PBP: Champions League, Matchday 1: Chelsea v. Valencia

Discussion in 'Chelsea' started by Brock Hannsen, Sep 16, 2019.

  1. Brock Hannsen

    Brock Hannsen Member+

    Feb 3, 2014
    Hartford, CT
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Chelsea v. Valencia
    September 17, 2019
    Stamford Bridge, 3PM EST
    Video: B/R Live; Radio: Chelsea app? Not sure.

    Chelsea are back on the big stage and face Valencia in their first Champions League action since March 14, 2018, losing to Barcelona 3-0 in the Round of 16 (4-1 agg). A fast start in a group also including Ajax and Lille would be welcome, especially at home.

    Our history with Valencia is all of six games - dating back to April 2007, a 1-1 draw. We've not lost to Valencia and have an overall record of 3W-3D against The Oranges. They qualified by finishing 4th in La Liga with 61 points, behind Barca, Atletico, and Real. They did, however, win the Copa del Rey, which is interesting because their recently-fired manager, Marcelino Garcia Toral, thinks this is what caused his sacking. On the note of that sacking, the Valencia players are in silent protest leading up to this match. Interesting. They currently sit in 13th place with 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses after losing 5-2 to Barcelona.

    Chelsea also had a 5-2 result, albeit in their favor, after thrashing Wolves away from home. We currently sit in 6th place (technically a 5-way tie for third based on goal differential).

    Rudiger is out (groin) and Kante, CHO, and James are not match-ready, according to Lampard.

    C'mon Blues.
     
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  2. Wrath

    Wrath Member+

    May 4, 2007
    New York
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Won't risk Kante for this. We need him against Pool.
     
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  3. StamfordBridgeLions

    Chelsea FC
    Sep 4, 2016
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Emerson Palmieri also continues to be out.

    We are at home. Therefore we should be more attacking, BUT. . . .Do we continue with wing backs and Christensen, Tomori and Zouma OR do we just go with Tomori and AC and Dave and Alonso in a back four? Emerson makes more sense in a back 4 and he is not available.

    But I would still go with.

    4-3-3

    Willian Tammy Abraham Christian Pulisic

    Kovacic and Mason Mount

    Jorginho

    Cesar Azpilicueta Tomori Andreas Christensen Marcos Alonso

    Kepa Arrizabalaga
     
  4. Kazuma

    Kazuma Member+

    Chelsea
    Jul 30, 2007
    Detroit
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Valencia, good times against them. Essien with that awesome winner all those years ago.
     
  5. Yahtzee

    Yahtzee Member+

    Nov 4, 2013
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Back when Villa was killing it for them. Dope times indeed.

    I like our chances.
     
  6. Brock Hannsen

    Brock Hannsen Member+

    Feb 3, 2014
    Hartford, CT
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Valencia's new manager is pretty green - even more of a rookie than maybe Lamps. Albert Celades. Seems he hitched up with Lopetgui at Spain and then again for the brief stint at Madrid as an assistant.

    Spain U16
    Spain U21
    Spain U17
    Spain (assistant)
    Real Madrid
    Valencia

    Great winning % over 41 games, but again, how can you not with Spain.
     
  7. Kazuma

    Kazuma Member+

    Chelsea
    Jul 30, 2007
    Detroit
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    They were a decent team to watch through the 2000s. Canizares, Aimar, Silva, Mata, Ayala.
     
  8. StamfordBridgeLions

    Chelsea FC
    Sep 4, 2016
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    "I'm confident but very aware of the dangers," Frank said.

    "Our target is to qualify from a tough group. It is different [from league football]; the main thing is that the concentration levels throughout the game have to be spot on. The different level can surprise you.

    "I have belief in the players. I think we have talent that can blossom in the Champions League.
     
  9. StamfordBridgeLions

    Chelsea FC
    Sep 4, 2016
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Rudiger out injured. I would like to see Christensen and Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori at the CB.
     
  10. yasik19

    yasik19 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chelsea
    Ukraine
    Oct 21, 2004
    Daly City
    I'd like to see Giroux or Michy get a run...Tammy is probably getting tired.
     
  11. Brock Hannsen

    Brock Hannsen Member+

    Feb 3, 2014
    Hartford, CT
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    He's 21 and a striker who is scoring. Play him!

    Tomori is starting tonight.
     
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  12. Brock Hannsen

    Brock Hannsen Member+

    Feb 3, 2014
    Hartford, CT
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
  13. Brock Hannsen

    Brock Hannsen Member+

    Feb 3, 2014
    Hartford, CT
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Pulisic gulp. Boy needs to step it up.
     
  14. Blueallthru

    Blueallthru Member+

    Chelsea
    United States
    May 15, 2012
    The Interwebz
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    As long as we play with Alonso, we have to play this way. Fine by me. There will be goals tjough....
     
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  15. Yahtzee

    Yahtzee Member+

    Nov 4, 2013
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    3 in the back almost exclusively down to the fact that Kova/Jorginho is a garbage pivot.

    Semi-surprised to not see Pul. Reality is Frank seemed to like Willian last game and Mount played well. There's competition in the squad.
     
  16. StamfordBridgeLions

    Chelsea FC
    Sep 4, 2016
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    #16 StamfordBridgeLions, Sep 17, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2019
    Good to see Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori at the CB.

    A more cautious line up with the wing backs. Without Rudiger, Emerson and Kante, 3 CB's makes sense. Pulisic will get some time tonight and I also fancy him against the scousers at the weekend.
     
  17. Blueallthru

    Blueallthru Member+

    Chelsea
    United States
    May 15, 2012
    The Interwebz
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    I have no qualms with this setup. For me it has more to do with Alonso than anything else. Assuming no injuries, I hope to see both Pulisic and Pedro along with say Michy to run at tired legs.
     
  18. Kazuma

    Kazuma Member+

    Chelsea
    Jul 30, 2007
    Detroit
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Ride the hot hand as they say.
     
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  19. Blueallthru

    Blueallthru Member+

    Chelsea
    United States
    May 15, 2012
    The Interwebz
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Exactly this. 7 in 3, yeah, he was always going to start.
     
  20. Kerry Dixon's Boots

    Staff Member

    Jun 6, 2006
    77 degrees
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    I don't know lads, all those goal celebrations must take their toll on the body at some point :D
     
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  21. Brock Hannsen

    Brock Hannsen Member+

    Feb 3, 2014
    Hartford, CT
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
  22. yasik19

    yasik19 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chelsea
    Ukraine
    Oct 21, 2004
    Daly City
    I'd rather him be fresh for Pool.
     
  23. Kerry Dixon's Boots

    Staff Member

    Jun 6, 2006
    77 degrees
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Back in the Champions League where we belong, very exciting. An excellent, competitive group with no easy nights but one we have a good enough squad to qualify from if they perform.

    I'm not as concerned about the Jorg/Kova tandem in this competition though they clearly have work to do in the league to create space for themselves and close space for the opposition. Shouldn't be as much a factor in Europe.

    Pulisic to be an impact sub tonight!
     
  24. Blueallthru

    Blueallthru Member+

    Chelsea
    United States
    May 15, 2012
    The Interwebz
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Honestly, he'll play against Pool regardless. He played Championship football last season, they have 46 league matches. This isn't anything new for him.
     
  25. nicephoras

    nicephoras A very stable genius

    Fucklechester Rangers
    Jul 22, 2001
    Eastern Seaboard of Yo! Semite
    Much more likely because our only fit left back is Alonso, who does his best work by far as a fullback.
    Lampard started the season with a Jorginho/Kovacic pivot and changed that only after Emerson got hurt.
     

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