closed Rennes 1-2 Chelsea

[Milan 17,835]

If we lose in Sevilla, there is no way of topping the group. That is rough, damn.

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, Johnnyeye said:

i just hope its nothing like the game at the Mestalla last season, we would have won there if not for Kepa. We need to be very careful, Sevilla players will use every dirty trick in the book, it's in spanish teams DNA.

Wouldn't mind taking the same result though!

[Johnnyeye 7,414]

Just now, Jason said:

Wouldn't mind taking the same result though!

you're right, but i would rather win there and secure top spot.

[Tomo 21,681]

8 minutes ago, different level said:

We should really come top of the group. Tough draw for the round of 16 is still possible but much less likely. Can you imagine we haven't reached a quarter final and up in CL since 2014?! I remember taking pride in us being the best English team in Europe back in the day, but in the past couple of years we kinda look like Arsenal did with Wenger, getting spanked just after passing the group stage. 

Last year I wasn't too bothered with finishing top as i didnt really fancy our chances Vs anyone of real note over two legs.

This year I really want us to finish top because I believe if we can avoid Bayern we have a huge chance of making the quarters and we desperately need a deep CL run!

[Atomiswave 6,072]

2 minutes ago, Johnnyeye said:

i just hope its nothing like the game at the Mestalla last season, we would have won there if not for Kepa. We need to be very careful, Sevilla players will use every dirty trick in the book, it's in spanish teams DNA.

And the ref as always will oblige no worries there mate.

[Tomo 21,681]

1 minute ago, Jason said:

Wouldn't mind taking the same result though!

Win would be ideal which will mean we can not play all our first choice team in MD6, that plus being out of the cup would give them two free midweeks.

Could be massive in such a season as this.

[Jase 43,479]

Just now, Tomo said:

Win would be ideal which will mean we can not play all our first choice team in MD6, that plus being out of the cup would give them two free midweeks.

Could be massive in such a season as this.

A win would of course be great but given the game is at Sevilla, a draw isn't the worst result. Moreover, if Krasnodar are already through to the Europa League or out of the Champions League by then, then they have nothing to play for when they come to the Bridge.

[Jase 43,479]

 

[Jase 43,479]

 

[Magic Lamps 11,449]

4 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

Just half true. Giroud can hold up the ball better than Tammy and win time. He is no use in pressing tho

[Vesper 27,310]

24 minutes ago, Jason said:

Permutations against Sevilla:

so lets smash those cunts

keep it simple

taking 2nd place like last year is not acceptable

it dumps us into the monsters too early

[Jase 43,479]

1 minute ago, Magic Lamps said:

Just half true. Giroud can hold up the ball better than Tammy and win time. He is no use in pressing tho

Think the point is that the opposition defence can push up against us if Giroud is playing upfront because they know he doesn't have the pace to run past them for a ball over the top etc. 

[Vesper 27,310]

I really hate Spanish teams (unless they are playing another EPL team)

I do not like La Liga footie

love the country though

great place to live and holiday

but they can sod off in football, lolol

[blu35_army 550]

28 minutes ago, Jason said:

Permutations against Sevilla:

if we can't beat sevilla,,then it could be reflection that we haven't make a progress in CL from last year. it's not important again whoever we face in 16's round...

[Vesper 27,310]

Just now, Jason said:

Think the point is that the opposition defence can push up against us if Giroud is playing upfront because they know he doesn't have the pace to run past them for a ball over the top etc. 

4 4 2?

Giroud and Werner up top

[Magic Lamps 11,449]

7 minutes ago, Jason said:

Think the point is that the opposition defence can push up against us if Giroud is playing upfront because they know he doesn't have the pace to run past them for a ball over the top etc. 

Yeah but the other attackers can. Usually one of the wingers makes the deep run after the long ball anyway

[LAM09 6,547]

Played with our foot off the gas for a lot of the game, but we got the job done & sealed progression.

Nice to have a squad with such depth.

[Jase 43,479]

2 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

Played with our foot off the gas for a lot of the game, but we got the job done & sealed progression.

Nice to have a squad with such depth.

Think the players were tired. Most only returned last Thursday, then had to travel to Newcastle for the early Saturday kick off and had only two days after that to rest, recover and travel to France for this game. At least the players now have 4 days between this and Sunday.

On the plus side though, the team least didn't collapse despite looking gassed after 30 minutes. Restricted Rennes to only half chances at best. Might have lost this game last season. And it's also nice to have a goalkeeper in goal for a change!