|
|
 |
|
After we came away with a stunning draw in the Nou Camp, holding the great Barcelona for the full 90 minutes and stopping them from scoring for the first time this season, the Barcelona boys aren't happy!
Toure, Iniesta and even Guardiola have been calling for more bookings and sendings-off - even calling the referee "deplorable". What a bunch of cry-babies!
Ok, so it wasn't our best performance, but surely they have to realise that we couldn't go to the Camp Nou, where Bayern had been dispatched 4-0 three weeks ago, and play our usual game - it would have been suicide!
What we had to do was dig in, soak up the Barca pressure, and then try and get a cheeky goal on the counter. This is a tried and tested game-plan, used by some of the greatest teams in the world (including the current World Champions, Italy), and even though it might not look pretty it still requires 100% concentration, skill and the ability to get tackles in. Something we did admirably.
It wasn't a dirty game by any stretch of the imagination - this was just committed Chelsea boys going into 50-50 tackles with their team-mates and game-plan in mind. A never-say-die attitude that saw them fighting for every ball.
Xavi complained about the tackles: "There were some actions which were clear yellow cards and not even a foul was given, and then [Yaya] Touré was booked for protesting. One team wanted to play and the other one didn't, it's a shame ... ."
Cheeky little Spaniard! If anything, the ref gave TOO MANY free-kicks to Barca, rather than not punishing us enough.
We had the best chances in the game - Drogba should have scored, and I'm still not sure how Ballack managed to miss that header on the hour - an away goal would have been SO glorious!
Quite how the Barca manager is moaning about a penalty beggars belief - Ballack barely brushed Iniesta and he went crashing to the floor, and yet Guardiola thinks its a red card!
"The incident with Ballack was scandalous," Guardiola added. "Andres was heading into the penalty area through on goal. It was a very clear second yellow." UNBELIEVABLE.
Message to Barcelona: STOP CRYING, PLAY ACTING, MOANING TO THE REF, WAVING IMAGINARY CARDS, ETC AND START PLAYING FOOTBALL!
Comments
 |
Posted by james rogers on 04/29/2009
not bad game for chelsea but they need to be more tactical in the next match. Barc should stop complaining.
|
Posted by Anthony on 04/29/2009
"Message to Barcelona: STOP CRYING, PLAY ACTING, MOANING TO THE REF, WAVING IMAGINARY CARDS, ETC AND START PLAYING FOOTBALL!"
Should it be the message to Chelsea? Let me remind you that Barcelona wore blue shiets last nite.
|
Posted by footballfan on 04/29/2009
erm... you are the one whining here. lol :P
|
Posted by hrischmann on 04/29/2009
start playing football? the way chelsea did it eh. we'll keep the team bus in the car park, thank you very much.
|
Posted by Haw on 04/29/2009
Chelsea didn't play football last night. They wrestled and synchronized dive. Barcelona played football. Oh by the way, im a Real Madrid fan. Thanks.
|
Posted by Varun on 04/29/2009
lol dude u make me laugh,Your first word of the article has a typo,great going,don't know how you are allowed to post this laughable attempt at ..i don't know what to even call this.
ballack should have been red carded because iniesta incident was a 2nd yellow card offense,Know your football baby.jezz what a noob.
|
Posted by Ade on 04/29/2009
Hey! Mr. whatever you call yourself, WHO SHOULD START PLAYING FOOTBALL?
|
Posted by chelsea suck on 04/29/2009
a perfect example of why england will never win another world cup..chelsea defended all game showing poor sportmanship in not playing the way football is suppose to be played..people pay to watch football not a team throw all there players in defence yet england are full of praise for chelsea for a poor display and they didnt even get the away goal..barca showed that they are far superior and more entertaining team then the kick and chase style of football we see in the premier league..barca will get the away goal and win the cl sorry but its the truth..
|
Posted by chelski fan on 04/29/2009
i feel disgraced being a chelsea fan. the players do tackle with e feeling that there is an evil intent. yet their excuse is commitment. i do remember the previous encounter where there is an intent to crippled messi and the way chelsea cheated their way to winning the encounter. i am disillusion by the way the player and fans act. they complain about diving but yet they are the worst offenders in the world. e boring gameplan and the great escape(lucky they didn't get the cards they so deserve)
|
Posted by Joel on 04/29/2009
A Chelsea fan telling another team's players to stop crying and play acting?
The words 'pot', 'kettle', and 'black' spring to mind.
|
Posted by eric 4rm k/mashi on 04/29/2009
barcelona coming to stanforbrige it's goin to be more cry for them becos d blue will surprise them for coming to standforbrige
|
Posted by Zachary Chooi on 04/29/2009
Without a doubt, worse game i have seen all season, no thanks to chelsea!
Barca to 'Start playing football'??? What a joke! Please don't tell me chelsea were 'playing football' last night.
|
Posted by Husain on 04/29/2009
You have absolutely no clue what football is mate. 200M pounds and this is the sorry state of affairs that Chelsea had to offer. I wouldnt be showing up in public to escape ridicule if I was a Chelsea supporter after last nights no-show.
|
Posted by michael mate on 04/29/2009
i agree totally,,, let them come play in england ,or italy and get subjected to such treatment day in n day out n we wil see whether they are such great players ,be it messi,xavi,iniesta ,,,they say bad tackles that aint nuthin compared to some man utd vs chelsea n manu utd vs arsenal matches,,they wud go cryin t their mamas if they to play in any of those matches,,they sud prob ask henry for1st hand acount he prob stll carry some bruises ;-)
|
Posted by Heron on 04/29/2009
I have to say, you think Chelsea is playing Football? Please don't make me laugh.
Message to Chelsea: Play REAL football.
|
Posted by trash on 04/29/2009
Your opinion and Barca is entitled to theirs. Chelsea will now get the distinction of getting a 3-0 drubbing at Stamford Bridge. For too long the futbol gods have let catennacio persist. Now, with the new boss in town...Chelsea, United and any other practitioners will be destroyed by the beautfiful game and thosewho elect to play this way-most noticeably, BARCELONA (and maybe arsenal to some extent)
|
Posted by bucho dela vega on 04/29/2009
u r for sure the dullest if not the most stupid analyst i ve met in my entire life...
|
Posted by JB on 04/29/2009
Agreed! Iniesta went to ground rather too easily. And it was good to see a yellow issued to Toure for "waving an imaginery card!" This needs to happen more often. Despite Xavi's comment he wasn't booked for protesting. Certainly Chelsea went to defend and stop the ball-playing midfielders but you could scarcely say it was a dirty game from them (and no I'm in no way a Chelsea fan).
|
Posted by Milan Blagojevic on 04/29/2009
Iam sorry, did you just tell barcelona to play football. Tell that to your own boys who parked a bus in the penalty area.
|
Posted by Nibtonton on 04/29/2009
Will the real Chelsea stand up at Stanford Bridge then? Good, 'cuz Samuel Eto'o and Barcelona will get them there. Having gone down 2-0 to Liverpool in just minutes last time, i am surprised u think Chelsea has the advantage now, because the return leg is at home.
|
Posted by Tank on 04/29/2009
The penalty was Bosignwa on Henry, Ballack's tackle on Iniesta was a yellow card (which would have meant a red). All in all, the ref shoulnt have given toure a yellow card.
Chelsea played a horrible game for a team that has the most expensive payroll in the world. No excuses.
|
Posted by Amar on 04/29/2009
Andy Thorton has no idea what he talks about. How absurd is it that he says that barcelona should start playing football???... Yo andy if your reading this then know that CHELSEA got owned! Barcelona outpassed chelsea to death and chelsea had to play a dirty game to keep the better side from scoring. You cant say it wasn't a dirty game. The clearly technically inferior EPL teams has to foul barca players to stop them. if chelsea plays clean they would be destroyed and obliterated. so they go to camp nou and play the dirtiest game this season. the referee was aweful. a lot of the chelsea tackles were yellow cards. And yes iniesta owned ballack...so ballack slapped him on the face. it wasn't fake watch the replay.eto flagged offside when he is clearly onside.. then bosingwa pulled henry in the box.
If you cannot play at barcelona's level do not say they are cry babies accept your inferiority
Andy Thornton is CLEAR FRUSTRATED by barca's superiority..
Chelsea is an insult to Football!!
|
Posted by AA on 04/29/2009
I regret watching the game yesterday as I am now a witnessing the death of football. Football the inspirational game,the game of skill, entertainment to both viewers and players has sadly transformed to a game of rugby. It is now a game where the one who kicks the ball furthest away or his opponent the hardest is a great player. The team which defends with their coach also between the posts is admirable. Lets hope that Barcelona, the only team which is capable of bringing back the joy saves this beautiful game.
Lets only hope.
|
Posted by andrew on 04/29/2009
u sir, are an idiot. i'm not saying the complaining is great, i agree they should just keep playing and let the ref ref. But if you think there were not a lot of fouls that should have been called that were not, and you are applauding this style of play from chelsea than you just don't understand the game at all. Congratulations chelsea, you sat 9 or sometimes 10 men back in your own half for 90 minutes, you got a 0-0 tie. You certainly cannot play that way at the bridge if u hope to move on and once you start pressing up a little bit and pushing men forward there is absolutely no shot that you can stop barcelona for another 90 minutes and once they score you will have to score twice. the fact that all you can write about this game is barca complaining and that you tell them that they should "START PLAYING FOOTBALL" is pathetic. look at that match, look at the 70% possession by barca and the complete domination, tell me which team is playing football and which is not
end rant
|
Posted by Joseph on 04/29/2009
I read your piece, i am a Chelsea fan and i am saying here that if Barcelona came to the bridge to play like we played in camp Nou with all the incidents that happened going against us, you would surely write in favor of us too, they have the right to cry and moan, why would Hindink to lie during the post match press that he is going to play an attacking game but all the same the players did what gaffer told them to do so thumbs up for the lads but let is not forget we have played ourselves into a very tight corner cos all Barcelona needs a draw of any kind and they are on their way to Rome...Joseph from Nigeria
|
Posted by Mo on 04/29/2009
Yeah Barca START PLAYING FOOTBALL! I mean really come on 6 games with 4 goals, 5 with 5 and several with 6 goals is just not good enough for the EPL standards!
|
Posted by peter on 04/29/2009
I'm not a Chelsea fan but I agree entirely.
Just look a Henry--he was always a whiner when he played for Arsenal but now he's turned into a diver as well.
|
Posted by maliki on 04/29/2009
I THINK BARCA DESERVE A GOAL THERE BUT U KNOW CHELSEA PLAY WELL TO DENY BARCA A GOAL BUT I STILL THINK BALLACK SHOULD HAVE WALK THAT WAS CLEAR OBSTRUCTION WELL DONE TO BOTH TEAM THE REAL GAME STILL COMING WHERE WE SEE IF CHELSEA WILL PLAY COZ LAST NIGHT THEY DID'NT
|
Posted by LAWSON on 04/29/2009
I am not a Barca fan, but Chelsea's display was a disgrace to soccer; frequently, there were 11 men behind the ball and of them 'bore-holes'.Ok all except Petr Cech.Chelsea were obviously scared to play, and this will be their undoing at Stamford Bridge as they will have to play, and won't kbe able to handle a rampaging Barca.
|
Posted by AKA HENRY on 04/29/2009
Lets go Barcelona Chelsea will suffer if they keep playing defense like idiots they should play football then will start seeing the destructive goals from FC Barcelona again Chelsea sucks.
|
Posted by clew on 04/29/2009
|
Posted by Ace on 04/29/2009
What is there to be proud of here???
Chelsea did nothing. Nothing but sit back and defend, if you had watched the game even only using half of your brain power you would clearly see who the better team was. Hiddink mastermind i dont think so man. Take your own final 3 words and apply them to your own teams philosophy because barca did their job. If chelsea did decide to play football where the objective is to score a goal and win, they would have opened up like a hole in the earth and conceded 3 or 4. Message to Chelsea: START PLAYING FOOTBALL LADIES!
|
Posted by Bolaji Ganzllo on 04/29/2009
We thougt chelsea are strong team from england playing attacking football and the coach even boast of attacking feast at Camp Nou. So far so good he defended well at Camp Nou, we want to see what wil happen in Stanford Brigde, may be those attacking feast he promised earlier will be fully launched.We love to watch good football and not one sided game unlike the first leg.
|
Posted by tiki on 04/29/2009
dude stop being so cocky. i agree though that the plan worked out quite well and the chelski players stuck to the task perfectly. there were a couple of free kicks not given
btw, dont tell barca to start playing football after seeing what you did at the camp (nothing wrong with it, its just really hypocritical.)
|
Posted by L on 04/29/2009
I think the game is quite clear as to who's playing football and who's not. Andy you're so obviously blinded by your blind loyalty to the club. It's obvious that Barcelona was trying to play but Chelsea so obviously was set up to PREVENT them from playing.
|
Posted by Syd on 04/29/2009
Do you really like Chelsea that much that you believe the nonsense you just made up? Barça said before the game that they were going to attack and they did because they know it's the only way to convincingly beat another team and to keep their fans happy and the neutral audience, too. Chelsea said they were going to attack and didn't. Now either that was Hiddink's tactic or they just failed miserably at their own game plan. Had Barça had a better day the outcome would have been 4:0 or something like that, but even on a day when they were below their best they completely outplayed chelsea, they had the ball much more, had more shots, more fouls against them. And if UEFA were true to their claims in supporting the beautiful game they would instruct their refs to protect technical able players from being kicked and pushed around all the time. Barça would have had two penalties if they did. Andy T., are you really proud of a team that left it's testies at home and playd like cowards?
|
Posted by Syd on 04/29/2009
I made a mistake there: actually it would be one penalty and one red card. (and one slap in the face for cowardice ;))
|
Posted by Carlos on 04/29/2009
Chelsea's first leg you can't say that barcelona need to "start playing football". From my point of view it was your dumbass who didnt watch the game at all. I think that Guardiola has already established that the second leg will be played with the same intensity, with that being said, you chelsea lads if you cannot play at barcelona's level do not say they are cry babies accept your inferiority.
Message to ANDY: You have absolutely no clue what football is mate. Learn to analyze.
Message to Chelsea: START PLAYING FOOTBALL
|
Posted by Deedee Ednews on 04/29/2009
modern day football is geared towards wnning silverware and not entertainment. chelsea are in the CL to win and irrespective of the tactic deplored at Camp Nou, they are on their way to the finale in Rome. I do not understand the cry about chelsea being defensive in their game, what do you expect them to do? allow barca to run them over 4 -0 like FCB? more over, a smart team knows how to pull the opponents out and create space to attack. barce should have played more in their half and drawn chelsea in thereby opening up the space. football isn't all about attacking, attacking and attacking. in the military, there is what you call 'tactical withdrawal' (attacking with the coconut), why didn't barca exhibit creativity with a naunced approach to breaking a resilient team. think about that.
|
Posted by Jon on 04/29/2009
Ummm for people saying Chelsea didn't play football, I'm pretty sure the two best chances to score came from Chelsea. You can lambaste the Chelsea defensive tactic all you want but if all Barca are doing is pushing forward it makes sense to defend and counter.
Additionally, I hope Chelsea better foul calls in the second leg. That ref might as well have been wearing red and blue. Barca were getting free kicks left and right but what about going through the back of both Drogba and Malouda on the edge of the penalty box with no fouls given?
|
Posted by femi on 04/29/2009
why did some people like to criticize. as a football spectator or supporter, u don't expect chelsea to go and play their normal football in camp nou where barca has never fail to score this season and where they battered bayern munich 4-0. they should concentrate more in defence which they av done to get the ever productive barca attacking force to nothing. mercy was marked down, henry was no where to be found and eto'o was eventually substituted. drogba would av even fired them and ballack too missed a great header, although, bojan too missed one. so forget about may be chelsea was dirty or not, man utd did similar thing last time. it's a game of football, there is usually home advantage and camp nou a 90,000 capacity stadium, it's not a joke. well done chelsea, i'm seeing u in rome in may.
|
Posted by Barca Fan on 04/29/2009
Hi I'm a Barca Fan and I think that our team deserved to be a at least a goal up. To be fair, Barca plays the beautiful game and Chelsea plays mordern day soccer. Lets face it.... in today's world, its results that count. The beautiful game does not equate to greater effectiveness, thus though Barca plays the more beautiful game, the Chelsea team play a more effective style to ensure the results.
|
Posted by Ibeh Stanley on 04/29/2009
The match has come and gone with lessons learnt by both teams for the second leg.
Manchester United deployed the same tactics on their way to winning the champions league last year when they met Barcelona at Camp Nou in the first leg of the Semi-finals.
It is still undecided but Chelsea look favoured with the injury to Marquez and the suspension of Puyol and then Barcelona will face Real Madrid at the weekend.
Let us just wait and see.
Till next week.....
|
Posted by neo.h on 04/29/2009
Chelsea committed 20 fouls last night compared to barcelona who only had 7. The only kind of football chelsea played is no different to that of prison football. Dirty, unprofressional and displayed an inability to match class with class. Is that what english football is all about?? Even liverpool, Man u and arsenal have more honour. When the catalans arrive at Stamford bridge on the 6th,we will give you blues a hammering you will never forget, don't forget, Barca are on top form this season scored over 135 goals already, more to come...we play a different style of football so don't expect things to go your way on that night just because u have home advantage...its barcelona we have the capability to unlock any defence and turn things around....just wait...
A barca fan with alot of faith.
|
Posted by Nelson on 04/29/2009
No match, Barcelona was the better side,Chelsea they were just playing defense and I know that in Stamford Bridge they are not going to play pure defense, so from there mistake Barcelona is going to punish them and we will see who are the crying babies
|
Posted by amir on 04/29/2009
im a Man U fan but for once, i'm with chelsea on this one. come on, barca is obviously the better team going forward but football is not all about playing pretty. tell that to arsenal and even man u. its about tactics, playing to your strength and adjusting your gameplan according to your opponent. week in, week out, thats what mostly happens when other teams play Man U and we aint complaining. so kudos to Hiddink for sticking to his tactics. its a shame that chelsea could not have been more adventurous but hopefully the home ground advantage would give them that extra edge and impetus to attack.
|
Posted by Muppet on 04/29/2009
Most decent people don't appreciate defensive football because it's boring and all it does is shut the game down. However, as one of the few crazy folks who actually appreciate defensive football, Chelsea played a match they can be proud of, against one of the most potent attacking sides in Europe, if not the world.
Threats were thwarted, Cech seems to have woken up from his prolonged concussion (abeit temporarily) and the back line - plus a few temporary recruits in the form of Ballack, John Mikel, Essien and Lampard - held themselves together to secure a vital draw.
While they killed off the 'beautiful football' by Barca, Chelsea deserve more credit for doing their job so clinically. Not many teams can claim a draw at the notorious Nou Camp, but they did it. The game is still wide open, however, and an away goal at Stamford Bridge could mean Barca heads to Rome instead of Chelsea.
|
Posted by ryan on 04/29/2009
Quite possibly the most biased article that I have ever read. Why is it that every english speaking website is so incredibly biased towards the EPL?
Why is there no article on ESPN asking how Chelsea could play such intense Anti-football after Hiddink vowed to attack?
Why is it that boring Anti-football is always praised as "tactical genius"?
Exactly how hard is it to sit 10 players behind the ball really?
Chelsea is a disgrace, their play yesterday is the exact reason that people label soccer as boring.
|
Posted by Charles on 04/29/2009
The game might not have been the greatest of all time, but at the end of the the score is what matters. No one really remembers who played well. Everyone remembers who won.
I love attacking football, but Blues did a good job.
|
Posted by ajax on 04/29/2009
AND START PLAYING FOOTBALL!
you surey mean, Chelsea should start playing football.
and yes Ballack deserve a yellow card, the ref didn't give it cause it would have been it second yellow of the game.
|
Posted by P on 04/29/2009
chelsea was too scared to play real football.... they saw what happened to bayern so they dropped 10 guys back and let drogba run around by himself up front... if chelsea tries to open things up at stamford bridge, barca will score 3 goals easily... the only way they can compete is to foul the way they have been.... what an ugly game... typical strategy of teams that don't have the talent to compete on the field with barca
|
Posted by kl on 04/29/2009
I agree with Muppet. It was great defensive football. Just because your opponent doesn't play to YOUR liking doesn't mean they play badly. It just means you gotta be more flexible to adapt.
That being said, Chelsea doesn't really have that big of an advantage going into the 2nd leg. Barca can score at any ground (although the odds of that at Nou Camp are much much higher), so Chelsea needs to be as resolute defensively as they were in the 1st leg, yet need to be able to score since the pressure is now on Chelsea to score.
|
Posted by bashar musa idris on 04/29/2009
I think u don't know wat u're saying or u didn't watch d game. barca played chelsea 90 min half feal with 515 completed passes as against 182 for Chelsea. & 67% of possession for Barça. Barça had 22 shots on Cech’s goal while chelsea had 7. Am sure u didn't watch d game but if u insist u watched d game. I conclude u don't know football.
moreover, Barca will go to england and beat d hell out of chelsea.
|
Posted by Daniel on 04/29/2009
First off, I think that CFC did some bloody bad acting on their own.
Barca played REAL football.
Glory Glory Man United!!!!
|
Posted by bashar musa idris on 04/29/2009
I think u don't know wat u're saying or u didn't watch d game. barca played chelsea 90 min half feal with 515 completed passes as against 182 for Chelsea. & 67% of possession for Barça. Barça had 22 shots on Cech’s goal while chelsea had 7. Am sure u didn't watch d game but if u insist u watched d game. I conclude u don't know football.
moreover, Barca will go to england and beat d hell out of chelsea.
|
Posted by Barca #1 on 04/29/2009
Barca played way better football than chelsea.. all chelsea did in all those 90 minutes was keep fouling and fouling.
|
Posted by Blaiso on 04/29/2009
Well Chelsea did put up a good show in the Nou Camp by playing more of defensive than their real game.That was not bad.But it should be noted that,nothing is not yet loss for both side.If Barca could put up a goal draw,then I don't think they will be the crying baby as someone mentioned.People are out to watch good football and not what Chelsea did in their previous match.They should be a team and play like one with all the good names they have.We look forward for what the return leg will be.I know this time is like a final and one team has to leave the competition.So may be we are going to watch a more better game and see who heads for Rome in the final.
|
Posted by Owen on 04/29/2009
There's one thing that's only subtly addressed in this column, and brushed aside as being mere triviality, but deserves a much larger role. Chelsea clearly are not the better footballing side. Barcelona is more talented, classier and play an aesthetic game that pleases the eyes of even their biggest detractors. While there is nothing wrong with waiting for a counterattack which is a legitimate style of play, Chelsea had no intentions of even attacking. Their only opportunities came off a terrible defensive miscue and a questionable free kick.
What Chelsea showed yesterday is that their side is not up to actually playing real football. The strategy they employed was something you would expect from a 2nd division team playing against a team that clearly outclasses them. It should be embarrassing for Chelsea fans to know that their team is "proud" of such a disgusting spectacle.
Only one team showed up to play actual real football, and hopefully the football gods will do them justice.
|
Posted by Greg on 04/29/2009
Chelsea had no success stopping Barca's potent rhythm until they began fouling in earnest, and especially not until the despicable actions of malouda away from the ball, which clearly should have drawn a card had the referee's assistants been diligent in their role of monitoring away from the ball. No fault to the ref there, malouda waited for his chance to pull a school-yard level stunt and assistants failed us. Chelsea, and this goes back to the Liverpool 2nd leg, are cheap and dirty. Only Michael Essien can be safely described as going in hard BUT clean. Especially the narcissistic Lampard and the bitter Ballack cheat the game of its worth. No matter, the likelihood of chelsea going through is still abysmal. Only a 1-0 would do it. And it would have to be a drogba special, garbage goal. Barca are no divers, they don't have to be, their pace and precision are just such that if you don't foul they will spin circles around anyone...ANYONE.
|
Posted by will on 04/29/2009
hats off to both head coaches. i believe the frustration is from the inconsistency of the ref. I personally enough a clean game, but a rough game can be played fairly if the ref clearly shows what is acepptable in the first couple calls. I think the EPL shouldn't be such a rough league. Just imagine how Aresenal would stand up to Man U if they had their full squad. Eitherway, one game determines it, just like the final. Barca have the edge, and judging by their passing and missed opportunities they clearly have a better chance to score.
|
Posted by Jide Agunbiade on 04/29/2009
u sir, are an idiot. i'm not saying the complaining is great, i agree they should just keep playing and let the ref ref. But if you think there were not a lot of fouls that should have been called that were not, and you are applauding this style of play from chelsea then you just don't understand the game at all. Congratulations chelsea, you sat 9 or sometimes 10 men back in your own half for 90 minutes, you got a 0-0 tie. You certainly cannot play that way at the bridge if u hope to move on and once you start pressing up a little bit and pushing men forward there is absolutely no shot that you can stop barcelona for another 90 minutes and once they score you will have to score twice. the fact that all you can write about this game is barca complaining and that you tell them that they should "START PLAYING FOOTBALL" is pathetic. look at that match, look at the 70% possession by barca and the complete domination, tell me which team is playing football and which is not
end rant
|
Posted by A tactical game on 04/29/2009
This was a tactical game and Guss won it.It was the same tactic employed by Man U last year, yet Guardiola did not see it comming. Barca needs a better coach to win the CL, maybe Ancelotti
|
Posted by p12 on 04/29/2009
I am an American who really enjoys the European game but that was about as exciting as watching paint dry last night. I would have been better to watch a MLS game and trust me they are tough to watch. I would like my two hours of my life back glad I didn't pay good money to watch that...I was really disappointed with Chelsea clearly they didn't want to play...My 10 year old son even said to me dad how come the one team doesn't want to attack....Football has a reputation for a boring game in the states and last night didn't disappoint...If that is what the best players in the world have to offer for entertainment then it is time to change the format....Bring on Womens field hockey the most boring sport in the world but at least the try to score...
|
Posted by Jonny wishbone on 04/29/2009
"Oh the great Barca" BURRO!!! Finally they play against a team who has a D-fence unlike the rest of La Liga. They cryed last year when they couldnt break down UNITED's D-fence. The EPL is a an all around better League!! COME ON UNITED!!!
|
Posted by leo on 04/29/2009
I didn't get to watch the game, and not being a supporter of either team, I'm not biased to say whether Chelsea were tackling dirty or Barca were diving at every opportunity. But I do praise Chelsea for their ability to adapt their tactics to their opponent's style. They knew the strengths of Barca and played to that, shutting down the best offense in the world. Just because they played boring, defensive football, doesn't mean they're not as good, or not as deserving of a win. As they say, offense wins games, defense wins championships. While it is fun to watch the "flashy" attacking teams, it is more skillful to adapt your game to your own strengths and the weaknesses of your opponent. Just look at the NFL, where the "flashy, attacking" NE Patriots lost to the "boring, defensive" NY Giants, who were able to adapt their game to win. And who cares what Hiddink said before the match; all that matters is what happens during the match. But I do think Barca will win at Stamford Bridge.
|
Posted by Daniel on 04/29/2009
Come on Andy!!! What are you writing here? Soccernet paid you to give absolutely biased comments?
Your BOSSES SHOULD see your column and rethink your employment, period.
|
Posted by Baran Cansever on 04/29/2009
Alright Chelsea did not play football yesterday. Barca's performance was master class and chelsea's defense was ridden with malicious challenges. Considering Chelsea to be a top club of the sport is an embarrassment to the World's game. Shameful display and Andy Thornton, who ever this schmuck is can go off himself.
|
Posted by Daniel on 04/29/2009
I have to agree with everyone here! Chelsea played like absolute cowards. It's not like they're a small-time team trying to survive against one of the big boys. They're suppose to be on Barca's level and be able to attack and defend. If most teams played like Chelsea, football wouldn't be the beatiful game, nor would anyone care to watch it. Grow some balls, Chelsea.
|
Posted by Bones on 04/29/2009
Are all Chelsea fans this obtuse? Did you watch the same game? I wouldn't wear the blue in public till next year if I were you. What an embarrasing attempt at "absorb and counter" football. Chelsea has no idea how to play that style, even though Jose Morinho practiced it for 3 seasons. The only reason it wasn't 4-0 is Barca shot poorly. Chelsea will be disgraced on their home field by a far, far superior Barca side. When will Michcael Ballack get it that he's NEVER going to succeed in England. What a clown he is running around and around. Hey Mike, NOBODY IS AFRAID OF YOU HERE!! He SUCKS. Bones
|
Posted by Black on 04/29/2009
i gonna admit i am a chelsea fan. But what is wrong with them defending 90mins in a game to get a better result? is there any rules that state a team cannot defend for 90mins? if they knew they play open football with barca in nou camp will be suicide and highly to get thrash, why would they do that and play like morons & get thrashed in the 1st leg? if other opponents defended like what chelsea does against them and chelsea can't score, i as a fan will blame chelsea for not able to break them down instead of complaining opponent stubborness to defend. After all its their gameplan.. if a team can't defend in a football game, what are coaches or tacticial for? the champions league are win by beautiful football, tactics, teamwork etc.. including tactics to defend.. if u wanna watch beautiful football in every match, go watch the brazilian league thx.. cannot understand all the negative comment.. -_-".. its only football...
|
Posted by ubaldo on 04/29/2009
it wasnt barca's nite. still they dominated the posession. barcelona had more scoring chances. i have bad news for you chelsea fans or premier league supporters, barca is going to teach english clubs how to play real football, not no kick ball that all english teams play, thats no soccer. just wait until next week. barca will beat chelsea then beat man united to be europes best team of all time...
|
Posted by Neutral on 04/29/2009
How can any of you say this was a poor game?? Both teams were playing football. DEFENSE is part of the game. Kudos to Chelsea for going to the Nou Camp and coming away with a draw and kudos to Barca for attacking as they should. To say Chelsea didnt play football is absurd. The clearly played phenomenal football because they contained the best attack force on the planet. Diving is part of the game and will happen on both sides of the ball, like it or not. The Ref did an excellent job at letting play continue. Barca fans should not complain that there were too few cards, when they admittedly want play to continue for their fluid attack. This is a great set up going into the final leg!
|
Posted by alex on 04/29/2009
Im a definite Man Utd supporter but I dont hate on the Blues because they got some good players. But I just want to say they played that game very good held their ground and didnt allow anything. I wish it would have been more than a one sided game but Chelsea went to tie and they did that. Barce you guys are a bunch of cry babies every lil foul! you looked like my u-16's crying for every foul. Man Utd and Chelsea will meet again!! lol
|
Posted by slash rose on 04/29/2009
terrible post.....i am all for the fans bloggin and posting their thoughts...but for christ sakes....some objectivity dude!!!
i hope after you have read all the above comments....you would realize that you do not know football...and you shouldnt never ever ever ever write again.
|
Posted by Roro on 04/29/2009
Chelsea showed they are not ready, bottom line. Barca should have scored. Specially when they pulled down Henry in front of the goal. Don't worry, Barca will get theirs through away goals next week. English futbol has improved, but not at the Barca level, sorry people.
|
Posted by Miguel on 04/29/2009
you just got dominated... rightly so...
|
Posted by Kevin on 04/29/2009
This a joke, if chelsea think they accomplished anything was just proving how pathetic the premier league really is. They were even more pathetic than Manchester last season. At least prove your worth, but for a whole 90 mins nothing? I just shake my head at this league. Manchester couldn't even beat Villareal FOUR times. It took another team similar to Barcelona (arsenal) to beat them.
|
Posted by alex on 04/29/2009
I want to seee how the next game is going to be planned out by hiddink. He can go oiut and defend himself and barsa will get that away goal. Barsa is just too strong. Messi Eto and Henry have just been an unstoppable trio. 90 goals between them 3 wow!!!! You have to give it up to barsa played sevilla last tuesday, played valencia saturday, chelsea tuesday, saturday el clasico vs madrid, then chelsea wednesday and villareal the following weekend. Man thats a tough schedule. As for cry n moaning when your getting hit thourghout the whole game off course your going to complain. After watching the game ballack and alex should of been carded. The ref was way off with his calls. For all those barsa haters messi is the mvp and well see it when barsa plays Man U in the champions final.
|
Posted by BARCELONA FAN on 04/29/2009
Im a barcelona fan and a chelsea fan,but i am ashamed on how chelsea played on the first leg. Barcelona played clean and chelsea just defended all through the game and that is not chelsea. Barcelona is right to be unhappy it was a dirty tactic by chelsea. on the second leg barcelona is going to attack and chelsea has no choice but to do the same and we will see who goes to rome. BARCELONA IS IN THE FINALS 100%
|
Posted by Harlan on 04/29/2009
Barca scored 0 goals at home for the first time all season. And there were plenty of fouls not called on both sides.
Like someone said above...I didn't see Chelsea out there with Cricket bats. If you're such a great attacking club, figure out how to beat that defense. Simple as that. Barca didn't...the game was a draw. That's the way it goes. It may not be pretty, but the score was 0-0. Sour grapes Barca.
|
Posted by haha on 04/29/2009
when it comes down to it chelsea held your best team to 0 on their own turf. you can piss and moan about it all you want, but the score speaks for itself.
|
Posted by HELENA on 04/29/2009
|
Posted by barcelona & chelsea fan. on 04/29/2009
to all those ppl that say chelsea didn't play real football are idiots. I don't like when teams play the way they did but it would've been suicide to go to Nou camp and play an attacking game. Chelsea have a good attacking team but they don't have the fire power Barca has. Barca has THE best player in the world in Lionel Messi so they're best bet was to defend, disrupt and counter attack. I would love to have seen these two teams in the final and then i think we would see both teams really let loose. All great teams need that solid defence or defender. I'm a big fan of the attacking teams but Barca are missing that key old school enforcer in the midfield and thats what Chelsea may use to beat them. Barca has the edge in midfield and in the strikers but Chelsea does have the physical edge so both teams have to use their best asset.
|
Posted by me on 04/29/2009
dude...
for real? a chelsea fan complaining about DIVING?! have you not SEEN a chelsea match recently? drogba, possibly one of the most athletic players on the field romping around and then THROWING himself on to the pitch begging for a free-kick or a penalty? (except when he scores, then 5-6 teammates jump on him and he carries them around)... you can't even look at the man with him complaining about a foul. your team (assuming you watched the match at all) simply received a dose of what it hands out week in and week out.
i will grant you that chelsea played a halfway decent, if overly physical defensive game. offensive players dissappeared, namely diving didier drogba, essien and lampard.
i kindly suggest that you limit your future comments to those somewhat within the realm of reality, and take a more objective view of your team and the sport being played.
|
Posted by sahiv on 04/29/2009
Bull shit what are these chelsea fan talking about. To football to prosper one has to play it beautifully. Isn't the eloquence of soccer made it get its name of beautiful sports. Infact only arsenal and chelsea deserved to be in the semifinal. Manchester were pathetic last round. They were horrible in first leg, clearly inferior to porto. If it wasn't for defensive mistakes made by porto they would have been knocked out. In second they approached sit back and attack technique. There was no innovation in part of manchester except for the goal. No wonder torres feels that it is easier to score in Epl. In semifinal I hoped that english team (excluding arsenal) would step up their game but my expectation were all shattered by inferior display of chelsea. Mark my words if chelsea open up next leg then they will be disqualified. They are inferior in barcelona every sense. Infact they cowards, hoping that drogba somehow gets the goal,and they can win by sitting back. Hala beautiful soccer
|
Posted by Jacob on 04/29/2009
Anyone is comparing Chelsea to Bayern is being stupid. Bayern just fired their coach. The fact is Chelsea has the best defense in the Champions League. Barca can't beat it. Anyone who thinks Barca is going to win at Stamford Bridge is crazy. Barcelona flat out sucks at the Bridge. Plus Barca will be without Marquez and Puyol, which makes their bad defense look even worse.
|
Posted by ALEJANDRO on 04/29/2009
Barcelona is the best team in the world, but sometimes play offensive it's not enough to win titles, Holland is a good example, But Barcelona play same football in Spain, France, Germany, italy and will win in England next week
|
Posted by Rok on 04/29/2009
Chelsea is a bunch of guys waiting in the area kicking it out with 11 inside the box...that is the basic philosophy of English futbol, ugly ugly ugly... I am ashamed of what futbol has gotten too over there...
|
Posted by pork on 04/29/2009
next soccernet staff, please scrutinise the contents of ur corresponents more carefully before you even allow them to post such rubbish on your site and not to mention linking this awful excuse of a post match analysis on the homepage of soccernet.com. i seriously felt so sick to my stomach seeing how such one-sided and shameless trash is allowed to be posted onto soccernet.
|
Posted by Victor on 04/29/2009
Do you get paid to write?? How does ESPN post your articles???
|
Posted by Ya dont say on 04/29/2009
Oh Andy, how wrong you are. FC Barcelona overpowered Chelsea in oh-so-many ways that the only viable exit for the blues to finish the match with the best result possible was by parking a bus of players in front of Cech and cutting the legs off any player that dared approach the area. Yes, perhaps it was the tactic to follow considering the circumstances, laying back in defense and all, but you have to admit that there were a couple of players out there that deserved a little more punishment from the ref. The fact is that many of them were Chelsea players. Ballack for one, Lampard for another and even Malouda, who was constantly whining and moaning as you are now. Why? Because Barca was infinitely better. Malouda had no idea of what to do without the ball, and every time he tried to get it he was completely obliterated by a mighty Alves. Despite his great performance, it is Alves who maybe and just maybe deserved a smack across the face for being theatrical... At least on FCBs side.
|
Posted by AB on 04/29/2009
For u losers complainin that chelsea played lik crap then u r sadly mistaken...keepin a clean sheet against a team which has scored in every home game this season is no ordinary achievement...to chelsea's credit they kept the likes of henry,messi and eto'o out of the game...any other team wud hav scuccumbed to the pressure applied by barca...noone complains dat manu did the same thing last year and scraped thru to the final...u guys will c the true chelsea at stamford bridge and that will definitely be a cracker...but it was really stupid to tell barca to play football...that was really dumb...btw i am a chelsea fan..
|
Posted by Danny on 04/29/2009
I am entirely neutral when it came to this game and yet i completely disagree with you. The referee let too much go. Ballack could easily have had a second yellow, and not to mention Henry trying an off balance shot was tugged to the floor inside the box... You should try writing these from a more neutral standpoint it might help you not sound so blatantly uncaring of the facts of the game and the opinions of others.
|
Posted by chinasa on 04/29/2009
Football this days has gone beyond playing fansy and sweettest game passin ball around and drembling, if u play fansy game and after 90minis your team lost & ur fans commit suicde or rather do worser than that what gain playing fansy than wining,& remeber the only team that will be remebered in future is the team that won not the team that play good,fanssy, sweet game. CHELSAE DONE WELL FOR THEMSELVES & THAT IS WHAT FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT KEEPING YOUR TEAM ON THE RACE.
|
Posted by k fernandez on 04/29/2009
as i see it, chelsea did a great job in defending. if it wasnt that, barca would've scored. vice versa
|
Posted by Nino The God on 04/29/2009
Your a joke, what about the Henry shirt tug in the box, and the BS offsides call against Barca early in the game that would've sent there forward one one one with the keeper? AND WHO ARE YOU TELLING TO PLAY FOOTBALL? Chelsea are a bunch of COWARDS!:
"Ok, so it wasn't our best performance, but surely they have to realise that we couldn't go to the Camp Nou, where Bayern had been dispatched 4-0 three weeks ago, and play our usual game - it would have been suicide!"
Well, either you and your club are just p*ssies, or you are admitting you are certainly a class below Barcelona. And, BTW, I am also a REAL MADRID FAN...;)
Facts are stubborn things.
|
Posted by kayarash on 04/29/2009
Chelsea got what they wanted; playing your regular strategy against Barca would have been suicide, especially at Camp Nou. However, blues have to know they cannot play at bridge like that; they have to score if they want to reach to the final. As a result, they have to change their strategy playing more open. Therefore, they have to expect Barca to score! I think blues do not have any chance unless they win. Although I respect Chelsea as one of the greatest sides, they cannot defeat Barca. Optimistically what Chelsea will earn is a draw with scoring which is useless for them. Thus, they have to say bye and just think of FA cup. I think the story about Barca and Chelsea is the same story as a cat and mouse. Barca as a cat is lying in ambush and Chelsea as a mouse is in its hole. It does not matter how many days the mouse wants to stay. He/she has to get out of the hole for some water and food in order to stay alive. Consequently, this is where the poor mouse will be hunted.
|
Posted by ArrogantRed on 04/29/2009
How can anyone who talks about knowing the game of football dismiss last night's performance by Chelsea as poor? They went to the Nou Camp and got a draw. If they went there with the idea of playing fluid attacking football they would have been dismantled by Barcelona. Hiddink and all of Chelsea know this, so they executed a beautifully tactical plan and it worked. You shouldn't be so quick to dismiss every team who doesn't play with Barcelona or Arsenal's style. Indeed they play beautifully, but what has Arsenal won for playing in this way? What did Mourninho's Chelsea accomplish with their bullish approach to a game? There is something to be said about the vast difference of achievements between those two. There is nothing wrong with going into a Champions League semi-final away from home and seeking a draw. The name of the team escapes me now, but this tactic worked out quite well for Barca's opponents last year. Cheers.
|
Posted by daninho on 04/29/2009
first- barca had possession of the ball for ninety min. and chelsea played like a chicken with its head cut off. so you be the judge of who played football.
second - chelsea should have been awarded cards for tackles, english premier isn't so physical that those tackles would have been ok in england, u mean to tell me the game of football has a hint of wrestling.
third - to call a draw a glorious achievment when u r considered to be one of the best teams in the world, is PATHETIC
|
Posted by liam on 04/29/2009
not a barcelona fan nor a chelsea fan really...
but i must say this is the worst football article i have ever read.good job
|
Posted by andy thornton is an idiot on 04/29/2009
you had to have been high on 200 different kinds of drugs when you were watching that game because you are a complete idiot. how can you justify chelsea after that performance? their reserve side could have gone out there and done the exact same thing they did. andy thornton you are a complete moron and i feel bad for you. you are so stupid that instead of looking at the facts that chelsea are an inferior team to barcelona and at a whole level below them, you are trying to say they are whining?? if barcelona was whining that game, i dotn know what drogba does for you on a day to day basis. he is the biggest twat to play at this level. once again andy thornton, u are a retard.
|
Posted by Ottley Joseph on 04/30/2009
This article is both ridiculous and clearly partisan. Where and when did chelsea play football? For all the talk about lucky goose (Guus) and how chelsea were coming to attack, they failed to produce any evidence that they can play football or win the UCL. In fact what it did was galvanise the well known feeling that they are scared of barca judging by their five man midfield and constant defending for the full 96 minutes. There wasn't even a pretense of a counter attack. This chelsea team was a disgrace and what they did should never be referred to as playing football. It begs the question, are they going to defend at the bridge and hope to go through on penalties? I think its obvious to all that they cannot beat barcelona in an open free flowing game, they just don't have the talent. Referees should do more also to protect the integrity of the game and ensure that fans get to see what they paid for as opposed to cynical tackling and game delaying tactics.
|
Posted by Colin Lai on 04/30/2009
Barca should realize that Chelsea played in this style out of respect for them. We wouldn't have played this way against ManU, Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Juve, but just for Barca. They could play mind games with referees with these complaints but sometimes it can backfire. They'd better grow up and adapt themselves to the European stage.
|
Posted by alan on 04/30/2009
|
Posted by alan on 04/30/2009
|
Posted by kingsley on 04/30/2009
we played good football. Barca will always attack but a good team will only contain them and win them on only conter attack. i think hiddick played the right formation two holding midfielders in front of the last four. that work. i except them to play the type and killed the game with counter attack. go my boys
|
Posted by John on 04/30/2009
Hey Andy,
Barca was playing football. Chelsea was just lining up 10 guys in front of the goal like a brick wall. It looked like a fussball game with 10 players on one stick in front of the goal. Barca led 20-4 in shots and 70%-30% in possession. Chelsea had more fouls because they could not get the ball. It would be a tragedy if Barca doesn't make it to the final. Barca is clearly the best team in the world. English teams play rugby, not true football.
|
Posted by frankeeeeeeeee on 04/30/2009
Much of this article is spent defending what was a dirty dirty Chelski team who knew that the most effective method of stopping Barca was to hack at them at any opportunity. Perhaps you enjoyed the result but surely if you're a football fan you cannot have enjoyed the means by which it was achieved. The win at any cost is costing England any style in football and is a primary reason why a national team like England's struggle to progress far in Euro or World Cup comps, they simply don't have the creativity and flair required to take the game to opponents.
|
Posted by Daniel on 04/30/2009
Oi lay off no one can ever say their team never parks the bus if your a man united fan your pathetic because we got the idea from what you did last year, an arsenal fan im sorry i cant even call what you were playing against man united defending of any kind. Chelsea were playing defensively and still came closer to scoring. And all you guys complaining about how hard our players go in man its the league watch a premier league game and there is always a lot of physicality. And you don't even try to say that la liga isn't dirty do i need to the word "pepe" ring a bell. But on the other hand yes this corespondent is very biased and it was not the majority of the players that were diving it was pretty much iniesta and alves. And we Chelsea fans cant say our team doesn't dive and if you think your team doesn't just send your teams name and i can find you a link on youtube its football mates and its shameful yes but its still there. For me Im simply pleased we didn't get mauled by barc
|
Posted by Kev on 04/30/2009
First paragraph sums it up ... Barca are a "Great team" ... Even Andy thinks so... Chelsea are just a mediocre side running around claiming to be a football team ... How can we have a champions league final without the best team in Europe? Barca to win and win comfortably at the Bridge.
|
Posted by Eddie on 04/30/2009
I didn't know Alex Ferguson got a chance to coach Chelsea against Barca in Tuesday's game. Chelsea pulled the same stunt Man U did one year ago in Camp Nou. They should send some of the Barca players to go teach Chelsea how to play some real futbol. The world's game was disgraced yesterday by the pitiful display of Chelsea. Guus Hiddink will pay for his cowardice coaching. Barcelona will go into England and show their fans how real futbol is played.
|
Posted by Rishav on 04/30/2009
Chelsea basically took a leaf out of uniteds book.. same strategy used by utd last year.. and it worked.. barca is simply too good to beat at their own game... but then.. they also get frustrated easily...
great teams can adapt themselves to all opposition.. its up to barca to prove that they are the best team in europe.. to prove this they will go for the away goal.. but thats what might hurt them.. without marquez and puyol, im thinking drogba is already smelling blood..
|
Posted by Jeff on 04/30/2009
Start playing football?? Come on Andy that should be told to Chelsea. They didn't want to play football and they didn't let Barcelona play either. But don't keep your hopes up Andy. At the Bridge, Chelsea are going to be stretched out and that'll give Barca their wanted space. Cross your fingers the Catalans are coming to London..
|
Posted by Rob on 04/30/2009
Until English teams can go away from Home and play their natural Game the EPL can NEVER be called the best League in the world. The way Chelsea played and Man Utd in the same game last year shows how technically inferior the EPL is to La Liga. Hang your heads in Shame Chelsea, you conceded territory before the game started.
|
Posted by BrainMatter on 04/30/2009
I, of course expected all this stupid replies regarding the Chelsea barcelona game. I wont deny barcelona's technical abilities or the fact that between messi, e'to and henry they have 90 goals. The fact is that football is a game of strategy and the best players of the game use their brain more than their feet. It would be stupid for Chelsea to go to the nou camp and play chelsea football. Since Chelsea's goal is to advance to the finals, they had to play a defensive game, and yes, technical fouls are part of the game. barcelona fans are mad that their little team got held at home by a smarter team and Chelsea fans are glad we did it. Just look at bayern, got destroyed 4-0 at the nou playing their usual game. Guus is truly a football tactical genious, but like J.Terry said, this is only half time.
|
Posted by Brainmatter on 04/30/2009
For the record, not saying all of barcelona's player a divers (iniesta or messi usually continue playing after a foul or get back up) but that theatrical alves rolling around on the floor as if someone had just broken his leg is pathetic for a grown man.
|
Posted by HL82 on 04/30/2009
Barca played football
chelski played yawnball
I thought i was going to read a sensible and intellectual comment by this Andy guy. But what do i get? Some lame bashing by a true "blue" fan defending the the way chelski played yawnball. Really disappointed by how The Great Guus Hiddink decide to play out the match. Barca need to come out and speak/whine of how chelski played so that chelski can at least try to play some football in the second leg.
|
Posted by The Fodge on 04/30/2009
Slightly surprising from a fan of the English team most noted for lobbying the referees in-game (last year refs were told to card chelsea more often for their behavior). By the way, when did Lampard start playing the same position as John "Nutmeg" Terry? The only reason it ended 1-1 is because Henry refused to pass the ball in the final third and other barca players wasted clear chances (i.e. eto'o after the nutmeg and bojan at the end, to name 2). Chelsea hosts mid-game talk shows with the ref and Wenger and Sir Alex bitch about the refs every week in the premiership, so chill with the xenophobia about "cheeky spaniards." Chelsea are oversized and slow, and will lose next week whenever they finally have to send more than four players into the opponents' half.
|
Posted by andrew on 04/30/2009
any that has any clue of how to play the game knows that you cant play agaisnt barca...look at the possesion, what more can you do besides sitting in, if you attack the rip you apart,then you people will complain that english football is poo when they lose 4-0.. you play the actics that will ensure a victory...man utd did the same thing last year... bottom line you cant go foward against barca and leaved yourself exposed idiots!!!
|
Posted by Abhishek Prabhu on 04/30/2009
I find it hard to believe that you are justifying the way your team played Andy. Given that you guys have invested so much in your squad i think you should have played a lil more and been more competetive. besides ballack surely should have been sent off for sticking his hand in iniesta's face and barca should have been awarded a penalty when bosingwa wrestled henry to the ground.
|
Posted by LT on 04/30/2009
I'm a Chelsea fan and happy that we managed a draw last night.
But read your own post from a week ago when you criticized Everton as a "dour and hard-working side with no flair or panache .... and somehow managed to keep a clean sheet"
Funny - when Everton did it, it was dour. With Chelsea, it's praised as something that "requires 100% concentration, skill and the ability to get tackles in".
Double standards?
|
Posted by chelseaman67 on 04/30/2009
Just ecos they can't score a goal at home ground, they are complaining this and that. i believe every team does the same thing when comes to foul. players will go down as if they have broken a rib or leg just like what henry did. just move on and play your game barca. stop all this complaining cos chelsea will finish you off in the 2nd leg at stamford bridge.
|
Posted by norman lamberty on 04/30/2009
what an excruciating game to watch!!! not only because of hoe negative and cowardly chelsea played but also the terrible finishing by barcelona!! wow!! bojan at the last minute! if that goes in this is all a moot point because chelsea would then have to try and attack barcelona in the second leg. now i think they're gonna try to play for penalties... god i hate chelsea and liverpool style football!!
|
Posted by Football lover on 04/30/2009
This joker named Andy Thornton has no clue what football means. Who let this jackass to be a correspondent. What a totally nonsense, stupid article.
|
Posted by Andy/go the blues! on 04/30/2009
to trash the idiot who says chelsea will lose the second leg 3-0... are you serious or just stupid? if you are serious do u wanna have a bet on the game? i can e-mail you my bank account details... put your money where your mouth is! go the blues
|
Posted by Jan on 04/30/2009
To Greg:
I've seen many times in the match where Iniesta and Dani Alvez easily went down by just simple touch.. I was absolutely disgusted, I can even predict Barca player's act: "Here we go, he's gonna go down again soon". They didn't play like athletes.
As for Chelsea, yes they played defensive football, but I think it's a beautiful one, because they didn't concede and it shows that we know how to stop Barcelona. The second game will be a totally different one. Hiddink is a Genius.
|
Posted by Ogio on 04/30/2009
Anyone that thinks Chelsea punked out is deluding themselves. ManU won last year and did the exact same thing. There is a reason NOONE has held Barca scoreless at CampNou this year...Barca is world-class and opening the field up to concede 2-3 goals is professional suicide. I'm not a lover of "catanaccio" but only thing anyone ever remembers is who wins the tie. 2nd leg @ the Bridge will be poised - will Chelsea set up shop again and play for penalties, or come out and risk Messi tearing them to shreds. My bet is they open it up and take their chances. No Marquez, No Puyol - I'll put money on goals for both teams. The winner meets (and probably beats) ManU in Rome!
Forza Milan 4eva!!!
|
Posted by mat on 04/30/2009
please do not compare italy to chelsea. italy AT LEAST send more than one player up into the opposition's half, italy look to score rather than defend and just pump balls up to the opposition goalie. and chelsea were dirty yes but most teams are, it just looked worse as only 1 team attacked for the full 90. guardiola's attack on the ref shows his immaturity at this level. i, as a barca fan, will leave my judgment of him till the end of the season when or IF he wins anything. his substitutions have been poor, barring only messi. henry's goal was down to luck n other than tt against valencia he was poor. and why take off eto'o for krkic n player pep obviously has no confidence in, by the no. of mins bojan has played all season. where was the obvious aerial threat of a mr keita? and hleb? god... next season barca need villa and ribery. henry is not as gd as the current hype suggests and eto'o well villa would have finished his 1 chance. as for pep, grow up pls or we will suffer.
|
Posted by Jared on 04/30/2009
"chelsea defended all game showing poor sportmanship in not playing the way football is suppose to be played..people pay to watch football not a team throw all there players in defence"
that was one of the dumbest things i have ever read on a post. there is no "correct" way to play football. it is a sport and there are different tactics. no, it was not a pretty game by chelsea but they came with a tactic to defend and not let barca get momentum at home and they succeeded. once again, there is no right way to play, don't be an idiot. and as for people saying barca doesn't dive, get real. EVERY team dives. sadly it is part of the game currently. chelsea, barca, real, man u, arsenal, inter every single team has divers. multiple. i would be all for yellows given to every single dive, no matter the importance. it is a baby tactic that is a disgrace to football, no one can argue with that. but once again, you cannot say chelsea played "wrong." it was ugly and boring, but the tactic paid off
|
Posted by paul on 04/30/2009
STUNNING draw! You're having a laugh, right? Chelsea were given a footballing lesson by a superior team. They gave away twice as many free kicks and I think Guardiola has a point when comparing 2 yellow cards for both sides given that disparity. But disparity is what will see Barca through. They're better than Chelsea - simple as that.
|
Posted by matt on 04/30/2009
to continue, pep will deserve every accolade if barca wins a trophy n he should win la liga because anything short of tt title is catastrophic to his reputation n tt of barca's. hiddink was tactically astute to know tt they couldnt concede a goal at all costs but if they gt 1 then nice if not we'll grab one at home. so chelsea defending was no surprise but the extent of his defending was. lampard was reduntant, essien mikel n ballack hardly set foot past the halfway mark. malouda as fine as his form as been is never going to trouble more than 2 defenders at once and drogba doesnt have the searing pace to drop back n break forward esp sp without lamps, so hiddink in this sense let down chelsea's reputation as a big club. big clubs dont sit back ALL the way, its implausible. chelsea played like a small club. lamps expression on the bench was not just because he was subbed out bt because he hardly did anything. chelsea now need to show they are a big club but so do barcelona. game on..
|
Posted by Jared on 04/30/2009
ryan - Exactly how hard is it to sit 10 players behind the ball really?
If you have ever played football you would know that this is actually very hard to do. I am not supporting chelsea and saying they played a beautiful game, but give some credit to them. It is not as easy as you are dreaming it is to defend for 90 minutes against an amazingly skilled team. keeping your marks, chasing players, cutting off passing angles and lanes is very hard to do against skilled players. it takes complete discipline, great communication between all players, and a ton of stamina. when you are sitting back defending you tire a lot quicker. you have to run to cut off the passes. for the attacking team, the ball does the work through passing. for defense, the players have to cover all the ground. i'm not saying chelsea played a pretty game that is appealing to all or supporting that they do it again. but they did not just luck into a 0-0 draw. a lot of effort and defensive skill made that happen
|
Posted by jogabonito on 04/30/2009
If the EPL is the strongest league with the strongest teams in the world....why do they employ Italian tactics (and tacticians) to disrupt the beautiful play of a team they so obviously fear (Man Utd did the same last year). EPL is not the strongest league...just the dirtiest
|
Posted by Gary on 04/30/2009
Look who's talking?? Asking barca to start playing football while they themselves are playing rugby or american football..
Your players did not even hesitate to stick a foot into every barca player who had the ball (including some who weren't holding on to it)and some were clean but some, not even close.. And yet the ref just let his hands down.. I mean come on, at least a ballack send off for that slap???
Instead Puyol is the one who got the yellow..Well, maybe well deserved but why didn't he get it right for the ballack tackle??
Are u kidding me?
|
Posted by Sanjeet on 04/30/2009
Chelsea came to Barca to get a job done. Similar to what Man Utd did in Porto. It was a dull game then to but it was effective. Remember Greece in Euro 2004?
|
Posted by zola on 04/30/2009
Barca attacked,we defended...we have our own methods and tactics...if you are not satisified its because you HATE chelsea..for us chelsea supporters we're just looking forward to next week...Chelsea an INSULT to football?i bet your team is a BIGGER insult to football...
Its nice to be hated,atleast we are making our statements...to yellow cards,synchronised diving,imaginary card waving and most importantly PLAYING football..we wait for you at the Bridge :]
p.s. i expect a GARBAGE drogba special too,1-0 will do nicely!
|
Posted by Ivan on 04/30/2009
As a Chelsea fan, I have to say that result counts and perfoamnce dont matter. Based on last year CL final where we hit the post twice (Drogba & J Cole I think) and dominate the game and still lost to Man Utd. Any one gonna remember Chelsea for their profomance? NOPE. EVeryone will remember Man Utd is the winner of last yr CL.
So i dont give a shiite what you guys called "beautiful" football or whatever. They can twist and turn and spin and juggle around for all they like , but if your team are not winning, thats all for show and no glory.
CFC played smart after what happen to Bayen and so many teams in Nou Camp. We have physical players to do the job , so be it. Bacra have players to spind around so be it.
In the end its the result and trophies that matters. No oen gonna remember the turnt hat you did in 69th min. No one gonna remember the twist that you did in the 75th min. No one really cares about the juggle that you did on the 80th min. Everyone gonna remember your trophies.
|
Posted by chelsea footbal club on 04/30/2009
all of you are speaking with dillusioned emotion. your pathetic analysis sells cheap your sorry identity of poor barca supporters. you have without shame resorted to your team players's unenviable cry baby mentality. unfortunately or fortunately, whether you weep or crawl to the ref or courts we shall thwart your baseless hopes of making it to the final. my advice to you is, dont watch the final because at the bridge, you shall be whipped like fart. do yourself a favour, save yourself the pain, defect to chelsea today
|
Posted by Shridhar on 04/30/2009
I do not agree with some parts of this post, like the Ballack thing. It was a foul, but do tell me, all you Chelsea-bashers, how many times has Vidic committed such cheap fouls, how many times has Carragher got in sneaky tackles and yet got away? In the end, it's the ref's decision that matters, not what anyone thinks. Yes, it was a foul, but it wasn't penalized, so you can't change that. Most refs in the Prem are in United's pockets and give most penalties in their favour. So we cry foul everytime? Chelsea played the way they did because it's not always necessary to counter class with class, you need to get results sometimes. Yes, we played cynical football, but even your highly rated attacking sides like United or Arsenal would pee in their pants if they tried their regular game against Barca. Barca are a supreme attacking side, and the only way you can get results against them is by stopping them play.
|
Posted by tdel on 04/30/2009
I keep wondering why folks seem to have forgotten that Chelsea did beat Barca at Nou Camp under Mourinho barely 24months ago. If you ask me I think Chelsea lost the game as well as the unplayed home game.
Chelsea's game plan shows a team that BELIEVES that it can not beat its opponent if it dared left its half. I am sure that the only strategy Chelsea has is practising for penalties.
Chelsea fans should save money its not going to be any different at Stamford Bridge. The game is for Barca to lose.
There's no strategy called 'defence' to WIN a war, for you to take a city you have to take the battle to the other side.
|
Posted by Zulu on 04/30/2009
Sorry Andy. I am really not able to understand what you call football in your part of the world. All world saw that only one team played football at the Camp Nou and definitely they were not from London.
|
Posted by Shridhar on 04/30/2009
Even stopping them play is hard, and Chelsea did it admirably in a back-to-the-walls-job. It requires a 100% commitment, ability and concentration to do that. It was a marvellous performance, by the team and especially Bosingwa, who marked Messi off the pitch so much so that he was near-anonymous. All those assholes who say you can it's always about the style have got to get their heads checked. Barca are probably the greatest team we will see in a few decades, and to get a draw against them is huge. GO Chelsea!
|
Posted by Richard Clarke on 04/30/2009
I don't think much of your article, friend. Chelsea went there to stop Barca from playing football. They also had a ref that went easy on them. It's a strategy that worked on the night but Chelsea have to admit that they are not half the team that Barca are, sometimes the best team just doesn't win.
|
Posted by Ben on 04/30/2009
All of those who are claiming that Chelsea didn't play the 'correct way' or thought how we played was cowardly are absolute fools. How many of you that said that are man U supporters? How many of the people who said that would have agreed that Man U were the best team in europe last year? They beat Barca with exactly the same tactic. Fergie knew exactly what Hiddink knew. Go in the first game, defend and hit them on the counter and see if we can sneak one. In the mean time get under their skin and make it uncomfortable for them. If we can get past them at home we will open up and take them on at the bridge.
I'm not gonna say that we were the better team, but i think we played almost exactly how we wanted, apart from not being able to keep possesion for long enough.
Those who think they have some kind of moral high ground because we decided to play defensive really are sad sad people..
|
Posted by emeka on 04/30/2009
it does not matter how the result was got, chelsea set out to get a draw and they did. End of discussion. In London should they set out to get the victory and they do then who is playing football - of course chelsea did.
Barca for moaning and complaining are being childish what do they expect for Chelsea to poen up and get whipped. Chelsea got what they needed with what they had, discipline. barca should get the result with what they think is necessary.
There is no such thing as bad football or good football, the game is a business - a business of winning whatever means.
|
Posted by JT on 04/30/2009
Barca fans are clearly sore that their team failed to score. Get real guys...of course u herds would like Chelsea to come out attacking all gung-ho so that Messi & company could pick us off gleefully & end up stuffing us 4-0 or sumthing right? Wats d point of having home advantage in d 2nd leg then? The tie would've been truly dead & buried by then aka Bayern.
DREAM ON. Only fools would undertake such a suicide mission. Clearly, Barca are the best attacking team in Europe at d moment. So Chelsea were just being pragmatic, they always have been. The whole mission at d nou camp was to remain ALIVE in d two-legged tie, so dat we'll have more than a fighting chance in d return leg.
Of course, as a football fan I found d game disappointing. But Chelsea were just playing to their strengths. It's all about RESULTS, people. If Chelsea makes it to d final AGAIN, dats all people (except Barca fans of course) will remember 10,20 years from now...NOT how we won d semis!
Peace.
|
Posted by Ray Liling on 04/30/2009
Chelsea could have gone to the Nou Camp and played beautiful football. However, the problem would have been that they would have been thrashed by Barca. What is the point of going home with a 0-4 defeat, as Bayern found out? Champion teams try to WIN the Champions League, they do not try to be the "best footballing side". Chelsea had to defend away from home and they did that admirably - Hiddink's tactics were brilliant. Messi, Henry and E'to were not in the game and Barca hardly looked like scoring. The best team will go through to the final because Chelsea will have to play a different game at home and then we will see. May the best team progress!!!
|
Posted by sha8 on 04/30/2009
Dude, ur a disgrase to the chelsea fans. U tell barca to play football. Was chelsea even playing football on tuesday? I doubt so. They parked a whole bus in front of goal. The thing barca played, TTZ FOOTBALL SCUMBAG! Yes chelsea used some defensive tactics, yes they stopped barca from scoring. But wld they have won neutral fans? I don't tink so. Even capello, the england manager was fuming at the way chelsea played. EPL has the best teams in the world? YEAH RIGHT! Except for liverpool(BTW, they defeated barca 2 yrs ago at camp nou wid a score of 2-1)the rest of the teams(i mean man u and chelsea) are just cowards. This is the worst article i have ever read. Period.
|
Posted by emeka on 04/30/2009
Well Chelsea fans have been made to believe they did their thing but lets look at it this way
CFC Vs FCB
0-0 (penalty) any team (50:50)
1-1 FCB through (anydraw apart 4rm goaless)
1-0 CFC through (any win by CFC)
0-1 FCB through (any win by FCB)
So you see against a side like FCB u need to score cos d STAT shows d have a better chance xcept that its Stamford bridge but mind you they have won dere b/4 so both teams ought to be very carefull
|
Posted by Tushar on 04/30/2009
OMG!!
Andy you are insane..You are clearly supporting EPL teams.Dunno if soccernet has paid you or what.
Barca players dont need to cry because they are the best in the world.See how they destory chelsea next week.
PS: Worst football article i have ever read..
|
Posted by Chelsea Fan.. on 04/30/2009
Chelsea play the best tatical gameplan during the Barca match.The coach know very well that the three attack trio had 90 GOALS already and to go out for an all attacking gameplan like BM is suicidal!
Defensive is another form of attacking.If Barca is so good,no matter who type of formation opposition layout,they will still win!!
It meant that they are not of Champion qualities.
To be able to neutralise the attacking and to countered attack the opponents like Drogba in the 37 Mins and to subsitute out Frank Lampard is an indication of the Genius of Guus as to tell the other player in the field to focus on defensive and not stray out to attacking and leaving holes for opponents to fill..
It is a world class mind reading football games that chelsea serve out!!
The Coach deserved the respect of all those people watching football.It is a Football that is playing 90mins changing gameplan and thrills..
Excellent Live Football...
|
Posted by JT on 04/30/2009
Chelsea sure as hell weren't the first team to go to d Nou Camp with d idea of defending and certainly won't be d last team to go there and defend. YET...we were d first to stop Barca from scoring at home in 50 matches. Surely, Chelsea did sumthing right.
Granted, Chelsea didn't have much of d ball...but to stop d best attack in d world from scoring in 90 mins requires much more than just sitting back. Organization and intense focus is required, plus superb fitness as it's always more tiring when you don't have d ball..
But Barca fans who think Chelsea will play d same way at home is SADLY mistaken (helo? We won 4-2 in 04/05 remember?!). And those who said dat Chelsea will hold out for penalties are even more stupid 'cos the Blues' record at winning penalties is HORRID! So they would definitely wana finish d job in normal time.
And good luck to Barca without Puyol & Marquez nxt week. Even against ultra-defensive teams like Liverpool, Juve & Roma...Chelsea have scored at d Bridge!!
|
Posted by Ace on 04/30/2009
So barca must win so that chelsea is playing football? Dont be stupid. Barca is just simply too arrogant. They think they could win any team in the world? AND when they dont, they will complain the other team not 'playing football'.
|
Posted by dice on 04/30/2009
u r de worst analyst eva!!And u guys say EPL is de best in de world,u mst b kiddin me,i bet if semi-finals were played at a neutral ground then u wil see how weak EPL is,i wish Barca de best in Stamford bridge altho im not a Barca fan
|
Posted by JT on 04/30/2009
You Barca fans can go on and on whining and whingeing about Chelsea's tactics for all we care. Fact is, many other big clubs would've done d same going to d Nou Camp in such a high-stakes game as a Champions'League semifinal.
You're just SORE as hell dat your much-vaunted attack FAILED to score in a full 90-min match. Instead of blaming us, why don't u ask instead how Bojan could miss a point-blank header from 3-yards out and Eto'o missing two clear-cut chances to score? Huh?? Idiots..
Barca can play all d pretty football they like. Chelsea just wana reach d Final again. Arsenal too are known for their attractive football, but they haven't won a single trophy since 2005. Enough said.
And Chelsea a dirty team? Haha, wat a joke. Yeah yeah, we're soooo dirty dat Barca's only REAL injured player, Marquez, went down in agony when not a single Chelsea player was even within 5 yards of him. Again...idiots! If we're truly a dirty team, Marquez would be d least of your injury problems.
|
Posted by Anna List on 04/30/2009
So, Barcelona are a great attacking side, except when a team defends against them. Messi can dribble from the halfway line passing six players and score, except when the opposition does not let him.
Barcelona lined up with a goalkeeper, four defenders, and a holding midfielder. Hardly an attacking formation. Why did Guardiola not withdraw his holding midfielder for an extra attacker? Why did he not go three at the back for an extra attacker? Did Abidal actually get in to the Chelsea half? To catch a fish you have to bait your hook with something the fish wants. Guardiola should have opened up at the back a little to tempt Chelsea out but he wanted to attack on the cheap and it wasn't enough. Etoo and Henry withdrawn when you want to score?
Guardiola was also hoodwinked into repositioning Messi off the right wing with all the talk of Bosignwa to mark him. He played more centrally and was easily nullified.
Let's judge the tie after both matches.
|
Posted by JT on 04/30/2009
I'm a big fan of both d Premier League and La Liga, but to say dat d Premiership is way inferior to La Liga??
Well, I guess dats why Arsenal dumped Villareal out and Real Madrid got stuffed 4-1 by Liverpool eh? And Liverpool couldn't even get past Chelsea in the quarters! I rest my case..
And who said d game was dull? I found it pretty entertaining to watch our usual rightback Bosingwa playing as a leftback (for only the 2nd time in his life) and STILL keeping d great Messi quiet in his pocket!! Muahahahahahahahahah
|
Posted by femi idowu on 04/30/2009
barca should stop complaining, for the fact that they could not score a goal against shows they are out already. anyway next season is there, they can always come back. UP CHELSEA.
|
Posted by jaidi lad on 04/30/2009
owh stop all of u crybabies. just admit it, barca never won against chelsea with 11 men. by the way henry and iniesta fell that nite, one would think that they might end up in icu. u can cry some more when chelsea head to rome come may.
|
Posted by Juzzie on 04/30/2009
Incredibly unsportsmanly for Barca to be accusing Chelsea of "not playing football", the wording of that kind of insult is really uncalled for.
Think about it, had Barca won, say, 2-0, would they be complaining about the fouls and petty yellow cards? I think not. I loved Barca's attacking football this season, but this display of petulance cannot possibly be anything more than a whiner's mentality since there's finally a team who doesn't let them score goals as they please.
For the posters above complaining about the Correspondent's last line, have you even heard the noises coming out of your own camp? We wouldn't need to tell Barca to stop whining and start playing football if they hadn't used that term in the first place.
I'm a neutral, in case that matters.
|
Posted by Mac on 04/30/2009
The reason that Barca is complaining so much is because they play in such a second tier league like the La Liga. There is a reason why both the past two years, 3 out of 4 teams are from the EPL. As much as the Barca fans want to see beautiful football, you have to be physical in todays game. Its not like the EPL is ugly, I find English football to be more entertaining. Of course it looks like a foul when a big German like Ballack is on Ineista!! He's barely 5'8. I'm not happy with Chelsea's performance, but they play for results. In ten years, all anybody will remember is who won the trophy. Plus Barca would be up one-nil if Eto'o just layed that ball off in the penalty area instead of trying to do it himself. Im sure they'll be another crying Barca blog after next weeks match too! Go Blues!!!
|
Posted by John on 04/30/2009
A Shameful, embarrassing display by an otherwise mediocre team. Everyone talks about how good the English Premiere League is but when an English team comes to Europe they play like a grammar school team. Credit Chelsea with one thing - they know and can freely admit to the world when they are totally outclassed. Chelsea has never sought to play football at the Camp Nou. I wouldn't have even known that Ballack, Lampard or Drogba were on the pitch but for looking at lineup before the match. Chelsea anti-football is no better than Italian anti-football (although the Italians have used it with much more success of course). Chelsea, you're a pox on the beautiful game. You should be banned from Europe simply for being you. You inspire a culture of mediocrity that is a modern day symbol of the demise of the English empire. Take your ball and go home, ladies.
|
Posted by Eric on 04/30/2009
For all those that complain about how this article is bias all the way.. do you guys even read the article properly... he is a Chelsea correspondent of course he is going to favor Chelsea's side of the story...it would be exactly the same for a Barcelona correspondent writing about how his side Barcelona played the better football....but end of argument what was the score for the game 0-0 right...will it change hell no...so whats the point there is one more leg to go........not always the better side on paper will win but who played the best on the day
|
Posted by BrainMatter on 04/30/2009
"Everyone talks about how good the English Premiere League is but when an English team comes to Europe they play like a grammar school team"
Did you read over what you just wrote? Because english teams beat all other european teams in the champions league. 3 teams left are english, but the english play ike a grammar school team? Please explain your logic.
Furthermore, genious, football is more of a game of strategy and smart thinking than dribbling. Brain always beats brawl.
How exactly has chelsea inspired mediocrity? if anything they were more defensive and "boring" under Mourihno. Also, how's mediocrity or "being average" a symbol for the demise of England? Sportswise, most players dream of playing in the english or spanish leagues. Economywise, the sterling pound is still worth more than the dollar (and nobody can deny U.S. is a world power). John you might want to find out what words mean before putting stupid sentences together.
|
Posted by Bluesman on 04/30/2009
The simplest tacrics in most things are the best. You play the way your opponents do not want you to. You exploit their weakneses.There are currently people who believe football should be non contact. That is a travesty of the great game. The purpose of playing in the champions league is to reach the next round. In football there are no prizes for artistic impression. Perhaps that is why Barca are the great underachievers in the top European competition.
Perhaps Barca should join Arsenal in playing ladies football although even that might be too physical.
|
Posted by ChelseaFan on 04/30/2009
If playing beautiful football means get beaten 4-0 by barca, I must say, chelsea did a good job surviving the game. No matter how boring the game is, result is all matter to big clubs. Look at arsenal, self proclaimed of their beautiful football, but win nothing!
However at the first leg in Nou Camp, Chelsea should have done better. Passing is terrible, midfield area is really bad making barca dominate the game easily. After watching the last performance against Liverpool in Stamford Bridge, everybody should know the level of football that chelsea play. I believe this is just a bad day for the boys, and they absolutely going to make Barca pay for not taking advantage in Nou Camp.
GO CHELSEA!
|
Posted by Kanendra on 04/30/2009
You're the most stupidest analyst i have ever read about by far. England is praising Chelsea for the way they 'played' but did they play??
Their only intention was to stop Messi and Co.
Beautiful football will prevail at the Bridge.
|
Posted by ChelseaFan on 04/30/2009
Its funny to read what everybody is writing about the Barca and Chelsea game. What happened to the Barca goals huh? They couldn't score against a stingy defense at their home stadium. What a shame! Now the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge and I'm sure Chelsea will finish off Barcelona and advance to the finals once again. My prediction to the game... Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona. (The same score when Man Utd beat Barcelona)
|
Posted by Amar on 04/30/2009
The People in england will always talk about how great their big four are... and thats a joke for the rest of the world.
The EPL is clearly second to la liga. they are more successful becuz they are dirty. thats y.
English teams are insulting football. only liverpool and arsenal have dignity. Manchester utd and chelsea are insulting football. they are weak. they can only defend and hope. their victories are only good to laugh at.
THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE IS WEAK. IT IS A TRAVESTY. IT IS AN INSULT TO THE BEAUTIFUL GAME. AND ANDY THORNTON IS A STUPID RETARDED MORON.
|
Posted by mubarakr on 04/30/2009
So just because Chelsea played it safe, and decided to hold Barca for a draw, they get criticized. It's very obvious right now that if you attack barca, you get stretched, and no matter who you are, they will punish you. An injury hit Real nearly held Barca to the 0-0 at the Nou Camp in December. They employed the same gameplan but didn't have the players at the time to execute it properly, the squad being injury hit and all. I think Chelsea played it samrt and safe and are now in an excellent position to qualify for the final. I am a Real fan by the way, not a Chelsea fan.
|
Posted by slickwil on 04/30/2009
i'm a chelsea fan and i'll be the first to admit we have some play actors on our team--namely drogba. however, what i saw from iniesta and most sickeningly, alves, was just shocking. alves has so much skill, so why does he spend half the match writing all over the pitch like a big pussy?
football is not just about scoring goals. if it were, everbody would be a striker and no goalie or defence. think about it. think about how italy and germany have won so many world cups. imbeciles.
|
Posted by Jeff on 04/30/2009
The original writer is a Chelsea fan but has the writer ever watched Chelsea surround the referee after a foul by the other team asking the referee to show a card? Hilarious he calls out Barca for using Chelsea's favorite trick.
Mikel is a disgrace to football. He should join the rugby team.
Drogba is so fragile when touched, he should've been a ballerina.
|
Posted by leo on 04/30/2009
"Their only intention was to stop Messi and Co"
Try to stop the opposition from scoring? You're right, that's got to be the stupidest tactic to win a football match, ever. I actually dislike Chelsea, and yes, they didn't control the game in midfield, but at least they can adapt their own game to who they're playing. They play fast and attacking style when they believe that will defeat their opponent, and slow and defensive when they believe that will work better. And yes, they will have to step up their midfield play to advance, and Drogba will have to finish, but a championship caliber team knows when to play what style.
And if Barca's so beautiful, top-class, ambitious, and inventive in their play, how can they not find a way to get a ball through a "grammar-school" defense? Just because you're a more beautiful and technical team, if you can't beat the opposing style, how are you better?
Only Rome will settle this matter for good, for this year at least.
|
Posted by gibe on 04/30/2009
Agreed, Chelsea did not play football and Barcelona did play the beautiful game. Who can you blame?The beautiful game is no longer about playing it but results and that was the game plan Chelsea went with.Mourinho did it a lot but coming from Gus Hindink,it is a shock but very understandable.When you are playing against Messi, Xavi, Eto, Iniesta, Henry,careful is the name of the game.It was horrible watching the game but then i expected it.Don't expect Chelsea to come out firing on all cylinders at Stamford bridge. Might not just happen. Ballack challenge on Iniesta is no second yellow.Only penalty i saw was Bosingwa pulling Henry down in the box.
|
Posted by daniell on 04/30/2009
Go Chelsea Go!! Barca are cheats, always am and always will be!!
Show them who can play football at Stamford Bridge!
|
Posted by Mo on 04/30/2009
I'm not going to comment on Mr.Thornton's article, I think that's its been discussed enough already...What I don't understand is how ESPN Soccernet are allowing this guy to be their correspondant...he clearly knows nothing about football. Andy, I hope you're ready to eat your words up on May 6th.
P.S. Soccernet, please hire correspondants that actually know something about game. Thanks.
|
Posted by AB on 04/30/2009
This is for all the ppl who told dat the english premier league is the worst: "GET A LIFE!!"...indeed if this was the worst league wud there be 3 english teams in the semis?? La Liga is nowhere near the EPL...of course Barca are gud but the second best team in La Liga got screwed 5-0 by liverpool who were beaten in the quarters by chelsea....chelsea had a plan and they executed it to perfection...barca had no plan B...they cudnt break down chelsea so now they are moaning abt it so much that it makes me sick...according to them chelsea played dirty...i wonder wat wud have hapnd if they played a team like stoke city....barca had plenty of chances to kill the game but they didnt take them and chelsea are gonna make them pay at the bridge...TRUE BLUE 4ever...
|
Posted by To you Idiots! on 04/30/2009
All you people complaining about Chelsea's style of play at the game, shut up, youre all making yourself look so foolish. You turn and use the quote on this guy saying Chelsea need to learn to play football, ahh watch the game, Barcelona passed very well but that is not the only way Football is played, if you can't handle being pushed around maybe you should go play basketball where you cant be touched. I am pretty sure this is a contact sport, and I thought this was such an amazing team how about Barcelona stop complaining when they fail to win at home! what a joke! Take off your dresses, end your little tea party and grow some balls Barcelona! Ha Barcelona fans and players are so retarded. By the way Im a die-hard Arsenal fan, and Im supporting Chelsea thats how retarded the people of Barcelona truly are.
|
Posted by ji on 04/30/2009
Stacking 10-11 people in your own half if not your own area is not a show of a teams defensive prowess or ability, its just a matter of 10 on 7, any semi competent professional team should be able to hold their opponents from scoring. Regardless of the outcome of this tie, its a shame that Chelsea decided to play this way, staying in a cocoon inside their own half and caring more about making sure to tackle hard than to attempt any show of attacking football. I expected better from the so called elite premier league and its a shame that these tactics are what seem to be required to crown the best teams. I say the same for Italy, Greece, and all teams that engage in this strategy. Its sad, pathetic, and all it says to any unbiased observer is that the team doesnt believe it can beat its opponents and is just attempting damage control. If this is supposed to be a team that can win the Champions league, shouldnt they believe they can beat anyone?
|
Posted by Jack on 04/30/2009
Andy, when you say you've "been a Chelsea fan all my life", I wonder, how long is that exactly?
Cause between this and the "silverwear" post about the FA Cup practically being in the bag since your opponents are Everton, I'm beginning to wonder if you're not more than 16 years old.
Not only is your writing shite and about the standard of your average teenager, your views are terribly biased and often lack class and respect for other teams.
Even other more sensible Chelsea fans have voiced their disagreement on these comments, and I would rather much have one of them be writing the Chelsea blog than you. Here's hoping Soccernet dumps you for a far better writer soon.
|
Posted by hunk on 04/30/2009
i think its not the greatest of games for chelsea but it is one of the bestest draw they have ever had. they did very well maintaining a goaless draw and almost get away with a goal with drogba. a striker of his caliber should have scored too. In my opinion, one should never criticize a team of playing negative football. Comon, it is a tactical choice. it is just immoral to say a team of playing negatively.
|
Posted by random on 04/30/2009
I love what everybody writes in these blogs. Barcelona were clearly the better side and chelsea were lucky to escape with all eleven players still on the pitch. With that said, barcelona don't always play the beautiful game. Look at last saturday's game against valencia. This game was far more exciting than the chelsea game but there were some rather unfair play from both sides. Barca don't like to lose and they always react, not always in a positive way. In every close game, the ref will always be involved. All in all, Barca should advance to the final rather easily.They can't be stopped. This season anyway.
|
Posted by niraj on 04/30/2009
This article is just ridiculous and is doing what it is speaking against. Moaning. Now what is the game of football for? Do you just play to win, anyhow? Is that the point of the whole game, if so, chelsea awesome. But for many people like me, there must be some beautiful football or at least some football to score some goals. Isn't that what you English pride on your league, your always running, always attacking brand of football? Now when Barca wants to play that and all chelsea does is put 10 man behind and just tries to kill the game from the second it started, you try to defend it as strategy? What a shame!Thats why I ever a Chelsea fan stopped loving chelsea. We will know who needs to stop moaning unless you guys have a strategy to decide the game in chance by again defending with 10 men and going to penalties cause I don't see what else you have to offer?
|
Posted by ws on 04/30/2009
It will take one Barcelona goal and Chelsea will crumble. It took the whole team in the back to hold Barca from scoring; what do you think is going to happen when Chelsea is forced to attack.
Andy Thornton is a dope. One of the most expensive, if not the most expensive roster in soccer and they have to play most of the game with their buts up against the goal. Not going for that away goal will cost Chelsea.
|
Posted by whateverrr on 04/30/2009
Anyone defending chelsea's tactics as "defend and counter" clearly did not watch the game. Where were the counter attacks? I counted three, maybe four! Chelsea just booted it to Valdez. What a disgrace. I came into the game a neutral and left it HATING chelsea.
|
Posted by Blue Dan on 04/30/2009
everyone is ripping chelsea for playing physical and keeping a lot of guys on defence but show me where it says that that is not legal football. Chelsea is the first team to hold barca scoreless at the Camp Nou. Barca has an obvious advantage at home and chelsea didn't want to play to barca's advantage. We will see chelsea take control early and advance to the CL finals. Everyone badmouthing the epl and saying how much better barca and the primera is let me ask you this. What league has 3 teams in the semifinals?
|
Posted by public enemy on 04/30/2009
whoever write this article is a moron!
"STOP CRYING, PLAY ACTING, MOANING TO THE REF, WAVING IMAGINARY CARDS, ETC AND START PLAYING FOOTBALL!"
what on earth does he think by writing this statement?
chelsea not playing anything, just depending on a bit of luck to get 1 or maybe 2 shot on goal!!
is that the kind of football that you want to see?
you state about play acting?? chelsea's player is the one who play acting. look at drogba, with minimal contact, he can make like it the worst pain he ever had.. shame on you, shame on chelsea, shame on english football!!
chelsea should learn to fight like a real man!
they really look stupid!!
|
Posted by Frank on 04/30/2009
With all respect Andy Thornton, I think you are a little to tied emotionally to this tie between Barca and Chelsea to write anything objective.
|
Posted by Leon on 04/30/2009
Every time Chelsea has visited the Nou Camp in the past 9 years they have done one thing.Defend/foul,defend/foul,and foul.Their game is repulsive and similar to what you get when a relegation threatened team plays a real team.
Chelsea did exactly what everyone expected them to do,which is fine,the only problem is when fouls get ugly someone should stop it,and this is what the players are complaining about.
Its completely retarded that a team tries to play a good game and the other one only kicks and fouls and yet they both walk away with an equal amount of bookings.
I'm sorry but your fanboyism has you at the point of stupidity because you're trying to defend one of the most pathetic,un-sportsmanlike performances seen in the CL this season.
What's funny is I'd bet you anything that if someone beat your team with that pathetic "tactic" you defend now,you'd probably cry about it like a baby,just like you are now.
|
Posted by Leon on 04/30/2009
Hey Bluesman,
The "underachievers" you speak of,won the CL in 2006,as well as their own league.
That would be their second CL title.
BTW,Chelsea has never won the CL,and I'm pretty positive they wont win this one,so I cant even call them the underachievers,they're simply non existent.
Arsenal wins nothing because their team is weaker,than the competition,nothing to do with their style of play.
You can only wish your team could play the way Barcelona,ManU and few others play,because it is the hardest possible way to play a game AND win.Sitting 10 players on your area and hoping to god for 1 counterattack is much easier,and requires far less skill,a bunch of grunts could do it,as Chelsea proves.
|
Posted by TH on 04/30/2009
Its a disgrace!!! A total disgrace!!!
Remember Chelsea who commented that a certain Spurs team who park a bus in front of goal post?
A sense of deja vu here when i watch the game. Only now Chelsea is the one parking the bus in front of goals.
It will be a disaster for football if this kind of team reach the final of UCL.
|
Posted by Benny on 05/01/2009
Chelsea's formation was the problem. how can you expect to score against Barca with one forward?
they got lucky they didnt lose by 5 goals.Barca passed the ball around, beuatiful to watch, what did chelsea do, sit back and let them pass the ball
|
Posted by Barça 4 life on 05/01/2009
Your kidding me right?? i quote, -"START playing football"-????? (FYI...Barça was founded in 1899, before Chelsea (1905)so they def started playing football before CFC) Barça played football ALL night!! They dominated the ENTIRE game!! Chelsea did absolutely NOTHING!!! If chelsea's better then why didn't they, -"play their usual game"- they were playing scared cuz they knew barça would make fools out of them. Barça was clearly better. If chelsea wasn't defending so desperately, barça would easily have scored 2 or 3 goals. But still, barça managed to get pass chelsea's back line. If it wasn't for Cech, they would have lost 2 or 3 nil. Barça plays better tactical and posession football no matter where they play, whether they be at the Camp Nou or away. Barça plays the smartest football in Europe, if not the World. Chelsea will leave space for Barça to do their magic at the Bridge cuz they won't play like they did again. Barça will dominate no matter how chelsea plays. BARÇA!!!!
|
Posted by Bobby S on 05/01/2009
First of all, Barcelona have every right to be upset because Chelsea were cheating that game by deliberate fouls to stop Barca playing football. If the referee wasn't being paid by english teams then we wouldn't have english teams any near the semi finals.Fact remains english teams can't play football so they cheat. Where's your pride now.....
|
Posted by therush on 05/01/2009
"Posted by Chelsea Fan.. 17 hours, 35 minutes ago
Chelsea play the best tatical gameplan during the Barca match."
Yeah that's Guus for you. As soon as he was hired I put them as my favorite to win the trophy. Has there EVER been a better tournament manager? I think not.
|
Posted by defense wins champioships on 05/01/2009
you can't lose a game if you don't give up a goal; playing defense isn't a disgrace to football. There's teams that play defensive minded and those that play offensive minded. This tie was a clash of the two styles. It's too bad I can't see any of you on the pitch; I'd be able to show you the beautiful game of defensive punishing football.
|
Posted by Mayank on 05/01/2009
Agreed barca did not capitalize on the millions of chances they had to score. I would give some credit to Chelsea for their physical strength and majority dissapointment for Barca for not taking advantage of their chances. I wouldnt call Barca babies coz what we played was football and what chelsea was trying to play was... Rugby? i guess or whatever they call that game at Chelsea FC.
Even if so chelsea fans like calling us Babies, what a Barca fan would tag Chelsea as.. would be PUSSIES.. 11 pussies playing in their own half and trying their best to break the rythm of the game,either through drogba acting as if his balls were cut off.. or getting away with a rough tackle and fighting unnecessarily...
Come on chelsea.. you can do better than that...? You can be better than pussies and play football like ethical men. Unlike how u played at camp nou a mixture of rugby and football.
|
Posted by Amazed on 05/01/2009
I find it interesting that Chelsea fans are actually telling other teams to stop whining!!
Have any of you actually watched Terry, Cole, Drogba et al react when a foul is given against them? Chelsea are a team of cheats, and I personally can't wait for their Russian benefactor to drop them like a hot potato so they can return to relative obscurity again.
It won't be long before Chelsea fans stop waving those ridiculous plastic flags!
|
Posted by Jus on 05/01/2009
There is nothing wrong in being "defensive", which is undeniably a good strategy against attacking teams like Barcelona. But there is definitely something wrong when your idea of being "defensive" includes resorting to underhanded means like deliberate/indiscriminate fouling, diving and harrassing the referee.
I think "playing dirty" would be a more appropraite word for Chelsea's footballing strategy.
|
Posted by Cceeddrriicckk on 05/01/2009
SHUT UR MOUTH AND KNOW YOUR ROLE!!! CHELSEA PLAYS THE BEST FOOTBALL!!! WE GONNA WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AFTER THE FAILURE LAST YEAR!!
ARSENAL IS DOESN'T PLAYS FOOTBALL... THEY DIDN'T ATTACK NOR DEFEND WELL... THEY MORE LIKELY TO BE OUT!!
|
Posted by FEPL on 05/01/2009
My prediction to the 2nd game:
Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea.
|
Posted by chriz terry on 05/01/2009
though am a blue fan but we must see the truth that barca realy showed us some skills.but yet we stoped them,that is the most important.i must say that there is still 50-50 match ahead.
so let not complain untill wednesday after 19.45
then we shall see if chelsea were defending to win or loose
chriz......nigeria
|
Posted by Sovereign on 05/01/2009
Listen. if Chelsea had gone into barca territory and played open ball it would've been a blow out in Barcas favour. Why would ANYONE argue this idea. What bloody manager in their right mind -knowing the opposition in a 2 legged tie- would go all out. My god people..its DO OR DIE AND THIS IS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!. you do what you must. forget the fireworks they come naturally. As much as the tackles were a little rough & tumble, this is the semi's. Every battle for the ball counts. Barca is the overall superior but couldn't crack the wall. And please don't knock the Premier league, there's a reason there's 3 out of the 4. The 2nd leg will manage a Barca win im sure on a lousy away goal im sure but. S#%& HAPPENS!
|
Posted by bright on 05/01/2009
chelsea have to play the kind of football so that they will be able to at least have a draw
and that is what they did and i am happy that they did it so let them com to stamford bridg and see what will happen all thesame its foot ball no matter what happen
|
Posted by JT... on 05/01/2009
You barca pansies!
u think Chelsea play dirty?? U have NO IDEA wat dirty REALLY is, assholes! The Blackburns, Boltons and Stoke Citys of this world...see how THEY play in the Premiership week in, week out. I bet if bloody barca were to play in the Premiership they would just be a mid-table side! Cos they wouldn't be able to stand up to these bullies physically. And i say 'stand up' literally, u effing midgets!
Football is a PHYSICAL game. Stop moaning your asses off and giving these lame excuses. If you're not happy then go play a non-contact sport like ping-pong or something, pussies!
Of course d game was disappointing but as a Chelsea fan, the result was fantastic. And you barca fans are bloody dumb if u think that is how Chelsea play every week - parking d bus. We merely set out a strategy and stuck to it. It was about playing smart...not SUICIDAL-LY.
Chelsea will unleash their TRUE football at d Bridge and make Barca pay for not winning at home. Rome here we come..!!
|
Posted by JT... on 05/01/2009
To those barca idiots who say Chelsea can't play football..
Watch how we whipped your skinny asses 4-2 at the Bridge in '05 and 1-0 in '07...plus the 2-2 draw dat we got at the Nou Camp in '07 as well. That was when Chelsea showed their true face of football.
Oh and so far...Barca could only ever beat 10-men Chelsea teams...2-1 in '05 (when Drogba got sent off at the Nou Camp) and 2-1 again (when Del Horno got sent of at the Bridge).
So congratulations Barca! Plus...if your fancy football is the ONLY way to success, you pansies would be winning the Champions'League every year. Learn how to adapt and not be so one-dimensional, FOOLS!!
CHELSEA ALL THE WAY TO ROME..!!!
|
Posted by cechmate on 05/01/2009
So a slight touch on the jersey is enough to make a 80kg man go flying?
Football is about tactics and skill, so Chelsea went there to defend so what's wrong with that? If u're pissed cause you're cheated over that 2 hours on tv expecting attacking football it's the club fault because the manager issued a statement saying they will attack? First lesson in life is to never assume.
If it was liverpool playing that, it would be rafa's genius. Muppets.
|
Posted by cechmate on 05/01/2009
and TH,
your statement is contradicting. Greece won the EURO, Juventus won the Real Madrid with Zidane, Figo and Ronaldo so I don't suppose it's any weaker than the Barca now?
Alright man, so take out hargreaves, Fletcher and the folks that do the tackling in your team since they are grunts anyway. And oh by the way, did we used to spank Manutd and lose the Champion League on Penalty kicks and The League by 2 points.
Like it or not, Man Utd chose to play attacking football and they didn't choose it because they found it harder but because it was a way to attract fans. It's all about strategy mate, I suppose that term is alien to you.
|
Posted by foodiedoodie on 05/01/2009
C'mon CHELSEA!!!!
KTBFFH!!
|
Posted by cfc on 05/01/2009
I find it amusing that Barca fans are upset Chelsea went to the Nou Camp and played a totally defensive game. Especially considering their clubs ability to produce great offensive football. What exactly was it you expected? Another open la liga game where Barcelona was allowed to walk all over the opponent because they play "beautiful football". No, Chelsea played physical football to the extent that Barca were not prepared to deal with them. I think playing in an inferior league week in and weekout my have something to do with that.
Also,It is a joke that their players and coach should point the finger at anyone other than themselves for not scoring at home. Barca players were diving around the pitch. Iniesta's antics just outside the box being such garbage acting I could barely stand to watch.
Having said that I do not expect a CFC victory on Wednesday, this season is a perfect example that anything can happen. So that is what i will be expecting. That and some more Catalan acting
|
Posted by wtf on 05/01/2009
"As much as the tackles were a little rough & tumble, this is the semi's."
I've never understood the idea that if the games are more important the rules should change (this applies to soccer in general, not just this game). By trying to stay out of things refs are really making an excuse to run from what is their responsibility. No one wants to wrongfully give a goal to a team, but many seem quite comfortable with taking them away by not making the right call, being to ready to put up the flag, or keeping players on the pitch when they should have been booked...
having said that, I'm a Barca fan and we shouldn't be pointing fingers at the Chelsea tactics. there is no rule on how you have to play. it was our job to brake them down and we failed. we had chances we didn't take, and some of our best players didn't show up (partially because of Chelsea's play, but i think they were mentally out of it too).
so, let's all just wait and see what happens at Chelsea. may the best team win.
|
Posted by andy/go the blues on 05/01/2009
come on trash im still waiting 4 u 2 take my bet....GROW SOME BALLS!!!!!!!!!!! if theres any other barca cry babies out there wanting 2 bet bring it on... chelsea 4 champions league 2009
|
Posted by joetegak on 05/01/2009
Hello to you barca and chelsea fan i m not siding both team but today morden foot ball it is the smarter football coach who do the homework and order the player how and what play when play home or away games it a tactical.if u were going to war to other ppl contry did u blindly attack? sure no so in this case it chelsea play smarter than barca and barca to blame them self for not scoring by the way football is a man game being kick here N there is normal if you cant be kick than play non contact sport right? ha ha see you all at the bridge.
|
Posted by Bolingo Togo on 05/01/2009
I love Chelsea Football Club forever. They will Champions for this year 2009 EPL.
Barcelona should forget the past,this is our time. Up Chelsea!!!! Chelsea 4live.!!!!!!!
|
Posted by Sola Aiyepeku on 05/01/2009
How about Hiddink's lie?! No doubt the man is a great tactical coach but he threw everybody (including Guardiola) off by his statement of intent to attack @ the Nou Camp!HE LIED!!
I am a Liverpool fan & was surprised by Chelsea PARTLY playing 'our way' (we would have scored) but admire their not conceding.
Barca still created enough chances to make the 2nd leg a formality but that they didnt score has given Chelsea a big chance!
I dont think Chelsea can manage attacking & defending at the level required against Barca and should still be knocked out. That is what the Catalans must focus on and STOP WHINING!
Blaming the ref & asking for cards etc is CRAP!
|
Posted by ameze cornelius on 05/01/2009
Am a Chelsea Fan.We believe that a tiger team like Chelsea does not proclaim its tigerutide it only pausas.
|
Posted by Watched the Game on 05/01/2009
Had Bosingwa gotten the yellow card for the take down on Messi outside the box early in the game....i wonder how different the game wud have been? or the Second yellow Ballack was supposed to get? Chelsea's Team averages over 6 feet tall...they're all huge....and Barca is way below 6 ft. ....Chelseas only advantage was their size.....they had to use it.
|
Posted by Barry on 05/01/2009
your saying that Barca shoud stop crying, how can barca be called for the less than half the fouls called on Chelsea but end up with the same amount of tickets. Explian That!!!!!
|
Posted by Andy Mogaka on 05/01/2009
You park two buses in front of goal and claim to play good football? Hard to believe the beautiful game began in England
|
Posted by Cheerio on 05/01/2009
If barca is so good and like the best in the world. Then they should have stomped chelsea, but guess what, they did not. Barca is so overrated. They should not make it to the finals.
|
Posted by Esch on 05/01/2009
Listen chelsea is the only club this year to stop barca from scoring wether or not we did it with hard tackled or we did it by packing it in numbers are numbers and no one can deny that there was a 0 on the board for both sides. This is professional football take a tackle get up with a smile on your face and capatalize on opportunities. Im sure if barca scored on any of their attempts we wouldnt be hearing the complaints of whiney money spaniards
|
Posted by me on 05/01/2009
barca showed suppior class, thats the bottom line, they came to play and win, chelsea did not, fine, its a tactic. Chelsea however did prove that barca is better by both possession and shots on goal. Drogbas little "stint" was strictly because Marquez messed up, if that didn't happen chelsea may not have had a decent shot on goal in 90 min, try tell me that chelsea is better with stats like that.
|
Posted by abayomi on 05/01/2009
Chelsea fans you people you have to know that Barcelona are not your mate in football at all, am surprise that chelsea fans can still be talking this way. Barcelona teach Chelsea how to play football and i think they have learn that now. so they should come out and play the next match the way they were thought on tuesday by Barcelona, so barca can score them that is very sure......
|
Posted by Cinical Lucky on 05/01/2009
Barca are by no means the best TEAM in the world. They are only one of the best teams in the world. Chelsea didn't features more players than Barca, The ref is not a Chelsea fan. The field was not customized for Chelsea. If Barca had 89% ball possession and Chelsea could score a goal, what becomes the fate of Barca fans.
Up Blues !!!!!!!!!!!!1
|
Posted by Jason on 05/01/2009
Barce ,,,, for live... barce played good football and should have been rewarded with atleast 3 goals with the 3 clear cut chances, i bealieve that this is the game of football,, that they should have know Chelsea would come to play the kind of football they did and be prepared for that,,,even i knew that is how Chelsea would have come out to play,, i believe that we should stop complaining and adapt,,, an put Chelsea out with their slimmy tactics,, SCORE THE GOALSSSS, doesnt have to look pretty,, just put one in there an the job is done,,,,,As being rated the best team in form in the world right now we should be able to adjust to any type of play,,, score the goals,,,,,
|
Posted by dayo adeyemo on 05/01/2009
i am a chelsea fan, but to be honest with you guys fc barcelona played better in the first leg match...this is the plain truth. but, come to think of it, getting a draw from Nu Camp is not easy at all, i believe chelsea deserves a pat on the back for that, if we had played an attacking football on that day, it will be a different story cos we wuld have been embarrassed. in conclusion, i believe attacking football, defensive football are all football startegies and any coach is free to use it as long as it yields results. congratulation to all chelsea . BY Dayo Adeyemo. ABU ZARIA, NIGERIA.
|
Posted by Az on 05/01/2009
LOL brilliant.
It's only like soccernet paid this bloke to write something that would create loads of responses.
Oh wait...
|
Posted by clintchristopher on 05/01/2009
start playing football? there was only one team actually playing football, and it certainly wasn't chelsea.
|
Posted by JT... on 05/01/2009
Chelsea made Barca look goddamn ORDINARY and many of their fans just can't SWALLOW that fact!!
Who gives Barca the bloody RIGHT to score against every team?? Of course Chelsea weren't gona let Barca score so easily...you clowns have to WORK HARD for it and EARN it dammit!! You think this is some friendly match?? DUMB-ASSES.
I'm SO GLAD that Chelsea totally SILENCED the Nou Camp and to see those overrated Barca players FAIL to score in front of their spoilt home fans for the first time IN A YEAR.
Stop blaming Chelsea and the ref, instead ask yourselves how did Bojan and Eto'o missed those golden opportunities to score! ..MOANERS.
Oh and by the way, that effing PRICK Iniesta went down like a 2-dollar Spanish WHORE after only a slight tug by Ballack just outside the box.
Another f*ckhole was Alves! Talented player but with a crap attitude...always wanting to start a fight with the Chelsea boys. Just checkout his shitty face and arm-waving throughout the match!
COME ON CHELSEA..!!!
|
Posted by Ace on 05/01/2009
Football is not only about attacking. It is also a game about defending. SO FOR THOSE OF you out there who like high scoring game, GO WATCH BASKETBALL instead if you cannot accept a draw.
Stop complaining YOU anti-chelsea fans out there.
|
Posted by JB on 05/01/2009
Yes, Barca played beautifully. And yes, Chelsea parked a bus in the box and played to their strategy of not letting Barca put one in the net. But in the end, this is a simple point of strategy and in that regard Chelsea held true to their intent. The winner in this leg will be the side that holds true to their strategy in the next match. As a Blues follower, I was not happy with how we chose to play, but I was happy that we played as planned ... ugly as it was.
|
Posted by olayemi on 05/01/2009
barca shld stop crying.wat a big shame on them.
chelsea played a good defencive foothball.and let asumed that barca scored. no one will complain about chelsea dirty game.if am barca coach i will try and lean what they call cotsey.the wat so call coach insist that ref should have give ballack red card.that is not possible.chelsea will dimolish barca with there wat so call stylish football.am a true chelsea fan.blues 4 life.carry go.
|
Posted by Gary on 05/01/2009
Why have nobody mentioned the 2 wrongly called offsides on eto'o??
|
Posted by EGWUATU on 05/01/2009
Andy U deserve to be a fool at forty for believing that chelsea play the round leather and u are not ashame to say that Barca should start to play....i don't blame u bcos every chelsea fans beleive on kick and follow , without know the reason for football....don't be so happy that chelsea have opportunity until the 2nd leg is over...we will know what happens , if they will still defend in their own ground or to come out for a win that will finally spell chelsea with goals bcos Barcelona are equal to give 5goals if so called chelsea try attacking football,,,,they are a disgrace to england and world of football...shame to all chelsea fans ,,,,chelsea made me to stop watching football bcos i prefer wrestling than chelsea style of play....so Andy i think u need some medication to treat ur self b4 2nd leg... and watch sweet football of barca.
|
Posted by BRYRBY on 05/01/2009
i cant beleave barca r cry babies big bad barca i guest our tatics was better than theres
|
Posted by Melbster on 05/01/2009
For F***s sake, stop with the bloody crying. Chelsea did something no team has done this season: prevent Barca from scoring at the Camp Nou. It's called tactics, and it's what wins you trophies. Doing what you have to do. Entertaining football might be nice to look at, but it does not nessecarily win you anything. Chelsea found a way to keep a clean sheet against supposedly the best team in Europe, and now everyone's crying. Christ sake, grow a pair and handle the physicalty, or start playing golf.
|
Posted by anoop on 05/01/2009
Well, have to say it wasnt football. Chelsea were too defensive, I don't remember watching more than 4 yellow shirts in Barcelona half in entire match. But I was surprised Barca did not score a goal, I mean for the individual talent they have... But if Chelsea thinks they can do it at Bridge, they better stick to the plan they had in Camp Nou and hope Čech can save them when its time for penalties. Coz I cannot see any reason why Catalan giants cant score if Chelsea come forward. I would love to see an early Barcelona goal, that will make Chelsea move forward and Barca score few more :)
I hope russian millionaire is planning to let go some of his bucks this Jan and buy some fresh players who can go play football and score goals, not just against the likes of wolves and stoke but also against some heavy weights like Barca's and Milan's.
Lets hope Chelsea play some football and we get a cracker of a game with plenty of goals in second leg at Bridge
|
Posted by koko on 05/01/2009
Can anyone remember the finesse displayed by Greece when the won EURO or the style signature of the Azzuris in 1982 and 2006. Every strategy that makes no sense and inflicts pain to the opposition should regarded as very effective.
Or Maybe we may have to ask Napoleone Bonaparte how he relished the burning of a city by its monarch just in an attempt to frustrate the French Army. Leave Chelsea Alone. It has defined the ART OF BORING, YET EFFECTIVE FOOTBALL.
|
Posted by Chad on 05/02/2009
Andy , Football remains a spectator sport , and that performance by Chelsea must rank as the worst ever in the semi-finals of a major cup competition.. South Korea played better in a World Cup Semi-final and were thorough underdogs.. Outpossesed 71 - 29% , and this is a big team?.. I'm sorry , that was a pathetic performance that should have been punished.. You deserved to lose , and it is now my wish ( and I am a supporter of neither club) , that for the sake of football , you lose the second leg or better yet , a draw other than 0-0 , and you go home home.. Tell me then about tatics..Parking a bus requires no real coaching skill , just commitment.. Highly paid players should play the game.. Spectators pay a lot of money to watch thow teams play , not a 90 minute training session of attackers versus defenders..Pathetic , I tell you , Pathetic...
|
Posted by simun on 05/02/2009
What Esch said is right. you cant go on complaining about Chelsea's style of play during the game. No goals allowed at Camp Nou,is a great accomplishment. In fact being the only team to do so makes them pretty good no? In this case u have to be conservative of who you think is gonna win the second leg. You cant go on blasting another the other team just because there facing your favourite team.Chelsea didnt play the most exciting game, but at tyhe end of the day they got a great result. Not going overboard saying that barca needs to start playing football because they sure as hell play one of the best attacking games in the world. Hiddnick played a very defensive game, and is saying he will attack at stamford bridge. We will just have to see if he's a man of his words or if his defensive tactic was just luck. But in my opinion i think that chelsea is gonna leave stamford bridge with a great result, not saying this jus because im a chelsea fan.
|
Posted by simun on 05/02/2009
Tactics are a veyr important part of football, and thats were chelsea will be succesful. You can complain about there boring game but, in the end of the day the results are all that matter. They play for themselves and there fans no one else( those are the only people who find there gasme exciting no matter which way its played) Lets not say to much though we will have to see what takes place on wednesday.
|
Posted by CHONG on 05/02/2009
Well I suppose Andy Thorton should turn his career to Rugby commentator, where tackling is everything.
Andy would you prefer to watch Chelsea playing that kind of football all season long? I presume you are highly entertained by Chelsea's style that night.
Barcelona is a beautiful team playing beautiful football. And you ask them to "PLAY FOOTBALL?" They are on a totally different league compared to Chelsea.
I understand that Chelsea didn't stand a chance at all at Nou Camp, that's why they had to gamble. Tackling & shirt pulling and try to walk away from yellow and red cards. It wasn't pretty but reckoned that their did their job well.
| |
