Chelsea v. Lille Tuesday, December 9 2019 Stamford Bridge, 3:00PM EST TV: None that I can tell. TNT are showing Milan v. Barca So it all comes down to this. The final match of the group stages and we're playing the worst (but still dangerous) team in the group - at home. How will we manage to ******** this up? Ajax (10pts) Valencia (8pts) Chelsea (8pts) Lille (1pt) -Ajax will go through if they draw, or if Chelsea fail to beat Lille. -Valencia will go through if they beat Ajax, or as long as they finish at least level on points with Chelsea due to their superior head-to-head record. -Chelsea will go through if they beat Lille or if they draw and Valencia lose to Ajax. Rudiger is eligible for selection but Tomori is out along with Giroud. I can't imagine Abraham being 100% after the knock he took on his hurt hip/back, but we'll see. Form in all competitions since the international break: Chelsea: LDLWL (losses to City, West Ham, and Everton; win against Villa; draw against Valencia) Lille: LLWWW (losses to PSG, Ajax, wins against Lyon, Brest, Dijon)
We have to win. I didn't actually think that Lille were a bad side at all. This has been a very very tough group. WE win and we do not have to worry about any other result, a draw and we have start looking hopefully at the Ajax and Valencia game. "It is good to have him back and he is training really well," said Lampard. But will he be paying on Tuesday? Frank Lampard says there is a "chance" the German could feature. re-cap
In the first away game at Lille. We played with wing backs. 3-4-2-1 to deal with the fact that they are fast counter-attacking side. Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta (c), Zouma, Tomori; James (Hudson-Odoi 66), Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Willian (Pedro 84), Mount (Kovacic 87); Abraham I wonder what shape-formation we will adopt?
Yep. Will he start? Apparently Tomori has been carrying a hip injury - possibly explains why he's been out of the team. He'll miss Lille game according to Lamps. Tomori and Christensen or Zouma? Or all 3?
Don't like the idea of starting a player right away after such a long injury, but if Fik is not available, then its gotta be Rudi and AC. Zouma really shouldn't play for us again unless its absolutely necessary
Assuming Lamps goes with the 4-2-3-1 again I guess I'd like to see: Kepa James--Rudiger--Christensen--Emerson Kovacic--Jorginho--Kante Willian---------------Pulisic ------------Abe---------------
random good news, today's match is BR's featured free match of the day. so you can stream it for free online (or at least on the app is where i'm seeing it). it's usually 2.99/game. or monthly pass obviously. so take advantage and watch it for free since it's not on TV. https://live.bleacherreport.com/ https://live.bleacherreport.com/soccer/soccer-tournament/events/losc-lille-chelsea-fc/74766
Emerson in with Rudi & Zouma and Az; Jorginho is in with Kante Kov Pul and Willian with Pul join Tammy officially
pulisic with another dribble i thought was going nowhere but instead gets to the touchline for another pull back that forces a corner, then we score on that corner. also, i'm not sure it was intentional, but pulisic pulled his marker out of the way for dave to attack that corner.
Pul comes off to a standing ovation. Didn't score or assist, but was instrumental in both goals and had some really good passages of play. I'm glad Frank is giving him a bit of a rest before the weekend.
Another match that somehow went right to the death after it should have been put comfortably to bed. There are some serious structural issues at the moment that require attention. Not sure what the fix is and genuinely hope we dont try to overpay in the january window but clearly ongoing problems with closing out results with authority. Through to the last 16 though and that's a massive plus (even though we rode our luck on multiple occasions).