Real Madrid vs Chelsea

[MoroccanBlue 5,383]

5 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Disagree I think City have the means to suffocate us and will be confident with the way they've beaten us over both games this season.

Liverpool have played us 3 times this season - couldn't beat us in front of the kop against 10 men, couldn't beat us when going 2 up at the Bridge and we were very much the better team in the Carabao Cup. I think the way they like to play, gives up more opportunities and spaces then City offer. 

We need to beat Palace first but either of them are going to be extremely hard and we'll be underdogs.

However given the key injuries we've had this season, that wretched winter/covid, having to go off and play the World Club Cup and all the recent furore over being sanctioned and new ownership, I think 3rd place and the two trophies in the bag already is a very good season. FA Cup would be just that extra sweetener. 

We've evolved from last season, Tuchel is still finding out things about this squad and I believe there's more levels to come over time. We've become extremely hard to beat under him, we just need to improve that consistency and convert some of those draws to more wins now. Our season was derailed in December - we need to learn with City and Liverpool that we can't afford a run like that. The odd game is always going to happen but 4 or 5 on the bounce won't cut it.

We lost to City due to poor tactics and Lukaku being shoe horned in. They still found it difficult to score against us. 

Long story short, I am more confident against Foden, Jesus, and Sterling vs Mane, Salah, Jota/Diaz.

Edited April 12, 2022 by MoroccanBlue

[Superblue 6,372]

6 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

We lost to City due to poor tactics and Lukaku being shoe horned in. They still found it difficult to score against us. 

Long story short, I am more confident against Foden, Jesus, and Sterling vs Mane, Salah, Jota/Diaz.

As I've said in my opinion we're not far off either, it's some consistency over a tricky period and some real bad luck which has been the difference this year but we've made definite progression and one thing we have shown over Tuchel's tenure against all the top teams we've played (but especially those two who seem to be the measuring stick at present) that in those one off games against one another we can more than match up.

Let people carry on gushing over the two of them, we could do this summer with a chance to fly a little under the radar.

[LAM09 7,056]

17 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

We lost to City due to poor tactics and Lukaku being shoe horned in. They still found it difficult to score against us. 

Long story short, I am more confident against Foden, Jesus, and Sterling vs Mane, Salah, Jota/Diaz.

We've been the better side on all three occasions against Liverpool (two red card decisions go against us in the process), so I wouldn't fear them. 

[Mário César 1,280]

lets not forget that 2 years ago we're smashed by bayern 7-1 

we made a very good improvements.

 

[Superblue 6,372]

2 minutes ago, Mário César said:

lets not forget that 2 years ago we're smashed by bayern 7-1 

we made a very good improvements.

 

The team has definitely evolved a lot under Tuchel and that summers signings overall have proven to be hits over flops.

One of the biggest lessons we need to learn is to build on success when at the top though. Maybe new ownership and a bit more planning longer term will help with that but really since Jose's first tenure at the club the only summer I can remember us doing well after a big success the season before was after the 2012 Champions League and we bought Hazard, Azpi, Oscar, etc.

After winning the league with Ancelotti we got weaker and let a number of players move on. Winning the league under Jose we didn't strengthen sufficiently. Winning the league under Conte we spent but the buys were awful except Rudiger. And then last summer after the Champions League signing Lukaku has been a disaster.

[Mário César 1,280]

2 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

The team has definitely evolved a lot under Tuchel and that summers signings overall have proven to be hits over flops.

One of the biggest lessons we need to learn is to build on success when at the top though. Maybe new ownership and a bit more planning longer term will help with that but really since Jose's first tenure at the club the only summer I can remember us doing well after a big success the season before was after the 2012 Champions League and we bought Hazard, Azpi, Oscar, etc.

After winning the league with Ancelotti we got weaker and let a number of players move on. Winning the league under Jose we didn't strengthen sufficiently. Winning the league under Conte we spent but the buys were awful except Rudiger. And then last summer after the Champions League signing Lukaku has been a disaster.

sadly

at least I think that is the better team after win a major trophy since 2010

[Vesper 30,202]

Cesc Fabregas raves about Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea FC lose 5-4 to Real Madrid on aggregate

Cesc Fabregas lavishes praise on Thomas Tuchel after Chelsea FC's 5-4 aggregate loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday

https://www.thesportreview.com/2022/04/real-madrid-2-Chelsea-fc-3-cesc-fabregas-reaction/

 

[Superblue 6,372]

11 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Cesc Fabregas raves about Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea FC lose 5-4 to Real Madrid on aggregate

Cesc Fabregas lavishes praise on Thomas Tuchel after Chelsea FC's 5-4 aggregate loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday

https://www.thesportreview.com/2022/04/real-madrid-2-Chelsea-fc-3-cesc-fabregas-reaction/

 

Above everything else this summer, the new owners have to sign Rudiger up to a long term deal and back Tuchel. Give him an extra year or two on his deal, listen to him to ensure he has the right management structure above him, back him in the transfer market - Whatever it is, just make sure this man is happy and committed to work under new ownership. There is no question in my mind he can continue to evolve and develop this group and coach us to more trophies under his management. Complete class act.

[Stats 7,147]

Proud of the team. What a performance. Just a few lapse in concentrations proved costly. Either way, after that first leg, did not see us beating them 3-1 but we were brilliant. James was brilliant, especially considering he had that yellow from the opening few mins. Kovacic was world class again and because he isn't KDB, his performance will not be spoke about, however he was brilliant. His usual running past players like they aren't there and his general play was top class. Just love watching him. Brilliant player. Rudiger top class. Werner too. Basically whole team put in a good performance. Even was surprised about Alonso and more notably RLC performance. Thought he was solid. The subs were the only ones who failed to impact the game.

Still a lot to play for this season. We have been fighting far on all competitions this season. Literally been having a game week in, week out. Finish solidly in the league and hopefully seal FA Cup glory.

[DDA 9,941]

Felt really disappointed that we lost but now I've finished a shift at work and in reflection, I'm pretty proud of the eay we went down. Yea we made silly defensive mistakes but at least we didn't get our pants pulled down and not one single Spanish journalist can say that we play 'anti-football'. We pretty much dominated that game. We have to keep TT at all costs. I felt he made a mistake in not trying to defend the lead at 3-0 but he is honestly the only reason we were able to pull of a 3-0 lead at the Berna in the first place. I really hope we are able to make changes to the squad in the summer. I think given another transfer window and we could really start pushing City and Liverpool for the title. 

[Strike 7,492]

Hard not to dream at 0-3 but super effort. The lapses in concentration were also down to recklessly pressing high and tiring out in the game. This group should be kept together as much as possible - sign up Rudi and add new attackers. We go again. 

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Sometimes you need a moment of luck,they got it..we didn't. And that pass was stupidly good but hey ho. We went there didn't hold back and nearly got it done. Dont feel as disappointed as thought I would don't know why. Guess cause we won it last year and to do it back go back...

All about Sunday focus

[DH1988 1,348]

What an effort, let down by the worst 45 minutes under Tuch at SB, otherwise super proud of the team.

I am not the biggest fan of Mount, as previous posts say, but credit where its due. How frustrating is it that when Mount gets a fire in his stomach he performs like that?

I adore Thiago, how he's come into the club etc and there is no shame in being outplayed by Karim, I think we can all look at Karim and think THAT is world class.

[coolhead23 1,147]

Superb effort! Exactly what we need from our team. Winning and losing are all about small factors while few lapses & few things didnt go our way ... the approach was spot on, it always felt like we were in the game for the first 80 mins ... boy! to see 3-4 on the score board was something I didnt think would happen post our first game. But kudos to the players for giving it all. 

Would go out on a limp and say if we were able to keep this consistency throughout the season, we would had been on top of the table without a doubt. 

Well played, Chels! 

[Johnnyeye 7,510]

now that i have a clearer head after this heartbreaking elimination, i must admit that i would rather see Villarreal or Real Madrid win the CL than City or Pool, can’t stand them both, especially Pool.

[Tomo 21,751]

8 hours ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Mate, he really isn't. 

It was more a statement of how I really don't rate Pulisic but i do feel Callum has been denied chances to gain some momentum in this team.

First under Lampard when him and James were starting to look a serious pairing on the right flank. I went to watch the 3-0 Burnley game that year and the understanding between the pair was telepathic. I don't think we have seen them together on that side much if atall since which frustrates me a bit.

Then there's this year. Very good in the autumn only to be dropped after one so so game vs United (days after he destroyed Juve). Then at Christmas he is heavily involved in all three goals vs Villa and shortly after that his quality opened up the game for Ziyech to score that goal vs Spurs.

If/when he has another run like those examples above I hope this time we stick with him in the side a little bit longer (preferably on the right with Reece) and if he can't keep it up then fair enough but I feel he gets judged by a higher bar than any of our other attackers, Pulisic having a run of form like he did in the Autumn would win him an untouchable spot for months.

[Special Juan 28,141]

Thought we were fucking outstanding in all honesty. Yes we made mistakes but so did the referee, handball decision that has to change it's pathetic.

Havertz was also blatantly wiped out, but it's typical CL officiating again.

One of the best performances I have seen in 30 years of following this side.

[Johnnyeye 7,510]

our fate was sealed in the 1st leg unfortunately, i was really dissapointed with Mendy, that 3rd goal was indeed crucial, if it had been a 2-1 loss we would have had a better chance in the return leg, it was always going to take an herculean effort to knock out Real at the Bernabeu, but we managed to do that for the most part of the 90 mins, really valiant display by the lads, but as seen by the 2 legs, individuals errors at crucial times cost us dearly and when you do that against Real you will pay the price. It was a moment of genius by Modric to find Rodrigo it must be said, our carelessness with the ball was our undoing, that is all it takes at this level, can’t switch off even for a moment.

Edited April 13, 2022 by Johnnyeye

[nyikolajevics 2,700]

1 hour ago, Johnnyeye said:

our fate was sealed in the 1st leg unfortunately, i was really dissapointed with Mendy, that 3rd goal was indeed crucial, if it had been a 2-1 loss we would have had a better chance in the return leg, it was always going to take an herculean effort to knock out Real at the Bernabeu, but we managed to do that for the most part of the 90 mins, really valiant display by the lads, but as seen by the 2 legs, individuals errors at crucial times cost us dearly and when you do that against Real you will pay the price. It was a moment of genius by Modric to find Rodrigo it must be said, our carelessness with the ball was our undoing, that is all it takes at this level, can’t switch off even for a moment.

 

Sealed? Mate, we turned it around and we were 10 minutes away from making it into the semifinals.

Of course, first match was shit, but I'm rather angry we couldn't keep it 0-3 for 10 minutes.

[Nero 1,874]

I can't believe what happened yesterday. We should be proud but I am angry and disappointed.