closed Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

11 minutes ago, Chelsea Legend 11 said:

We started that game fine, the problem was we lost Morata early and were forced to change tactics. 

They were dominating us completelty with Morata on the pitch. The flow of the game didn't change drastically when he got hurt

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

1 minute ago, MrExcalibur100 said:

They were dominating us completelty with Morata on the pitch. The flow of the game didn't change drastically when he got hurt

I disagree... I was there didn't feel lopsided till the substitution 

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Just now, Chelsea Legend 11 said:

I disagree... I was there didn't feel lopsided till the substitution 

I'm not sure what the disagreement is. They were controlling the game before Morata got hurt. I don't seem to remember anyone complaining that Morata's injury cost us too much. They were totally dominating us with him on the pitch. 

[LAM09 6,772]

We started that game fine, the problem was we lost Morata early and were forced to change tactics. 

Him missing a sitter didn't help either

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

So these are Conte's options. 

(1) Play 3-4-3 and go with Kante and Drinkwater with Hazard, Morata, Pedro/Willian

(2) Play 3-5-2 and go with  Drinkwater, Fabregas and Kante with Hazard and Morata.

I'm going with option (1) for the home tie and option (2) for the away tie. The 3-5-2 has run its course at home. We need to go 3-4-3 and try and make a statement at SB because we'll get nothing at Camp Nou. My worst fear is that this could be a repeat of the Chelsea v Man City tie at SB earlier in the season. Conte has so far shown to have serious problems against possession dominant teams. He's already said in the press conference we should be prepared to "suffer a lot" which says something about our probable approach.

In Barcelona's last game against Eibar, they were pressed very high up the pitch relentlessly which bothered them a lot. Conte's Chelsea doesn't press. We just sit back. We really should consider a high press and 3-4-3 gives us a better chance to press them more efficiently with an extra body in attack (Willian/Pedro) than a 3-5-2. 

The 3-5-2 also means that defensively, our main source of width, our fullbacks will get pinned back by Alba and Roberto.

I don't believe Conte is going to start Giroud in this game also. He will likely be used as  target man to come off the bench and give us a more direct option. 

I just hope Conte knows what he's doing. 

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

23 minutes ago, MrExcalibur100 said:

I'm not sure what the disagreement is. They were controlling the game before Morata got hurt. I don't seem to remember anyone complaining that Morata's injury cost us too much. They were totally dominating us with him on the pitch. 

feel free to watch it again. There was nothing in the game until he got injured the best chances to score were Chelsea's as well...

https://weshare.me/5ffbe78392b5ee85/CHE-CITY_1st_half_ENG.mp4

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

I swear if Conte produces anti-football in this game i'm not going to forgive him. 

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

15 minutes ago, MrExcalibur100 said:

I swear if Conte produces anti-football in this game i'm not going to forgive him. 

just win baby....

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

17 minutes ago, MrExcalibur100 said:

I swear if Conte produces anti-football in this game i'm not going to forgive him. 

That or if he plays Hazard as a false nine and and severely limits our and his creative potential. 

[FabHazard 655]

According to mundo deportivo

http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180220/44943335595/noticia-md-once-del-chelsea-con-willian-pedro-y-hazard.html

Line up is

Courtois, Moses, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Kanté, Fàbregas, Willian, Pedro Hazard

[Alabama 1,992]

1 minute ago, FabHazard said:

According to mundo deportivo

http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180220/44943335595/noticia-md-once-del-chelsea-con-willian-pedro-y-hazard.html

Line up is

Courtois, Moses, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Kanté, Fàbregas, Willian, Pedro Hazard

please no false 9....just play a striker in giroud or morata...

[!Hazard! 3,394]

What's the point of Fabregas then? I'm looking forward to his long balls to the three midgets

[LAM09 6,772]

According to mundo deportivo
http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180220/44943335595/noticia-md-once-del-chelsea-con-willian-pedro-y-hazard.html
Line up is
Courtois, Moses, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Kanté, Fàbregas, Willian, Pedro Hazard

Conte is paving the way for his exit if that has any truth

[YorkshireBlue 3,123]

Just now, LAM09 said:

12 minutes ago, FabHazard said:

According to mundo deportivo
http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180220/44943335595/noticia-md-once-del-chelsea-con-willian-pedro-y-hazard.html
Line up is
Courtois, Moses, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Kanté, Fàbregas, Willian, Pedro Hazard

Conte is paving the way for his exit if that has any truth

If that is true I really don't think I can sit and watch the game.

[FabHazard 655]

Just now, LAM09 said:

13 minutes ago, FabHazard said:

According to mundo deportivo
http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180220/44943335595/noticia-md-once-del-chelsea-con-willian-pedro-y-hazard.html
Line up is
Courtois, Moses, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Kanté, Fàbregas, Willian, Pedro Hazard

Conte is paving the way for his exit if that has any truth

This line up can be wrong..It is just speculation....Fabregas in 2 man midfield worries me the most

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Pedro was subbed off early but that could have been so Willian could get his hatrick? Fabregas subbed before Drinkwater. 

I think Fabregas is likely over Drinkwater. 

Pedro/Willian I think it's a coin toss. 

He better play a striker. 

[FabHazard 655]

Hazard as false 9 confirmed 

 

[LAM09 6,772]

If that is true I really don't think I can sit and watch the game.

Enjoy the night off [emoji26]