11/26/03 Champions League Matchday 5: Chelsea v. Sparta Prague v. Chelsea 9 Besiktas 6 Sparta 4 Lazio 4 Lazio v. Besiktas in the other Group G match 7:45PM Local 2:45PM EST No US TV UK: Sky Sports Live on Big Blue ChelseaFC.com News on Soccernet TEAMtalk-Chelsea BBC-Chelsea
Starting right back? Well with young Johnson out for sheer stupidity in the last round there is a spot in the starting line up for grabs. I would have to think that Melchiot got the start on Saturday to get some match fitness for the Sparta game. Importent game here, with qualification for the next round beckoning, without the somewhat dangerous(!) trip to Turkey being key. I would be highly surprised if the team that beat Lazio and Newcastle-with the exception of Johnson-isn't on the pitch at the kick off.
I would like to think Chelsea should defeat Sparta 2-0, or 2-1. We have been playing fairly well and with thrashing wins over Newcastle and Lazio, I expect (as Clanblue has) that we will field the same team. Melchiot would be a good replacement and yes I do think that Johnson was pretty unlucky to get booked. He has had such a great start to his career at Chelsea, playing for England a week or so ago and I think he could become a future captain of the club. Go the Blues!
3-0 to Chelsea and a 1-1 draw for Lazio/Besiktas ensuring Chelsea win the group, allowing for us to rest whomever we need to in the last group stage match.
Okay, well.. I see now that it's almost time for the foregone conclusion that is today's game. Pat Arnold; Not gonna be pretty! Todd O'Conner: Blues! Superfans: Blues!! Bill Swerski: Now, gentlemen, let me ask you this: What if Da Blues were all 14 inches tall, you know, about so high? Now, what's your score of today's game? Carl Wollarski: Against Da Czechs? Bill Swerski: Yes, give 'em a handicap. Carl Wollarski: Blues 2, Czechs 1. And that would finally be a good game. Pat Arnold: Yeah, it would be a good game. Mini Blues 1, Czechs 0. Todd O'Conner: What about Ranieri? Would he be mini, too? Bill Swerski: No, he would be full-grown. Todd O'Conner: Oh, then, uh.. Mini Blues 4, Czechs 0. Carl Wollarski: Oh, hold on. Then I change mine, too. I thought it was Mini Ranieri. Bill Swerski: Okay, gentlemen, another scenario: Da Blues, they don't make it, the bus is delayed.. and the only one who shows up is Ranieri. Ranieri vs. Da Czechs. Okay, score, gentlemen. Pat Arnold: Alright, I gotta say Ranieri 2, Czechs 0. He just barely gets by. Bill Swerski: Alright, that sounds exciting. Perhaps, you know, a late Sparta own goal. Todd O'Conner: Blues! Superfans: Blues!! [ Vaclav Havel enters round table discussion ] Bill Swerski: Hey! As you fans know, sports celebrities like to frequent Stamford Bridge. And former poet and Czech President, Vaclav Havel has just sat down with us. Now, Vaclav.. what would the point spread be for a game like that? Ranieri vs. Da Czechs. Now, remember, it's only Ranieri, not the regular Blues team. Vaclav Havel: Okay. I'm gonna say Sparta by about.. [ thinking ] ..800. Bill Swerski: Great, Vaclav. Now, are you from Prague? Carl Wollarski: He lives in Prague, eh, Pat? Bill Swerski: You like it there. You can stay there, as far as I'm concerned. Vaclav Havel: No, it's just that.. it's one guy, you know- Bill Swerski: Yeah, that's alright. Just take your crack pipe and go home! Get outta here, Vaclav! Todd O'Conner: Yeah, go shoot somebody with a gun! [ Vaclav Havel exits the room ] Bill Swerski: Alright, now let's get back to our discussion. Blues vs. the Assembled Choir of Heavenly Angels. Pat Arnold: The whole choir? Bill Swerski: Well, Saraphone, Jerebone - the whole nine yards. Pat Arnold: Angels. Carl Wollarski: Angels, but it's close. Todd O'Conner: Blues! Bill Swerski: Alright. Ranieri vs. God in a golf match. Now, he's a good golfer. Pat Arnold: Ranieri. Todd O'Conner: Ran-i-eri! Carl Wollarski: Ranieri. Bill Swerski: Well, I see they're setting up the 40-foot screen, so I guess it's game time. Now, you enjoy the game, folks. Now, remember, next week - Blues - Red Devils. Alright, now Blues vs Winston Churchill in a debate, what do you think? Superfans: Da Blues!! Da Blues!
That's an absolute classic. I can almost picture it.... Back to the match, Petit and Veron out through injury, Makalele is a match time decision. Johnson out through suspension for the red against Lazio.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/3236724.stm 'France's Claude Makelele could ease the growing midfield crisis if he passes a late fitness test on a neck injury.' Good job we bought all those midfielders isn't it.
TV UK - live on Sky Sports 2. US - this one is on at my local viewing place but on 2-hour tape delay. Probably another South American feed, check your local watering hole elsewhere in the US.
Nobody does it like Summers.... Having a listening party at my house this afternoon followed by 4 days off.... Good start to a long Chelsea weekend
I've finally taken the dive and signed up for BigBlueTV today. Anybody confirm when the game is replayed on the Internet? Is it available to download and watch whenever? Go Blues! Loads of chances so far, it looks like the first half will end 0-0.
From midnight British time, you can download a condensed version, usually 3-5 minutes of highlights. Not bad...unlike this game which is currently 0-0.
Seems like this game could well go down as the worst game of the year. It's looking like a 0-0, although, I am tipping Gudjohnsen to fire home an 88th minute winner. Carn, Blues!
Full time Sparta Prague 0 - Chelsea 0 Chelsea are through. Chelsea 10 Besiktas 7 Sparta Prague 5 Lazio 5
That was tedious game! The end could not come soon enough. Loads of pointless possession in our half, no one in the opponents pen area. They could have played till Sunday and still not scored.
Some highlights on FSW What a cheeky goal that back heel would have been if it had of gone in eh? Better finishing will be needed to take all three against United on Sunday. I was on 606 earlier and they said that the performance, on the whole, was "flat' and the same on Sunday could result in a first league defeat at home. Were we really that bad? I only caught the second half on the radio and it seemed that we were all over them. Lack of playing time causing MUTU to miss a simply glorious chance to win it? One would expect better from a 15 million quid striker.
Finally we have advanced, I did think Mutu would of scored that gimme, but what ya gonna do? I disagree, Mutu is the prized pick by Chelski over the break and is got a good future going for him, if he stays here. Great stuff guys, now on2 the tougher teams, hopefully we can hold aloft some kind of cup by the end of 2003-04 Go the Blues!
Re: Some highlights on FSW Well we were all over them, that is partly why it was so frustrating and as for the cheeky back heel if he tried a normal shot we would be already top of group and not need a result against Besiktas. We were too elaborate again. Mind you I believe the offside goal was a bit Harsh.
I was at the Chelsea vs. Sparta Praha game. The Czech fans, like their team, were loud and enthusiastic. That is far more than can be said for Chelsea, who should have destroyed Sparta. It is all very well saying that Mutu could have scored but there were a number of opportunities where he had no support, or the attack just fell flat. Last night, Chelsea had zero focus. If that is the way they continue to play, their next game will also be their last one in this year's CL.
Well, no matter what happens in our next game it wont be our last fella I highly doubt that "zero focus' will be the way that Chelsea continue to play, in fact, i would say that by the time we face the Turks we will again be acknowledged to be the best footballing side in England. Now, on to the biz of putting you lot in your place on Sunday. A Man U fan in London...LOL
Bet you haven't, unless you work there (Do you get the feeling that I might be a genuine Man U fan ?)