Well I will have to be at work -- once again I am DVRing this. I hope that we can pull off a miracle. But lets start like Gerrard said Alex Miller told them walking back to the pitch in Istanbul, "Let's get one back for them", referring to the travelers singing YNWA down 3 at the half. Let it start there and see what happens. What ever else happens they can never buy class, history, and the brotherhood of Reds the worldwide.
I hear that Gerrard is not in the squad, never mind the bench. I bet Benitez knew this all along and was leading a few down the gardden path. This will be interesting because 4-2-3-1 is of limited use.
Im fully confident that Lucas can lead the charge just like Steve woulda....... Babels on the bench. "WaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllthewayfromVladimerSmicer. And Thats More Like It From Istan-Bull!!" Steve Hunter 05. Walk on.
------------Reina Arbeloa--Skrtel--Carra--Aurelio -----------Alonso--Masch Kuyt---------Lucas-------Benayoun --------------Torres Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Riera, Babel, Ngog. I can't understand Lucas' inclusion at all. I would have chosen either Riera or Babel.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Kuyt, Lucas, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Riera, Babel, Ngog.
Well, the team selection isn't all that encouraging. Looks more like we'll be waiting for them to make a mistake rather than taking the match to them from the start. Hope the team can prove me wrong and get us through to Barca. Come on you Reds!
I think it will actually look more like this... Reina Arbeloa - Skrtel - Carra - Aurelio Alonso Kuyt - Lucas - Masch - Yossi Torres
I bet Rafa has them set up more like this: Reina Carra Skrtel Arbeloa - Aurelio Alonso Kuyt - Lucas - Torres - Masch - Yossi
Alonso, Masch, and Lucas will certainly make it difficult for Chelsea's midfielders. We will defend from the front and force them into mistakes.
Im shocked at the team selection...if Gerrard wasn't playing, i would have gone for a 3-5-2 formation. We'll, theres no left winger for the moment, but surely Benni will play there......that would mean Lucas or Xabi plays behind torres..
It's a stroke of genius on Rafa's part. Essien's a beast, and one of the reasons for Chelsea's resurgance. Essien will have prepared to stop Stevie, and now he'll be charged with stopping Lucas, who wouldn't have contributed anything anyway. This keeps Essien occupied so Alonso and Masch will be free to get the ball up the pitch to the forwards. It's absolute genius.
lucas with a brace! i guess that rafa's thinking is that we'll play a little more defensively with the three DMs and if we can nick one, and keep them off the board, then throw a fresh riera, babel and ngog on for the last fifteen minutes and go for broke... let's just hope someone marks ivanovic on corners... that might help...
True. Its just as important that we don't concede as it is to score goals. I think we will see Masch play a more advanced role and we will look to win all the 2nd balls when it is played forward. If we can control the midfield we will have a chance.
There comes a time in the affairs of man when he must take the bull by the tail and face the situation.
This is a great opportunity for Lucas to show what he can do in his preferred role for the club. We were never really sensible to think we'd get anything out of this tie. I like the fact that we're resting Gerrard and giving the squad players a tough game with little consequence. FIGHT FOR YOUR F'N PLACES, LADS!!