Look, this defeat comes down to this (besides unlucky/sloppy finishing): We were safe where we ought to have taken risks. First, tactics. Pep started with 3 CBs when Chelsea clearly was playing with only Drogba up top. So there was always at least one defender that was surplus to needs. People criticize the 3-4-3. It should have been effectively a 2-5-3 we were playing. That's the tactical/personnel side. In the actual game, we RARELY if ever tried to attack quickly before Chelsea got set in bunker mode. This is how we scored in the Clasico and how our 2 goals in this game came about: a quick move that imploded their defense and got them running at their own goal. It seemed like in the 2nd half vs. Chelsea, when we really needed not a Plan B but just a mix of attacks and tempos, we always brought the ball out of the back cautiously and SLOWLY. Chelsea did not bunker the entire 90'. They applied high pressure when the ball was in our defensive end. They were stretched out in these moments, and we didn't exploit that lack of defensive shape. Our slow build-ups ensured more precious possession as time was running short, but it also provided very low chance of scoring. If we had risked more long passes through midfield, we might've lost the ball sometimes, but we also might've caught them out before they could contain us. This is key to beating LPB again because Mou thinks he has solved the problem in the same way: a 2-wave combination of high pressure and bus-parking.
Naughtius sounds like a quality chap. He makes similar observations to mine above. Cheers to him and the Chelsea supporters. I hope at the very least now Chelsea fans can reflect on the 2009 game to acknowledge that football rewards those who take their chances, however few.
'Minus the fact that Greece's national team isn't comprised of a bunch of prima donnas nor did they have a russian sugar daddy to splash 500 million over a couple of years to by them trophies... Yea, the perfect analogy...
Blimey, I wonder what the odds were on neither Barca or LPB making the CL final. In the space of 2 days we've seen Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka miss penalties. I will be cheering on Bayern in the final. I hate Chlesea.
Ronaldo and Messi both played well this season, it simply lack of luck for both in that semifinal. Ronaldo scored twice yesterday and has 10 goals in CL. Messi assisted the second goal ,hit the post & sidenetting and has 14 goals in CL. Things simply didnt go well for the team. If Barca didnt conceided two goals, everyone would have talking about Iniesta and Messi again.
In yesterday's game LPB went 2-0 up and then seemed to completely lose the ploy and after that Bayern pretty much controlled the game, could/should have scored a 2nd but always seemed confident that they would win it on penalties. In a way they seemed to lose the plot because they became very cautious (the Moanhio affect) after they went 2-0 in front, where as we conceded a crucial goal just before half time on Tuesday because we we're too gung ho. Either way we're both out! Bayern seem tio have the same hold over LPB that Chelsea seem to have over us, weird. It's going to be a strange end to the season, the title is decided but the remaining games have to seen out, going to be a pretty flat atmosphere at the Nou Camp. Oh well, look forward to the Copa Del Rey final and prepare for next season.
Well, cant expect major thropies every season I guess, especially after all the harvest since 2005. Also, they managed to win 6 thropies in a season few years ago with Messi winning Ballon D'or too. That's already perfect a achievement in club football. After some more rest hopefully they will perform very well in copa final cause I think the el classico takes it toll on both teams.
Seriously, LFP should take the UEFA dates into consideration while scheduling El Clasico. Last year we had to play eachother between CL semifinal as well and this year same thing happened, which definetly affected both teams performance in both leg. UEFA's date are fixed and it should not be a problem for the LFP to avoid scheduling El Clasico between the CL quarterfinal or semifinal, a date between the quarters and semis will be the best option for me.
We had a man advantage, and Chelsea isn't as good as Bayern. We could have looked for a third goal while controlling the game and protecting our back line more. I really do think we screwed it up tactically.
I think Real never had the plot. The first goal came very quick. After that they were already being outplayed. Robben missed the sitter. On a Bayern mistake, they scored the 2nd within 20 mins. I think Real were going to be outplayed regardless of the first goal.
The away goals rule I think also played on Madrid psychologically. In the first half both teams were going all out and generating tonnes of chances. But after half-time Madrid knew that if Bayern got a 2nd goal they'd be in shit creek without a paddle and that caused them to be super/overly cautious.
actually it should be la liga who should be more flexible with their scheduling. I am sure if UEFA would have to account to clasico's scheduling, they would have to account for all the derby's in all the leagues all over UEFA all around. so I think UEFA to keep fairness, should keep the same scheduling as it is, but the individual league should change it should it see it fit
Watching these is brutal: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-gq7zqpFLY"]Barcelona Missed Goal Chances? in UCL Semi-Final vs Chelsea - YouTube[/ame] The kick save on Messi was really good and the stop on Puyol's header was world class, but most of these misses are on our players, especially Busquets's Sergio Ramos impression. That link via @BarcaStuff.
It was terrible defending our part to allow their 1st goal, by the whole team, they had 2 players in our half yet still scored. We should have had 10 players behind the ball running down the clock to half time.
Barca had Chelsea on the ropes and a 3rd goal would've killed them before Chelsea had a chance to re-group at halftime. Two goals was never going to be safe. Obviously they shouldn't have left themselves totally exposed, but it would've been equally dumb to go into ultra-conservative mode/10 players behind the ball.
Well you know with our defence we would have needed 2 goal cushion. It is being widely being reported that Pep will walk away at the end of the season, surprised he is leaving under these circumstances, thought he would have stayed for another season. Wish him all the best and thanks for everything.
I was pretty taken aback by that Gomez miss, he usually puts those away no difficulty. Once it went to penalties, I was fairly confident the Germans would go through.