it is just my opinion on the matter

For me Barca performance under Guardiola for the most part was not boring. The way they were keeping the ball, creating space by quick passing and movements, this football is what I always imagined when you talk about great team.

[Cosmin 2,484]

Yes, you did, when you called it decent football and everything else is pathetic. I find decent football whatever approach brings my team a good result.

Of course you can have whatever opinion about what the team should be playing like, but if you don't support and cheer the team on after a good result, then you're not really doing your job as a supporter.

I said that a fan can ask things from his team, like decent football. I think if I, for example, ask my team to play decent football, it is pretty clear that the concept of "decent" that I'm talking about is MY concept.

Anyway, there's also the posibility that you think that what Chelsea have been playing lately is decent football. Specially against WBA or City in the FA Cup. In that case, I don't know what to say. Probably my standards and expectations are way too high.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Jose actually said in his interview that Torres and Schurrle were the best attackers but he had to take both off because Torres was exhausted and Schurrle had a yellow card.

That explains a lot. I was so dumbfounded when it was shurrle off and not willian

[DoubleO 192]

First 20 minutes were an attractive football from us, the rest of the game was more or less boring. Gala made a lot of easy mistakes in midfield which gave us opportunities to counter-attack. Shame we only got one goal, because we had plenty of good chances to score more. Defensively we were OK, even though we conceded a goal from a corner-kick, which doesn't happen very often. Still, the result is OK and we have the advantage to go through. Going to be an interesting CL-evening at the Bridge once again!

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

For me Barca performance under Guardiola for the most part was not boring. The way they were keeping the ball, creating space by quick passing and movements, this football is what I always imagined when you talk about great team.

Well any Barca fan well not find it boring. They would call it pure dominance which is a fact and I respect it so much. But someone who is not a Barca fan would argue that there is no excitement and that they would rather see a much more open game from both sides where there are a lot of opportunities created like in the EPL. Others would prefer a match where it is more individualistic and players have great dribbling skills and would take on 2 or 3 defenders like in Latin America. Others again might like a slow pace game but very tactical and patient building plays are required. At the end of the day we can agree that everyone sees the game from a different prospective like every team/style of play tries to win according do a system they are comfortable with. Barca has always been my favorite team in Spain ever since Romario, Stoichkove where there. Still are my favorite team in Spain. I kind of liked their system when Rijkaard more.

[bushman 2,043]

The way I saw it.

Chelsea side managed a draw. Mission accomplished.

Perhaps, lack of cutting edge we might say here by Chelsea again ? It was not the first time that Chelsea have paid for failing to kill off teams. The team had five chances & scored one goal.

Despite of it, Chelsea got a very acceptable result in a stadium where it´s difficult to play. I am happy with it.

Looking for Drogba to have the best reception of his life in London.

[Jase 43,479]

Jose actually said in his interview that Torres and Schurrle were the best attackers but he had to take both off because Torres was exhausted and Schurrle had a yellow card.

I seem to remember Mourinho saying Schurrle was exhausted too because he hasn't played a lot of games in recent times and that yellow card was just an additional factor in taking him off.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

Looking for Drogba to have the best reception of his life in London.

He has definitely earned it. Couldn't agree more. I respect than guy

[bushman 2,043]

He has definitely earned it. Couldn't agree more. I respect than guy

A standing ovation I would like to see. The tea drinkers should bow to show respect to him.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

CM = Kroos, Gundogan, Fabregas (I can dream. No chance though) or just stick with MvG (still don't know how good he is)

02

LB = Shaw, Rodriguez from Wolfsburg, Alberto Moreno (preferably the English guy, because of the coefficient)

02

CF = Diego Costa, Cavani.

02

Pick anyone from all 3 and this team is as good as any in Europe.02

02

What bothers me the most is the alleged "evolution" in style of play has not been evident this season. Perhaps if we can get a dream pivot of Kroos-Matic, that will completely alter the way we play football.02

If we buy players now, I think it should be people who are good finishers as well. We had about 6 chances to score in the first half and scored 1. Ramires and willian missing the best of the lot.

We need goal scoring player all over the pitch. That's why mourinho is so insecure about us. I was angry he took off schurrle for mikel yesterday and killed our attack but if you look from another angle, he was afraid we could miss more chances and lose the match in the end after everything. (Infact torres failed to square a ball for a schurrle tap in just before he was subbed)

We are terrible finishers and are poor in making decisions in the box.

We need another high scoring player behind the striker and to replace lamps in the pivot imo. Griezmann/reus are better finishers than everyone in our team bar eto.

Kroos/gundogan will not sky chances like ramires/mikel does.

Then we need strikers that can create for teammates as well as create a goal for himself by sheer skill.

We need a LB so that azpi will move to the right

If we get all these players, mourinho will be comfortable letting us attack because we will score more of our chances even if the opponent scores like he did at madrid. But as you can see yesterday mourinho realised we were missing a lot, then he killed off the tempo of match by telling mikel to sit deep. So that we draw instead of losing. If we continued attacking, we miss our opportunities and gala have drogba and sneider(chance scorers) to score theirs.

[Stingray 9,441]

You damn right we can express our dissapointment... I was less than happy with tonights performance.

What I hate the most is when people say.. 'we got the away goal and a draw is a good result so stop moaning'

Why the fuck would anyone be happy drawing against that Galatasary performance that had enough space behind the back four to hold Glastonbury in.

People adopt this pack mentality on TalkChelsea, like sheep.

I personally want Chelsea to be the best team in the world who go out and destroy teams 3/4/5-0. Not this piss poor performances that end up with us settling for a draw... and that's with 11 men on the fucking feild.

And because I say this I'm nit a proper fan? No no no... I'm not having it!

I strongly agree. I also detest people on here who derogate fans on that are not completely over the moon with our very substandard seceond half performance. We also have every right to that.

[TrippingStep 336]

Well any Barca fan well not find it boring. They would call it pure dominance which is a fact and I respect it so much. But someone who is not a Barca fan would argue that there is no excitement and that they would rather see a much more open game from both sides where there are a lot of opportunities created like in the EPL. Others would prefer a match where it is more individualistic and players have great dribbling skills and would take on 2 or 3 defenders like in Latin America. Others again might like a slow pace game but very tactical and patient building plays are required. At the end of the day we can agree that everyone sees the game from a different prospective like every team/style of play tries to win according do a system they are comfortable with. Barca has always been my favorite team in Spain ever since Romario, Stoichkove where there. Still are my favorite team in Spain. I kind of liked their system when Rijkaard more.

I prefer team play with individual qualities that is in control of the ball.

And in Latin America, there is a huge difference in style between Argentina and Brazil for example. Brazil have much better athletes and dribblers and can punish teams even if not playing that well (like the 2002 world cup) while Argentina and other south american teams will need to have the possession as they are in average slower.

I have a preference for Argentinian (well not under Maradonna) and spanish style of football. It's the ball who is moving fast not necessarily the players.

For example in the premier league, the pace of the game for me is so overrated. I have seen many very slow matches in the premier league.

[Fulham Broadway 17,313]

Just a note to the faithful that went to that cauldron.

Heard from a mate they were attacked in a bar beforehand. On the way there, there was demonstration ending in Taksim square, where cops with machine guns were herding people about. Inside the ground turks climbed over the fence and attacked some fans, whilst others on the side of the fence spent most of the match making throat slitting, and stabbing motions.

Carefree...

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Frankly, Mourinho doesn't get any stick when he should. He ran off De Bruyne, failed to get any striker worth a damn and let Mata go. It's no real shock that this team has trouble scoring because it's a team that has no play maker and no one leading the charge from the back.

This team needs someone to distribute the ball at all levels.

Hazard needs a break and some help.

[bushman 2,043]

Frankly, Mourinho doesn't get any stick when he should. He ran off De Bruyne, failed to get any striker worth a damn and let Mata go. It's no real shock that this team has trouble scoring because it's a team that has no play maker and no one leading the charge from the back.

This team needs someone to distribute the ball at all levels.

Hazard needs a break and some help.

If Mata or KDB were still on this team, would they score goals ?