What We Learned From The Shakhtar Match: 23.10.2012

What We Learned From The Shakhtar Match: 23.10.2012

The referee blows for full-time after 93 minutes of play in Donetsk. A very disappointing night for the Blues in Ukraine as we lost 2-1 to the Champions of Ukraine. A frustrating night has many points to take from it :

1. Gary Cahill > David Luiz
2. Lampard-Mikel combination does not work
3. Hazard and Oscar have been off-cue lately
4. Petr Cech is immense
5. Torres still not at his best
6. Shakhtar will cause problems

1. Gary Cahill > David Luiz: Just as I say almost every match, Gary Cahill has to take over as the other centre-beck next to John Terry. Cahill is, to me, more composed and a more skilled player than Luiz. While Luiz charms us with his occasional goal and his character, we must look at Cahill as our main CB after Terry. David Luiz had another poor night and was careless in possession as Chelsea looked to get back into the game.

2. Lampard-Mikel combination does not work:  Even though Lampard played under 20 minutes today v Donetsk, him and Mikel were not comfortable playing next to one another and seemed to be on different pages as we attacked and defended. A poor night all around saw Lampard go off injured and let Ramires next to Mikel which added some strength to us attacking wise.

3. Hazard and Oscar have been off-cue lately: Oscar scored a late goal that made in 2-1 for the Ukrainians, but other than that him and Hazard were both poor. They were sloppy in possession, didn’t finish their chances and made very poor passes when we needed a good one. Although, Mata wasn’t good either, Juan still provided us with firm passes in the attacking third and was relatively stable on the ball. As Mata continues to get in better form, Hazard and Oscar continue to be sub-par.

4. Petr Cech is immense: One thing is certain tonight, Petr Cech is one of the finest keepers in the world and the best in England, to me. This game could have been a rout if not for our Czech goalkeeper. He made several phenomenal saves in both halves to keep us in the match and was not at fault for either of the goals scored by Donetsk. We must made his job easier if we hope to strive to new heights as he is handling his tasks greatly.

5. Torres still not at his best: Fernando Torres had a sub-par night as he could of buried a goal or two and picked out a few balls while he was on the wing. He did his best and that’s respected, but when it comes down to everything he is not as impressive as we’d want him to be. He had some lovely skill to create an opening or two, but just couldn’t continue that skill to pick it out. Torres is working towards his top form, but it’s still not the progress we’d like to see from El Nino.

6. Shakhtar will cause problems: Shakhtar sit first with 7 points, we’re second with 4, Juventus are third with 3 points and Nordsjaelland are bottom with 1 point. Their flow and fast-paced game caused us problems and left us in bits and pieces as they pressed on us. Thankfully, Cech kept the score as low as possible. Donetsk played another fantastic match as they showed their creativity and ability with a well-played match that left them top of the table.

Other points :
1. Group is up for grabs
2. Buzzing atmosphere at the Donbass Arena
3. Defense needs to be sorted out by the next tie
4. Another “Super Cup” like experience

Ervin

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LondonsFirst

63 thoughts on “What We Learned From The Shakhtar Match: 23.10.2012

  1. Shakhtar were a better team because we got 2 payers who were VERY poor: Terry and again, again and again TORRES. How long this player will fail to score???? He is so useless and please dont tell me that he is a player again.

    This website MUST STOP to promote Torress because we are sick and tired of him. He is so USELESS and AWFUL!

  2. Shakhtar were a better team because we got 2 payers who were VERY poor: Terry and again, again and again TORRES. How long this player will fail to score???? He is so useless and please dont tell me that he is a player again.

    This website MUST STOP to promote Torress because we are sick and tired of him. He is so USELESS and AWFUL!

  3. No one promoted Torres here pal. 360 and every other blog only says the truth and nothing but it!

    This article in specific never promoted Fernando Torres.

    Today he was totally crap -.-

  4. No one promoted Torres here pal. 360 and every other blog only says the truth and nothing but it!

    This article in specific never promoted Fernando Torres.

    Today he was totally crap -.-

  5. Atmosphere fantastic? Don't fool yourself mate. Those people are disgusting! Whenever the we had the ball,they jeered at us. That's completely unacceptable from a footballing audience.

  6. Atmosphere fantastic? Don't fool yourself mate. Those people are disgusting! Whenever the we had the ball,they jeered at us. That's completely unacceptable from a footballing audience.

  7. Well written.

    I agree with all those points. Its Nov-Dec and we have started to tremble 😐

  8. Well written.

    I agree with all those points. Its Nov-Dec and we have started to tremble 😐

  9. The entire out-field Chelsea players was crap. From defense to attack. None of them offered any threat to the opposition and they lacked composure.

  10. The entire out-field Chelsea players was crap. From defense to attack. None of them offered any threat to the opposition and they lacked composure.

  11. Anonymous

    We were simply punished by a more creative and efficient side. I feel the loss is a blessing in disguise as the following learning points have been reinforced:

    1) although Luiz was poor tonight, our best central defensive partnership should be Cahill & Luiz as Terry has lost much of his pace.
    2) We should start shopping for a replacement for club legend, Frank Lampard. He should remain a squad player at best.
    3) we need to invest in a proven goal scorer in January. Demba Ba would be a cost effective solution.
    4) we need to invest in another young world class creative attacking midfielder for strength in depth.
    5) start giving Azpilicueta more playing time.

    Hopefully we have been brought down to earth and ready to get a good result against Man U on Sunday.

    Come on Chelsea!!!

  12. Anonymous

    We were simply punished by a more creative and efficient side. I feel the loss is a blessing in disguise as the following learning points have been reinforced:

    1) although Luiz was poor tonight, our best central defensive partnership should be Cahill & Luiz as Terry has lost much of his pace.
    2) We should start shopping for a replacement for club legend, Frank Lampard. He should remain a squad player at best.
    3) we need to invest in a proven goal scorer in January. Demba Ba would be a cost effective solution.
    4) we need to invest in another young world class creative attacking midfielder for strength in depth.
    5) start giving Azpilicueta more playing time.

    Hopefully we have been brought down to earth and ready to get a good result against Man U on Sunday.

    Come on Chelsea!!!

  13. We just lacked that sharpness and final touches.

    Oscar gave the ball away so many times as well.

    Hazard was fouled so much and all that crap really effected us.

    Lets hope we put up a solid performances against United!

  14. We just lacked that sharpness and final touches.

    Oscar gave the ball away so many times as well.

    Hazard was fouled so much and all that crap really effected us.

    Lets hope we put up a solid performances against United!

  15. This is lovely

  16. This is lovely

  17. Anonymous

    Lets call a spade a spade!We all saw the combination of Cahill/Luiz and Mikel/Ramires on Saturday,very composed and effective,we should have started the game like that!As for Oscar and Hazard,they did their best but their effort wasnt appreciated by wasteful Torres so to say!We need a prolific striker in JAN ASAP!

  18. Anonymous

    Lets call a spade a spade!We all saw the combination of Cahill/Luiz and Mikel/Ramires on Saturday,very composed and effective,we should have started the game like that!As for Oscar and Hazard,they did their best but their effort wasnt appreciated by wasteful Torres so to say!We need a prolific striker in JAN ASAP!

  19. You are so right, nothing to add.

  20. You are so right, nothing to add.

  21. Yes. That was a totally different team from the one against Spurs. We were caught on the break alot and there was too much space for the opposition to move into,especially movement from Willian and Texierra. Ramires and Mikel and a game to forget. That guy with the weird name behind the striker had too much space also so he had quite a number of shots at goal which Cech thankfully saved. Ultimately,I think we didn't have that usual connected link up play in the final third from our attackers which makes us so threatening.

  22. Yes. That was a totally different team from the one against Spurs. We were caught on the break alot and there was too much space for the opposition to move into,especially movement from Willian and Texierra. Ramires and Mikel and a game to forget. That guy with the weird name behind the striker had too much space also so he had quite a number of shots at goal which Cech thankfully saved. Ultimately,I think we didn't have that usual connected link up play in the final third from our attackers which makes us so threatening.

  23. That exactly is good atmosphere. Not just singing and chanting ! They are just trying their best to make their team win and it worked !

  24. That exactly is good atmosphere. Not just singing and chanting ! They are just trying their best to make their team win and it worked !

  25. Anonymous

    idont know why 360 always favours torres..he is a striker not a defender not a winger but a striker..but he doesnt take a shot,doesnt get into good postions,heck ashley and ivanovic get into better positons than torres…torres needs to earn a place in the starting 11 not get it as a gift from di-matteo.mata rescued us today but if someday we need our striker to score in a vital game,should we just always assume he is getting to his best and let it be….WE BOUGHT HIM SO THAT HE COULD SCORE GOALS NOT HOPE THAT HE WOULD GET BETTER.#STURRIDGE MUCH BETTER

  26. Anonymous

    idont know why 360 always favours torres..he is a striker not a defender not a winger but a striker..but he doesnt take a shot,doesnt get into good postions,heck ashley and ivanovic get into better positons than torres…torres needs to earn a place in the starting 11 not get it as a gift from di-matteo.mata rescued us today but if someday we need our striker to score in a vital game,should we just always assume he is getting to his best and let it be….WE BOUGHT HIM SO THAT HE COULD SCORE GOALS NOT HOPE THAT HE WOULD GET BETTER.#STURRIDGE MUCH BETTER

  27. No. I wouldn't call it a great atmosphere. It's unsporting and disrespectful…and it's bloody annoying! Which worked.

  28. No. I wouldn't call it a great atmosphere. It's unsporting and disrespectful…and it's bloody annoying! Which worked.

  29. Anonymous

    Torres is Shitte. He should be banished to the U 21's with Malouda.

  30. Anonymous

    Torres is Shitte. He should be banished to the U 21's with Malouda.

  31. Anonymous

    Well let us not be too hard on the boys, we played a good team in a tremendous atmosphere. Early goal was the key but besides that we didn't start so good and that was because we were trying to blend. Lampard should not have started as he gave the ball away leading to the first goal. Terry was always going to struggle with the high line and he is probably not in 100 percent state of mind. Ashley is no longer discipline and is commitment is faulty. His contract must be reviewed quickly else we should start playing Betrand. We should have started the game with Hazard especially and maybe Cahill who is our best defender. Lampard should have come in as a sub and maybe Torres. Now we have to beat them at the bridge which we can. Expecting a minimum of four goals at the bridge.

  32. Anonymous

    Well let us not be too hard on the boys, we played a good team in a tremendous atmosphere. Early goal was the key but besides that we didn't start so good and that was because we were trying to blend. Lampard should not have started as he gave the ball away leading to the first goal. Terry was always going to struggle with the high line and he is probably not in 100 percent state of mind. Ashley is no longer discipline and is commitment is faulty. His contract must be reviewed quickly else we should start playing Betrand. We should have started the game with Hazard especially and maybe Cahill who is our best defender. Lampard should have come in as a sub and maybe Torres. Now we have to beat them at the bridge which we can. Expecting a minimum of four goals at the bridge.

  33. Anonymous

    Well let us not be too hard on the boys, we played a good team in a tremendous atmosphere. Early goal was the key but besides that we didn't start so good and that was because we were trying to blend. Lampard should not have started as he gave the ball away leading to the first goal. Terry was always going to struggle with the high line and he is probably not in 100 percent state of mind. Ashley is no longer discipline and is commitment is faulty. His contract must be reviewed quickly else we should start playing Betrand. We should have started the game with Hazard especially and maybe Cahill who is our best defender. Lampard should have come in as a sub and maybe Torres. Now we have to beat them at the bridge which we can. Expecting a minimum of four goals at the bridge.

  34. Anonymous

    Well let us not be too hard on the boys, we played a good team in a tremendous atmosphere. Early goal was the key but besides that we didn't start so good and that was because we were trying to blend. Lampard should not have started as he gave the ball away leading to the first goal. Terry was always going to struggle with the high line and he is probably not in 100 percent state of mind. Ashley is no longer discipline and is commitment is faulty. His contract must be reviewed quickly else we should start playing Betrand. We should have started the game with Hazard especially and maybe Cahill who is our best defender. Lampard should have come in as a sub and maybe Torres. Now we have to beat them at the bridge which we can. Expecting a minimum of four goals at the bridge.

  35. Anonymous

    Why do all blame av 2fall on torres cos we lost, tel me a player who had a standout performance in that game… All i kip hearin is Torres these torres that.. 9ce write up, u really observe d game well nt like others who jst watch and look 4pple 2put blames on… Torres was substitutd and the game got even worse..

  36. Anonymous

    Why do all blame av 2fall on torres cos we lost, tel me a player who had a standout performance in that game… All i kip hearin is Torres these torres that.. 9ce write up, u really observe d game well nt like others who jst watch and look 4pple 2put blames on… Torres was substitutd and the game got even worse..

  37. Anonymous

    We need to buy Ba, Falcao or Soldado

  38. Anonymous

    We need to buy Ba, Falcao or Soldado

  39. Anonymous

    When I saw the line up, I knew we were going to be at the back foot. The dynamic trio was altered and if nothing else, our match against Wigan should tell you that Hazard is a good starter though he has declined a bit. Mikel/ Lampard is an overkill of deep lying play maker and is not solid in tracking movements. Ramires on the wing is also wasteful. Besides Terry and Oscar starting, this is exactly the same formula that failed against Ath Madrid. I would have appreciated it if we had fielded a decent team for a start. We made the game more difficult for ourselves by starting defensively and playing deep to favour the veterans. But as soon as we needed a goal, game up.

  40. Anonymous

    When I saw the line up, I knew we were going to be at the back foot. The dynamic trio was altered and if nothing else, our match against Wigan should tell you that Hazard is a good starter though he has declined a bit. Mikel/ Lampard is an overkill of deep lying play maker and is not solid in tracking movements. Ramires on the wing is also wasteful. Besides Terry and Oscar starting, this is exactly the same formula that failed against Ath Madrid. I would have appreciated it if we had fielded a decent team for a start. We made the game more difficult for ourselves by starting defensively and playing deep to favour the veterans. But as soon as we needed a goal, game up.

  41. Anonymous

    Cech had a stand out game. Mikel was not too bad either. We scored with Sturridge on the field and giving him playing minutes would be better investment.

  42. Anonymous

    Cech had a stand out game. Mikel was not too bad either. We scored with Sturridge on the field and giving him playing minutes would be better investment.

  43. Anonymous

    if will torres be play wing Danny to play strike or we can play without strike yestarday terry, torres were not lucky.

  44. Anonymous

    if will torres be play wing Danny to play strike or we can play without strike yestarday terry, torres were not lucky.

  45. Anonymous

    Chelsea is the only team that has players that bigger than club, we are the only team that goes to the market to waste money to buy flops, why can‘t chelsea encourage their youths and give them a chance to run the show, look at MESSI and WELBECK, this players where encouraged and now their clubs are reaping the results.. Why can‘t we give players like “STURRIDGE“ “PAIZON“ “LUKAKU“ “MOSES“ a chance to run their show? If they make mistakes we can correct them intead of buying P**S and D*N***S with our hard earn cash.
    RDM we cannot build a team around torres coz he‘s no longer a player he has passed his prime and age is no longer a friend “28“, look at DROGBA if you give him half a chance he‘ll tear the net, he thesame in munich he scored our only chance at goal and gave us hope, RDM lets build a team around our young strikers and correct them when they make mistakes instead of bringing a falcao that has no epl experience, and start seeing thesame floppy floppy floppy striking again!!! RDM the right time is NOW!!! coz GUARDIOLA is waiting behind, and i trust him he‘ll never use TORRES, not even for a league cup.
    (“Akobabs“ frm “Nigeria“)

  46. Anonymous

    Chelsea is the only team that has players that bigger than club, we are the only team that goes to the market to waste money to buy flops, why can‘t chelsea encourage their youths and give them a chance to run the show, look at MESSI and WELBECK, this players where encouraged and now their clubs are reaping the results.. Why can‘t we give players like “STURRIDGE“ “PAIZON“ “LUKAKU“ “MOSES“ a chance to run their show? If they make mistakes we can correct them intead of buying P**S and D*N***S with our hard earn cash.
    RDM we cannot build a team around torres coz he‘s no longer a player he has passed his prime and age is no longer a friend “28“, look at DROGBA if you give him half a chance he‘ll tear the net, he thesame in munich he scored our only chance at goal and gave us hope, RDM lets build a team around our young strikers and correct them when they make mistakes instead of bringing a falcao that has no epl experience, and start seeing thesame floppy floppy floppy striking again!!! RDM the right time is NOW!!! coz GUARDIOLA is waiting behind, and i trust him he‘ll never use TORRES, not even for a league cup.
    (“Akobabs“ frm “Nigeria“)

  47. This comment has been removed by the author.

  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

  49. Sometimes RDM made some mistakes in tactics against opponents who put hard pressure on the ball (e.g A. Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk). But he is still learning (maybe from his mistakes). Our new players are still adapting (Oscar-Hazard). We need some sloppy games like this to learn.

    One disappointed thing is our defense. Last season even Barca or Bayern could not stun our defense. This season, I know we play more offensively but should keep our defensive level at least 60-70% in compared to one last season. Terry, Luiz has been poor so far. Why RDM does not think to play Cahill? He is more consistent than Luiz, may be than Terry.

    And another thing is Torres’s problem. He has been up and down so far. I think RDM was very patient with him. But RDM should think again and use Sturridge instead of Torres. First, RDM can exploit more on Sturridge. He may be a bit selfish but at least can score (or even shoot) if getting chances. Second, RDM can wake Torres up, or at least inspire him. Torres is now vulnerable, a bit weak and slow, wastes a lot of clear chances. IMO, he should try to shoot whenever he has the ball on his feet. He dribbles a lot but that is useless. What Chelsea need is a striker who can score with a half chance or zero chance like our king Drogba? IMO, Torres is still struggling to get Drogba’s level for Chelsea.
    I think RDM can think to use the 4-6-0 tactics (Mikel-Ramires; Hazard-Oscar-Mata-Moses). Moses can be a false striker. Moses has strength and pace to add more width to our squad.

  50. Sometimes RDM made some mistakes in tactics against opponents who put hard pressure on the ball (e.g A. Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk). But he is still learning (maybe from his mistakes). Our new players are still adapting (Oscar-Hazard). We need some sloppy games like this to learn.

    One disappointed thing is our defense. Last season even Barca or Bayern could not stun our defense. This season, I know we play more offensively but should keep our defensive level at least 60-70% in compared to one last season. Terry, Luiz has been poor so far. Why RDM does not think to play Cahill? He is more consistent than Luiz, may be than Terry.

    And another thing is Torres’s problem. He has been up and down so far. I think RDM was very patient with him. But RDM should think again and use Sturridge instead of Torres. First, RDM can exploit more on Sturridge. He may be a bit selfish but at least can score (or even shoot) if getting chances. Second, RDM can wake Torres up, or at least inspire him. Torres is now vulnerable, a bit weak and slow, wastes a lot of clear chances. IMO, he should try to shoot whenever he has the ball on his feet. He dribbles a lot but that is useless. What Chelsea need is a striker who can score with a half chance or zero chance like our king Drogba? IMO, Torres is still struggling to get Drogba’s level for Chelsea.
    I think RDM can think to use the 4-6-0 tactics (Mikel-Ramires; Hazard-Oscar-Mata-Moses). Moses can be a false striker. Moses has strength and pace to add more width to our squad.

  51. Anonymous

    Was terry, luis, oscar, hazard, mata standout??? Y shld dat of torres b d focus, and all d blame is on him?? Hazard who made d error that led to the 2ndgoal was nt talked bout but if it was mikel, it wld av been on the headlines, we shld quit being biase wit these players, they are humans nt aliens 4rm outerspace who doesn't mak error..

  52. Anonymous

    Was terry, luis, oscar, hazard, mata standout??? Y shld dat of torres b d focus, and all d blame is on him?? Hazard who made d error that led to the 2ndgoal was nt talked bout but if it was mikel, it wld av been on the headlines, we shld quit being biase wit these players, they are humans nt aliens 4rm outerspace who doesn't mak error..

  53. Anonymous

    The problem is that Torres plays in a position that affects the entire team. If he had scored then maybe the team would have played better.

  54. Anonymous

    The problem is that Torres plays in a position that affects the entire team. If he had scored then maybe the team would have played better.

  55. Anonymous

    My hat breaks. When our Drog was not there to left our hats, people say he is old. Now we onlonger have him in our fold. Torres cant jst do what Drog was doing for us. Oh, how we missed him. Last nit made it very very clear to us all that Chelsea at present dont have a goal king like our Drog. Oh, drog, drog of war, king of goal. Where re you. Pls ROMAN, think think. From Arthur Osadebe

  56. Anonymous

    My hat breaks. When our Drog was not there to left our hats, people say he is old. Now we onlonger have him in our fold. Torres cant jst do what Drog was doing for us. Oh, how we missed him. Last nit made it very very clear to us all that Chelsea at present dont have a goal king like our Drog. Oh, drog, drog of war, king of goal. Where re you. Pls ROMAN, think think. From Arthur Osadebe

  57. Anonymous

    You are funny! So, if Chelsea bought Falcao Garcia, then they would never, ever, lose a game again… In what world do you live in? Every team loses games, why do you always have to blame Torres? Against Barcelona, Drogba played 80 min and did not score, then Torres came in and in 10 min he scored. Still, I did not hear anyone blaming drogba for that…

  58. Anonymous

    You are funny! So, if Chelsea bought Falcao Garcia, then they would never, ever, lose a game again… In what world do you live in? Every team loses games, why do you always have to blame Torres? Against Barcelona, Drogba played 80 min and did not score, then Torres came in and in 10 min he scored. Still, I did not hear anyone blaming drogba for that…

  59. Annoying the other team and disrespectful to other teams. That is great atmosphere ! We booed Gallas. We sang “Andre Andre, Whats the score”, “How's Channel Five” . I would call that disrespectful as well !

  60. Annoying the other team and disrespectful to other teams. That is great atmosphere ! We booed Gallas. We sang “Andre Andre, Whats the score”, “How's Channel Five” . I would call that disrespectful as well !

  61. Pratap Jung

    Its fun to read the posts make make critical analysis from your blog……

  62. Pratap Jung

    Its fun to read the posts make make critical analysis from your blog……

    • That’s funny, mom. I always get annyoed when someone tells me they’re from a suburb that, of course, most people have never heard of and I wonder why don’t just say the Detroit area or whatever. I’m thankful for happy childhood memories of visiting Detroit. My Grandma would always send us off with a bag full of turkey sandwiches wrapped in waxed paper and Entenmann’s chocolate donuts.

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