Champions League: Quarterfinals - Leg 2 - April 14, 2009 - Chelsea FC v. Liverpool FC [R]

One bad game does not equal needing a rest. Especially against Liverpool. A suspension is never good. Should Cech be suspended too?Because he was just as at fault if not more so. JT being out is a huge blow and I think we can only be happy that he's suspended for this match and not at Camp Nou or something.

 

I agree with your lineup with the exception of replacing Ballack with Mikel. Why would Hiddink omit Ballack, who played well against Pool in the first leg and had an excellent game against Bolton? By the way Terry is not playing so I guess Alex will fill in for him.

 

Excellent and well are overstatements. He was decent against Bolton and okay against Liverpool. Mikel needs playing time.

 

I get to miss this thanks to a tennis match. Gonna record and not checking my phone at all till I've seen it.

I expect us to not allow them to score at all. Hiddink's no fool, and we will not screw up this HUGE opportunity to go straight into the semi finals.

 

It may not be my place to say, but needing playing time does not justify playing someone in a very, very important game.

If it was the FA Cup, i'd understand, but not in a very, very big game.

 

Fine then I'll just say it Mikel is simply the better player right now and Ballack has been playing poorly this season.

 

Mikel is twice the player Ballack is these days.

 

I wouldn't disagree, but saying Mikel should play just for the sake of playing him is not good reasoning. Saying Mikel should play because he is a better player or because he offers something different from a tactical standpoint is good reasoning.

And, good luck. Hope you lot go through

 

He got 90 minutes 3 days ago??

 

In the first leg against Pool, Essien and Ballack gradually took over in midfield and Pool were forced back. Torres was isolated and Gerrard denied space thanks to Essien.

If Mikel needs playing time this is not the game to get it.

 

Just imagine what his next game will be like. Judging by this pattern, he should be even better tommorow. Anyhow, Hiddink will start the player who is playing better right now.

He was until last wednesday when Zee German regained some form finally.

 

Compared to Ballack, Cech needs more playing time.

I expect Ballack will get the nod, though.

 

The Champions League is the poor man's FA Cup. English clubs dominate both tournaments. . .

 

This will be an interesting way to asses the real capability of Mr.Goose Hiddink. The same team - more or less - would be logical. Liverpool have to come and attack, so us counter-attacking also logical. But I wonder if Goose has anything else up his sleeve any other tactical innovation. Play both Anelka and Drogba perhaps? Keep Liverpool on their toes. Mix it up a little? How daring will Goose be? Lots of free-kicks and corners please.

Bosingwa fit? Essien fit? etc., etc.

Will Raffa persist with zonal marling I wonder.

 

Conspiracy theory time:

The ref we have gives me an ominous feeling.

1. This is the same ref that sent off Deco for taking a free kick too early.

2. The ref is Spanish. Liverpool has several Spaniards on their coaching staff and their first team. Throw in the assistants too.

3. Usually I hate resorting to these things, but this just reeks.

 

Well Benitez is not one to attack away from home in the first leg of a 2 leg tie but he is not averse to attacking when he has no option.

Seeing as how no matter what Liverpool have to score 3 goals they cannot sit back. I think they will really come at us and try to get an early goal or 2 to unsettle us.

But have to agree it will be exciting.

 

But in all likelyhood the next game is against a Spanish team so we are screwed but ........


actually Barca fans would be rather insulted to be described as Spanish so if the ref is Castillian we are ok again.

 

Erm, Frankie broke up with his Spanish fiancee !

 

I am not up with the court circular, so did Frankie not leave in the summer because he broke up with her or did she break up with him becuase he did not leave in the summer?

Come to think of it I don't really care.

 

Umm, by scoring a goal more than us?

 

I think its the same ref who took england vs russia in moscow.
gave the russians a critical penalty for a dive outside the box.