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| What We Learned From The Shakhtar Match : 7.11.2012 |
94′ minute, corner to Chelsea, Juan Mata to take… “Mata’s ball in towards MOSESSSSSSSSSS and Chelsea have won it at the death, incredible scenes here at Stamford Bridge!”. That was the final play of the night as Chelsea won 3-2 against Shakhtar. An incredible has shown us an array of things.
Scorers :
Fernando Torres (6′)
Willian (9′, 47′)
Oscar (40′)
Moses (94′)
What We Learned :
1. David Luiz continues to be woeful.
2. Juan Mata continues sensational form.
3. That’s what Champions are made of.
4. Mikel-Ramires is the best combination.
5. Torres still not at his best.
1. David Luiz continues to be woeful : 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 in front. Poor from Luiz, luckily for him Cahill and Ivanovic had good displays in the back.
2. Juan Mata continues sensational form : What more is there to say about Juan Mata? 9 assists and 7 goals in his last 10 matches for Chelsea. Yet, he can’t get in the Spain Squad. That aside, Chelsea thrive on his creativity and ball placement. His corner kicks were well placed and caused several problems for Pyatov and the Shakhtar defense. His touches, control and movement off/on the ball was the key factor in Chelsea’s revival. Just like v Arsenal, Norwich, Spurs, United and Nordsjaelland : Mata was our best player. He is sensational form and keeping him fit and healthy is a priority.
3. That’s what Champions are made of : Chelsea fought a hard, tough, long match to collect all 3 points v Donetsk and it was, I believe, separates Champions from competitors. We went up twice, conceded quickly twice and held on and pressed on to get a late winner which proves vital for us. Not many teams can do what we did v Shakthar and it’s something that sets us aside from the rest.
4. Mikel-Ramires is the best combination : Lampard-Mikel and Romeu-Mikel are the combinations I have ranted about, but Mikel-Ramires is my favourite and it was shown why tonight. That selection by Roberto Di Matteo was one of the best he could of made. Ramires and Mikel were crucial in our victory. They made very little mistakes and made the back 4’s job easier given that Cahill was holding that down, brilliantly. We now know that Ramires is a CM and not a RW.
5. Torres still not at his best : Torres showed a lack of composure, allowing an early chance to run to Pyatov, but was let off the hook seconds later as an attempted clearance from the goalkeeper hit him and ricocheted into the goal. His touch was often ponderous and let the Blues down in attack. Poor night from Nando as he didn’t contribute much to our attack and was a key factor in our attacking failures.
Other Points :
1. Where is Marko Marin?
2. Our road to knockout stages is easier.
3. Shakhtar still look dangerous.
Ervin
I fully agree with yot but luiz will be back to normal. We love him. Up blues
I fully agree with yot but luiz will be back to normal. We love him. Up blues
Sometimes I think Luiz would make a good Defensive Mid with his runs into attack he wouldn't be leaving the defence open at the back.
And Mata is a sick lad. For some reason they call him Juanny Cash, as in Johnny Cash, but I don't really understand that.
Nando didn't play too bad, but maybe Moses would have played better- hard to say. Perhaps he could have been substituted earlier.
And you should have said something about Oscar's goal. Great stuff from the Brazilian.
JC
Sometimes I think Luiz would make a good Defensive Mid with his runs into attack he wouldn't be leaving the defence open at the back.
And Mata is a sick lad. For some reason they call him Juanny Cash, as in Johnny Cash, but I don't really understand that.
Nando didn't play too bad, but maybe Moses would have played better- hard to say. Perhaps he could have been substituted earlier.
And you should have said something about Oscar's goal. Great stuff from the Brazilian.
JC
Nice one, great write UP from you guys. It clear that we need a drogba season 2 to take US UP there. On the defence, we need JT back. Up blues. From Arthur Osadebe
Nice one, great write UP from you guys. It clear that we need a drogba season 2 to take US UP there. On the defence, we need JT back. Up blues. From Arthur Osadebe
We had a decent game. Had to rely on defensive errors. Nando just occupies the striking position and we were lucky he was there at the right time. Playing Mata, Oscar, Hazard is not good for moses and Marin. David Luiz is not a good defender.
We had a decent game. Had to rely on defensive errors. Nando just occupies the striking position and we were lucky he was there at the right time. Playing Mata, Oscar, Hazard is not good for moses and Marin. David Luiz is not a good defender.
Recognition to Moses. Our top rated player for the last three games.
This piece was cogent, welnewritt-l, and pithy.
Recognition to Moses. Our top rated player for the last three games.
Recognition to Moses. Our top rated player for the last three games.
Recognition to Moses. Our top rated player for the last three games.
I don't agree with you about Nando. He played well, in my opinion, he tried his best and, to be fair, his goal was very, very important for us. He was in the right place and in the right time. He deserves credit.
I don't agree with you about Nando. He played well, in my opinion, he tried his best and, to be fair, his goal was very, very important for us. He was in the right place and in the right time. He deserves credit.
falcao is needed very much
falcao is needed very much
Lampard & Mikel… The Best option
Lampard & Mikel… The Best option
Nando is nt always in d right place,moses is just comin up he needs more startin,probably he cam play as a striker
Nando is nt always in d right place,moses is just comin up he needs more startin,probably he cam play as a striker
I sawTorres was in good performance in 1st half, but he didn't get any supplies from the midfielder in the 2nd..
but anyway, where is Marin???
I sawTorres was in good performance in 1st half, but he didn't get any supplies from the midfielder in the 2nd..
but anyway, where is Marin???
Victor Moses should be given the striking role.He is good in the air and shot very well http://www.soccersmega.com
Victor Moses should be given the striking role.He is good in the air and shot very well http://www.soccersmega.com
Nando has just not show 2 us d reason we bought him,we believe in him still to improvr cos there's a room and space for him to do that,oscar is one dude dat live up to expectation even when we least expect such performance from him,I think hie performance is just too old than his age bravo,mata, is definately d heart of the matter is superb,cahill has a presence in d game,hazard is one guy we can't 4get in hurry,bertrand loosen it a liitle but I know he will come back stronger,ramires is on song no doubt about that Mikel,almost put his name on d score sheet,just a little more effort he will be a force to recume with chelsea football,peter should concentrate on grounded ball,all the same we had our 3 point oh less I forget moses super header came @ d expected time,I have noticed in d last 4 games we have and conceded in d last minutes of these games but as long as we are scoring don't have a problem with that
Nando has just not show 2 us d reason we bought him,we believe in him still to improvr cos there's a room and space for him to do that,oscar is one dude dat live up to expectation even when we least expect such performance from him,I think hie performance is just too old than his age bravo,mata, is definately d heart of the matter is superb,cahill has a presence in d game,hazard is one guy we can't 4get in hurry,bertrand loosen it a liitle but I know he will come back stronger,ramires is on song no doubt about that Mikel,almost put his name on d score sheet,just a little more effort he will be a force to recume with chelsea football,peter should concentrate on grounded ball,all the same we had our 3 point oh less I forget moses super header came @ d expected time,I have noticed in d last 4 games we have and conceded in d last minutes of these games but as long as we are scoring don't have a problem with that
Phew!
Phew!
I've been one of those who stood up for Torres on this site but I agree he lost the for he had in the Euros and in the beginning of this season. What I've noticed last night is that he actually starts running at defenders and to my amazement,he took a few shots while he was at it. He overdid the trickery a bit last night. Doing stuff like that is a gamble and made us lose possession. All in all,it's good to see him taking shots even when there's support. Bertrand had a terrible night in my opinion. He lacked that commitment to get back quickly as possible resulting in Luiz always getting stretched to the left and that's where Shakhtar's goals came from. That left side has been a problem lately where Man United also exposed us in the league.
I've been one of those who stood up for Torres on this site but I agree he lost the for he had in the Euros and in the beginning of this season. What I've noticed last night is that he actually starts running at defenders and to my amazement,he took a few shots while he was at it. He overdid the trickery a bit last night. Doing stuff like that is a gamble and made us lose possession. All in all,it's good to see him taking shots even when there's support. Bertrand had a terrible night in my opinion. He lacked that commitment to get back quickly as possible resulting in Luiz always getting stretched to the left and that's where Shakhtar's goals came from. That left side has been a problem lately where Man United also exposed us in the league.
Dont be rediculous, every time we play those two together we are caught flat footed without enought movement in midfield. People have to cover for Lampards lack of pace too much, he attacks to often and leaves the grunt work up to Mikel far too often. THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN LENGHT
Dont be rediculous, every time we play those two together we are caught flat footed without enought movement in midfield. People have to cover for Lampards lack of pace too much, he attacks to often and leaves the grunt work up to Mikel far too often. THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN LENGHT
MY MAN ZANE!!! I think you and I are both good supporters of Nando, but yesterday showed all the reason we love him and the reasons why he's critics are right most of the time. Once he gets his tail up he's hard to stop and thats what he was doing in the first half, challenging defenders and beating them like the Torres of old, but his decisions in the final third leave much to be desired.
He took a shot from a tight angle that Pyatov had covered, it hit the side netting, when it would have been a better choice to play it back for the on rushing Oscar or to the far post for Mata. He beat a defender and went for another speculative shot when Ramires had given him the perfect passing option in the box. Both these plays made me realize that he's still lacking that quality partnership with any player at CFC that he had with Gerrard at LFC.
MY MAN ZANE!!! I think you and I are both good supporters of Nando, but yesterday showed all the reason we love him and the reasons why he's critics are right most of the time. Once he gets his tail up he's hard to stop and thats what he was doing in the first half, challenging defenders and beating them like the Torres of old, but his decisions in the final third leave much to be desired.
He took a shot from a tight angle that Pyatov had covered, it hit the side netting, when it would have been a better choice to play it back for the on rushing Oscar or to the far post for Mata. He beat a defender and went for another speculative shot when Ramires had given him the perfect passing option in the box. Both these plays made me realize that he's still lacking that quality partnership with any player at CFC that he had with Gerrard at LFC.
While Falcao and Suarez are both playing in the Europa league, Torres enjoys the Champions League. Do not say Chelsea is not generous.
While Falcao and Suarez are both playing in the Europa league, Torres enjoys the Champions League. Do not say Chelsea is not generous.
STOP MOANING!!! Without Torres the game would be 2-2 and we would be third in the group!
Chelsea being generous… Oh my dear God!
STOP MOANING!!! Without Torres the game would be 2-2 and we would be third in the group!
Chelsea being generous… Oh my dear God!
Lol, why are you so certain. Ill say 5 – 2 and maybe we would have won all our games jut like Manure.
Lol, why are you so certain. Ill say 5 – 2 and maybe we would have won all our games jut like Manure.
Come to think about it, quality football sometimes doesn't entails you playing well all times. Manure do not play as good as Chelsea but they are guaranteed a better winning ratio to Chelsea. Imagine if they could dominate like Chelsea or not get totally outplayed. Its all about having better and quality finishers compared to the opposition so that they keep on missing while you keep on scoring. Entertainment becomes secondary.
Come to think about it, quality football sometimes doesn't entails you playing well all times. Manure do not play as good as Chelsea but they are guaranteed a better winning ratio to Chelsea. Imagine if they could dominate like Chelsea or not get totally outplayed. Its all about having better and quality finishers compared to the opposition so that they keep on missing while you keep on scoring. Entertainment becomes secondary.