closed Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

[Fulham Broadway 17,339]

Thing is you know what will happen, Baka will skew a ball smash it and he will score, or one will go in off his arse, and then get a run of games. Whoever 'scouted' , and whoever approved the signing should go to Specsavers.

[Iggy Doonican 4,186]

Just now, Fulham Broadway said:

Thing is you know what will happen, Baka will skew a ball smash it and he will score, or one will go in off his arse, and then get a run of games. Whoever 'scouted' , and whoever approved the signing should go to Specsavers.

Mickey Droy wearing flippers would have better ball retention than Baka FB.

[Jase 43,479]

Same ref who officiated the 2012 game in Camp Nou...

[Starman60 1,343]

3 minutes ago, Iggy Doonican said:

Mickey Droy wearing flippers would have better ball retention than Baka FB.

Ahhhhhhhhhh Mickey Droy Legend. Messi might get round him once, but the second time he'd try it he'd end up in row Z. Wasn't quick, but he didn't need to be. The sight of him put the fear of God into opposition players, and even his own team mates

[Fulham Broadway 17,339]

16 minutes ago, Iggy Doonican said:

Mickey Droy wearing flippers would have better ball retention than Baka FB.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micky-Droy-63-Futera-Chelsea-Football-1999-Trade-Card-C336/292004704894?hash=item43fcd6327e:g:KisAAOSw4DJYgJPn

[Fulham Broadway 17,339]

Giroud or morata?

Willian or Pedro?

Who plays next to kante in CM?

Rudiger or Cahill?

Does conte go 3 in midfield?

What worries me is the CM position next to kante. I'd go with Luiz, sort of game he'd excel in, or get sent off 

[manpe 10,861]

Giroud or morata?
Willian or Pedro?
Who plays next to kante in CM?
Rudiger or Cahill?
Does conte go 3 in midfield?
What worries me is the CM position next to kante. I'd go with Luiz, sort of game he'd excel in, or get sent off [emoji33]

Is Luiz fit?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Iggy Doonican 4,186]

16 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micky-Droy-63-Futera-Chelsea-Football-1999-Trade-Card-C336/292004704894?hash=item43fcd6327e:g:KisAAOSw4DJYgJPn

He had an electrical shop in Kensal Rise up till a few years ago I think he's retired to America. Don't think he set foot in Chelsea after he left another victim of Bates hating ex players. I saw him outside his shop a few years ago I was on the other side of the road I shouted '' Alright Mickey?'' he waved and gave me the thumbs up fair play to him.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Morata is faster and also probably very motivated to beat Barca. Giroud on other hand is stronger and somewhat experienced. Both have questionable finishing, but great headers. 

IMO I would field Morata, simply because on counter, he is more of a threat than Giroud. And I think we will play on counter. 

[Leif 6,006]

Giroud makes us play more attractive football, at the cost of many missed chances from himself before any potential goal. Giroud really knows 'how to play as a traditional striker' & he positions himself where you expect a good striker to position themselves, meaning some consistent hassle for the opposition (or consistently predictable runs, depending on the quality of the defence.) But, he might be our tied slowest player. Against Barcelona.

Morata brings 'luck'; a 'chance of anything happening' trait. Morata has less traditional positioning, and because of that, is more likely to interchange with Hazard, presumably meaning Hazard is down the centre more. He isn't as confident as Giroud at the moment though, and it might be that mentality is more important than intangible luck, or even skill & space.

Which tactic (or, striker we go with) sounds more likely to beat them this time? - My head & heart say Morata, my gut says Giroud.

[Leif 6,006]

I can easily see Drinkwater being this season's Cahill - being, an English player out of their depth, who actually thrives when in the biggest game of their life. 

I could also see Emerson coming in and being one of the most solid players on the pitch, like Bertrand vs. Munich. If our policy was

 

even more

gung-ho.

[Leif 6,006]

2 hours ago, FabHazard said:

The fact that our midfield options are Drinkwater and Bakayoko(injured) says a lot about the quality of this team .....Not to mention Fabregas with zero pace and defensive qualities....Our midfield is so weak compared to other top teams..

That's silly - without the curse of the gods, Barkley would be fit, and with him, our midfield turns utterly elite.

[Azpinator 2,325]

My gut tells me Christensen will score his first senior Chelsea goal in this match.

[Beigl 1,387]

Christensen and Kante have to be on their absolut best. If they take Messi and Suarez out of the match we have a genuine chance at Stamford Bridge. Granted, that won´t be an easy task for both of them. I also want to see Giroud starting, because I think his physicality can get Pique into troubles. As it stands now he is the better choice than Morata, who doesn´t seem to be free in the head. 

Also, I expect a big performance from Eden Hazard. Now he can show the whole world that he is a top player. If he replicates his performances from the games against Atletico he is certain to harass the defence of Barca. A win by 1-2 goals would be absolutely amazing. 

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

9 minutes ago, Beigl said:

Christensen and Kante have to be on their absolut best. If they take Messi and Suarez out of the match we have a genuine chance at Stamford Bridge. Granted, that won´t be an easy task for both of them. I also want to see Giroud starting, because I think his physicality can get Pique into troubles. As it stands now he is the better choice than Morata, who doesn´t seem to be free in the head. 

Also, I expect a big performance from Eden Hazard. Now he can show the whole world that he is a top player. If he replicates his performances from the games against Atletico he is certain to harass the defence of Barca. A win by 1-2 goals would be absolutely amazing. 

I don't think Hazard will be able to replicate that performance simply because i don't think the team in general will be able to replicate the performance they had against Atletico.

We had 50 % of the ball in both Atletico games. There's no way we're gonna have that much possession against Barcelona. 30-40 % is more likely. That means less of the ball for Hazard and he'll probably have to go deeper to get it. 

I hope it's not the case but i'm expecting a team performance more similar to the one we had against Man City tbh. Pushed back into our own final third for most of the game. Getting pressed like crazy forcing us to hit rushed long balls.

With Hazard and Giroud/Morata feeding off of scraps up top. 

 

[Leif 6,006]

Yeah, the way our team and their team are set up at the moment, it'd be incredible for Hazard to simply have a really good game. If he's average or below, there better not be any comments about it: I've seen Messi fail against us, Ronaldo fail against nobodies, and Neymar + others fail every week in Ligue 1.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

If the plan is to sit deep there's no point playing 352 - we have given up the ball and midfield anyway. 

Willian will be forced back to keep the numbers high but Willian is a boss at beating high press. Probably our best player. Beat 1 or 2 players (which he can in open field - especially against Barcas slow midfield - and the counter is on bitches)

[xPetrCechx 13,578]

4 hours ago, Jason said:

Same ref who officiated the 2012 game in Camp Nou...

we are done.

[Laylabelle 9,536]

Hopefully no one will have a JT moment. 

[kmk108 1,186]

3 hours ago, Belgiannutt said:

I don't think Hazard will be able to replicate that performance simply because i don't think the team in general will be able to replicate the performance they had against Atletico.

We had 50 % of the ball in both Atletico games. There's no way we're gonna have that much possession against Barcelona. 30-40 % is more likely. That means less of the ball for Hazard and he'll probably have to go deeper to get it. 

I hope it's not the case but i'm expecting a team performance more similar to the one we had against Man City tbh. Pushed back into our own final third for most of the game. Getting pressed like crazy forcing us to hit rushed long balls.

With Hazard and Giroud/Morata feeding off of scraps up top. 

 

That City match wasn't just down to tactics. They started out pressing and taking it to City until Morata was injured. And as the match progressed, they just didn't have the stamina after playing Atletico the Wednesday before.

On Tuesday, the players should have enough rest, and hopefully no one gets injured early.