closed Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

[Yeboii 1,844]

2 hours ago, Henrique said:

This game is Conte first real test as Chelsea manager.

Ermm.

I think that was the game against Man City, which we won 3-1

[Jase 43,479]

5 hours ago, iceboy said:

Shame. If this happen. Conte inviting the pressure.

You've got to be fucking kidding me! We have 2 strikers fit and healthy and Conte wants to play the false 9 again? What is he trying to get at? For an Italian, he sure seems to be taking this approach far too often. Even Guardiola doesn't do it as much with City!

[communicate 2,703]

 

3 minutes ago, Jason said:

You've got to be fucking kidding me! We have 2 strikers fit and healthy and Conte wants to play the false 9 again? What is he trying to get at? For an Italian, he sure seems to be taking this approach far too often. Even Guardiola doesn't do it as much with City!

I don't read anything in that article that mention Hazard is going to play as false 9.

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, communicate said:

 

I don't read anything in that article that mention Hazard is going to play as false 9.

I didn't either and I thought it was just Matt Law writing rubbish but Guardian also reported that Conte might go with the false 9. So there may be some truth to it.

[Blusan Alamb 295]

Hoping for a respectable score.

[manpe 10,861]

Time to post the team I would like to see tonight (already!!! big night).

Courtois

Azpi - Christensen - Rüdiger

Moses - Kante - Fabregas - Alonso

Willian - Giroud - Hazard

 

Tbh any kind of midfield we put out is going to be weak. Drinkwater or Fabregas? At home I'd take the risk and play Cesc, he isn't that bad defensively but granted he's slow. When we recover the ball and he can quickly spread accurate passes up front then it will make up for it, Drinkwater is lacking in that department. I don't envy Conte, but whatever he does I hope he doesn't play Hazard as striker and keeps Cahill on the bench.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

My heart will shatter when I wake up to find cahill starting.

[communicate 2,703]

1 hour ago, manpe said:

Tbh any kind of midfield we put out is going to be weak. Drinkwater or Fabregas? At home I'd take the risk and play Cesc, he isn't that bad defensively but granted he's slow. 

I don't like playing Cesc n kante against Barca. Kante will have busy day stopping Messi and it will make Cesc cover the midfield by himself and we all know how slow he is. I will play 3 mod fab, kante and drink water. 

[manpe 10,861]

11 minutes ago, communicate said:

I don't like playing Cesc n kante against Barca. Kante will have busy day stopping Messi and it will make Cesc cover the midfield by himself and we all know how slow he is. I will play 3 mod fab, kante and drink water. 

With 3-5-2 we'll be toothless in attack. We don't really have ideal solutions whatever we go with, Barca will dominate either way.

[communicate 2,703]

Just now, manpe said:

With 3-5-2 we'll be toothless in attack. We don't really have ideal solutions whatever we go with, Barca will dominate either way.

For me at home it is important not to concede due to away goal rule.

[manpe 10,861]

For me at home it is important not to concede due to away goal rule.

Good point

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[Unionjack 7,531]

Has anyone else got a runny botty? I get so mucj more nervous having to sit and watch it at home than being at the game. My neighbours going to be wondering WTF is going on in here tonight! but theyre used to me by now lol

I just hope we take it to them and we get the full of swag Eden turn up. I would go with a 343 with Giroud and Willi plus a Kante/Cescy CM.

And please please please no fuckin Cahill.

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

The starting XI selection for this game is a headache. Do you go with a 3-4-3 and leave yourself exposed against Barca's diamond midfield (not to mention choosing between the slow Fabregas vs the average Drinkwater to partner Kante), or do you go with a 3-5-2, but bench Willian who's in great form?

Tbh I'm leaning towards the latter. I think Barca will destroy us in the middle if we pair up Kante with Fabregas/Drinkwater. Messi drops deep a lot too, so they essentially play with 5 midfielders. 

[Special Juan 27,439]

I reckon the English lion heart Cahill will start.

[bigbluewillie 1,859]

Just now, Special Juan said:

I reckon the English lion heart Cahill will start.

I fear me too

I dread to think that he will play Fabregas, Alonso, or even Drinkwater as well

[sainttourist 68]

I really can't see us overcome our weaknesses there. This season we always struggling against high pressing and Barca naturally pressing team. Alonso, Moses will sit deep and midfielders will have a hard time again. Hope I am wrong, this Barcelona is certainly beatable, but we need to play our best game.

[Strike 7,249]

2 hours ago, manpe said:

Time to post the team I would like to see tonight (already!!! big night).

Courtois

Azpi - Christensen - Rüdiger

Moses - Kante - Fabregas - Alonso

Willian - Giroud - Hazard

 

Tbh any kind of midfield we put out is going to be weak. Drinkwater or Fabregas? At home I'd take the risk and play Cesc, he isn't that bad defensively but granted he's slow. When we recover the ball and he can quickly spread accurate passes up front then it will make up for it, Drinkwater is lacking in that department. I don't envy Conte, but whatever he does I hope he doesn't play Hazard as striker and keeps Cahill on the bench.

Drinkwater. Just like the last time around when Ramires, Meireles Mikel and Lampard started in a packed midfield. 

I think a 3-4-3 leaving out Fabregas gives the team the energy needed to press Barcelona. That means the only one able to create is Hazard but it is a chance that Conte has to take. 

 

 

[Pizy 18,404]

Such a headache for Conte in terms of selection. Go 3-4-3 with both Hazard and Willian in great form and hope like hell that a midfield 2 of Kante and Cesc can withstand the pressure of dealing with Busquets, Rakitic, Messi, and Iniesta or go 3-5-2, sacrifice a bit going forward, and solidify the midfield. 

We can either go balls out and try to play with them or go conservative and somewhat cowardly to minimize risk of away goals. For me we have to go 3-4-3. Let's be honest, we probably ain't stopping them from scoring no matter what we do so we may as well have a go with our best attacking XI.

I'm praying that Cahill doesn't start. Absolutely praying. Azpi/Christensen/Rüdi is our best back 3. Cahill will be his infuriating passive self that he always is against top opposition. He just back peddles and let's his man run at him. He cannot start tonight. But sadly will most likely.