Administrator Stan Posted February 18, 2018 Administrator Share Posted February 18, 2018 Kick-off 19.45 Info The last time these 2 sides met in the Champions League, Fernando Torres scored a memorable goal in the away leg to ensure Chelsea won 3-2 on aggregate. In the 12 times they've played each other in the competition, 35 goals have been scored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carefreeluke Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 3-5-2 could just end up with us being pressed and pinned in and has the potential to be bleak to watch from our point of view, the same could happen with the 3-4-3 but it gives us more variety and options with build up play and transitions. At the same time no matter how we play or set up I can see Barca giving us more space to exploit on the counter and more opportunities in general. Two players I think that could help us a lot tomorrow are out, Bakayoko and Luiz. I have no problems with us playing defensively (which is something that's worked well for us in the past in this competition) as long as we're still an attacking threat. We simply can't sit deep for long periods tomorrow night, more often and not this is caused by the opposition but it's essential we're clever enough to manage these periods and find solutions to get up the pitch. If this happens tomorrow night and we're caught sitting deep for too long I'm going to go mental, Arsenal away second half in the cup was one of the most frustrating things to watch. For fuck sake, be brave and push up the pitch, don't let Barcelona control the game. We need to take the initiative tomorrow, sitting deep etc is fine if it's for short periods but for the most part we need to take the initiative tomorrow night. Managing this situation is going to be where the game is won or lost from our point of view. Very interested to see how this pans out tactically, avoiding an away goal would be a massive boost. Because of my work situation in Spain (I teach in the evenings) I'm going to miss the first half as is usual for me if any game is played mid-week, will get in the bar at half time. Anyway I'm nervous. Barca are rightly favourites to go through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True Blue Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 We can sit back and hope for a good counter with 3-5-2 but if we do it for 90 minutes we will lose. Think the 3-4-3 is a bit too open for an attacking side like Barcelona, no clue what to expect really. They aren't unbeatable and we aren't no where near the best we can be. However hope the big stage brings out the best out of them all and we at least perform well. If we win home no matter by which result i will get my hopes high. Hell even a goalless draw wouldn't be bad (no way it will be goalless), however any active result would be okay. We never won at the Nou Camp and Barcelona managed a single win at the Bridge out of 15 games we ever played. Think Christensen might struggle against the likes of Suarez who is World Class but also a dirty player who is a constant threat. I wouldn't mind Conte to start Giroud as well, he is very physical and adapted well to our system because he is the type of striker that Conte loves. If Alonso isn't fit i'd definitely start Emerson as even tough it was only Hull City he was excellent. I'd go with -----------------------------------------------Courtois-------------------------------------------------- Azpilicueta--------------------------Christensen------------------------------------Rudiger Moses----------Drinkwater--------Kante--------Fabregas---------------------Alonso ----------------------------------------------Hazard---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------Morata---------------------------------------------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carefreeluke Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Yeah mate it's been playing in my head for a while what system to play, see the drawbacks of both. The Arsenal 2nd leg in the cup, we need to see more the performance of the first half tactically rather than the second, to use the cliche that was truly a game of two halves. I would be more comfortable with the 3-4-3 for this game if Bakayoko and Luiz were available to play alongside Kante. Then again the 3-4-3 gives us a much better platform to press high up the pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True Blue Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 I wouldn't be for the option sit and wait until they score a few and then open up. Play to win from the start, in games like these little elements get win. We have to have our back line on the very top tomorrow night, if not i fear things could be done in the first leg. Also i feel it will be crucial to get the first goal, for the motivation and for the performance. A top Chelsea performance tomorrow required anything bellow that and we won't get much from this. Also Barcelona are heavy favorites for this one which could be great for us in a way. Agreed on Bakayoko too but in his current state of mind when your our fans slag you on the social media and certain fans boo your wrong passes doubt he would have a good game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNORTHODOX Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Fancy Chelsea to nick this, They have had a bit of a wobble but they have won their last few games comfortably and seem to be back in form again. I will go with a 2-1 win for Chelsea with Barca absolutely dicking them in the second leg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicero Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Conte to surprise everyone and start Giroud and Morata Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicero Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 1 hour ago, carefreeluke said: Yeah mate it's been playing in my head for a while what system to play, see the drawbacks of both. The Arsenal 2nd leg in the cup, we need to see more the performance of the first half tactically rather than the second, to use the cliche that was truly a game of two halves. I would be more comfortable with the 3-4-3 for this game if Bakayoko and Luiz were available to play alongside Kante. Then again the 3-4-3 gives us a much better platform to press high up the pitch. What's difficult about this is that under our spine of Cech, Terry, Lampard, and Drogba, we knew that they would make the game closer than it should despite the gulf in class. With this current bunch, it's hard to say how it will go. Me personally, I'd stick with the 3-5-2, but Willian in midfield instead of Cesc. You look at Barca's midfield and it doesn't really scream pace with the likes of Busquest, Iniesta, and Rakitic. Giroud ahead of Morata for me as well, as you just have to look at what a 34 year old Drogba did and the damage he caused Barca both legs with his hold up play. Giroud-----Hazard Willian Emerson-----Drinkwater----Kante----Moses Rudiger---Courtois---Azpilicueta Courtois Hope for the best, and if we do lose that there is zero controversy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True Blue Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Not sure that Courtois can be the goalkeeper and the center back this game mate, but you really rate him highly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicero Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Probably didn't have my coffee yet when I wrote that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cicero Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Hazard as a false 9 and Cesc in a two man midfield. Possibly the two worst methods based on our system, both being implemented tonight. Really can't comprehend as to why a striker isn't on the pitch for us. Zero optimism after seeing that and very dissapointed. Going to be a long night and a very tough shift for Kante. I'm out lads, i'll post after the match! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted February 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted February 20, 2018 23 minutes ago, Cannabis said: Fisrt goalscorer @Stan? the firts goalscorer will be the firts player to put the ball in the net firts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 1 minute ago, Cannabis said: Glad you said it firts before anyone else could get there firts. @Spike you wanna guess seocnd? Hzard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Artful Dodger Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Despite Barcelona's lead in La liga I'm not convinced this side can go all the way in Europe. The gap in 2012 was much greater than it is now. Having said that, with no striker it seems a little conservative to me. If Barcelona get an away goal I think they'll progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Artful Dodger Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Flag waving wankers, fuck off Chelsea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 24 minutes ago, The Artful Dodger said: Flag waving wankers, fuck off Chelsea. Too many things seem to irritate you my friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Chelsea have done more with 25% possession than Barcelona with 75% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 How the fuck has Paulinho blagged his way in to this team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted February 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted February 20, 2018 3 minutes ago, The Palace Fan said: How the fuck has Paulinho blagged his way in to this team. he's actually been pretty decent in La Liga. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 this fucking ref has constantly been in the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 You know it’s a big game when Chelsea put them pathetic flags on the seats for their fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Gonzo Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 It's weird watching Chelsea in Europe and not wanting them to lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted February 20, 2018 Author Administrator Share Posted February 20, 2018 Willian hits the post from just outside the box! Ter Stegen was flat footed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 8 minutes ago, Stan said: he's actually been pretty decent in La Liga. So was Loic Remy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 It always does my head hiw wound up people get over Chelsea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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