Well, the Champions League Final may not have been a masterclass of artistic football, but for sheer drama and suspense, it will take some topping! The longer the match progressed, and as each new twist was unfurled, I kept thinking to myself that their "name was on the trophy".
This is not to decry Chelsea's efforts. Petr Cech and Didier Drogba may grab the headlines, but the entire team, and the back-line in particular, displayed great resilience and determination in keeping the team afloat under severe pressure. From what I could see, the team rarely lost its shape completely, and also managed to maintain some discipline and morale, although they did ride their luck in the penalty area on occasion.
People have opined that Bayern were unlucky, and it is true that they dominated possession for much of the game, and played most of the constructive and composed football. Their midfield in particular had much more creativity and versatility about it than that of Chelsea, and as anticipated Robben, Ribery and Thomas Mueller posed a constant threat. Having said all this, however, Bayern were profligate in their finishing, and ultimately paid the price for not putting the match to bed earlier.
Chelsea, when they did get the ball, tended not to keep it for long enough, particularly in forward positions, with Drogba isolated at times. They did generate a touch more fluency in their play towards half-time, and Kalou forced a save from Neuer on 37 minutes.
Although the Londoners would have felt relieved that it was still scoreless at half-time, Bayern Munich continued their relentless pressing after the break. Despite this, the longer it remained at 0-0 the more heartened Chelsea would have felt, to employ a well-worn cliche. They were creating few chances, but the defence, and Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill deserve special credit, were still defiant, Cole rising to the occasion and taking on responsibility.
There was a danger for Bayern that they might run out of ideas as the second half progressed, and even if their passing and approach play became slightly less crisp and incisive, they still dictated proceedings. The Thomas Mueller goal, late though it was, had a certain inevitability about it.
Then came Drogba's dramatic equaliser, and personally I thought at that time that the pendulum was swinging Chelsea's way. The psychological impact of the levelling goal, the introduction of Fernando Torres, and Bayern's removal of Muller from the fray. However, as we went into extra-time there were yet more twists....
Chelsea might have felt emboldened at the outset of extra-time, but the decision to award Bayern Munich a penalty in that first additional period was undoubtedly correct, Drogba clearly clipping Ribery, and not making contact with the ball.
Not only did Petr Cech's penalty save further bolster galvanise Chelsea, but Ribery was forced off with an injury, presumably stemming from the Drogba foul.
Then, of course, came the penalty shoot-out....
Much attention will now focus on the future of Roberto Di Matteo. After reaching the summit, will the Chelsea owner feel able to appoint the Italian to oversee some team rebuilding, or will that role be entrusted to a more experienced coach? We shall see...
Showing posts with label chelsea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chelsea. Show all posts
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Monday, 26 December 2011
Boxing Day Football
For a Leeds United fan, the outcome of today's fixtures has scarcely been enjoyable to behold. Not only did Leeds slump to defeat at Derby, but most of the Premier League results went in favour of a certain outfit which bases itself at Old Trafford.
If I am being honest, I did not expect Leeds to pull up any trees at Pride Park, but the general trend of results, belief and morale appears to be emphatically in the wrong direction as we approach the turn of the year. We are now hearing the first genuinely widespread murmurings of discontent with Simon Grayson himself. It goes without saying that the matches against Barnsley and Burnley, before the FA Cup hiatus, could be crucial on several levels.
By all accounts this was a lacklustre display from Leeds, and it is open to question whether some reshuffling of playing personnel during January will have any discernible impact in reversing the position. Although the Championship table indicates that the team is still within striking distance of the play-offs, we are moving in the wrong direction, when we should be building a base-camp for an attempt on the summit!
As if the woes of Leeds were not enough, it seems that the clubs in the Premier League top echelon are determined to ensure that Manchester United have the psychological advantage of leading the pack as we enter 2012. Chelsea's stuttering form persists, and Liverpool and Newcastle have lost touch. Manchester City had the kind of result at West Brom which could prove to be very costly come May.
The state of play looks favourable for Tottenham, from a purely arithmetical point of view, but do they, or their supporters, truly believe? Games in hand are all very well, and nice to have, but they also create a new, different type of pressure.
I hope that my pessimism about the position in the top two divisions proves to be misplaced!
If I am being honest, I did not expect Leeds to pull up any trees at Pride Park, but the general trend of results, belief and morale appears to be emphatically in the wrong direction as we approach the turn of the year. We are now hearing the first genuinely widespread murmurings of discontent with Simon Grayson himself. It goes without saying that the matches against Barnsley and Burnley, before the FA Cup hiatus, could be crucial on several levels.
By all accounts this was a lacklustre display from Leeds, and it is open to question whether some reshuffling of playing personnel during January will have any discernible impact in reversing the position. Although the Championship table indicates that the team is still within striking distance of the play-offs, we are moving in the wrong direction, when we should be building a base-camp for an attempt on the summit!
As if the woes of Leeds were not enough, it seems that the clubs in the Premier League top echelon are determined to ensure that Manchester United have the psychological advantage of leading the pack as we enter 2012. Chelsea's stuttering form persists, and Liverpool and Newcastle have lost touch. Manchester City had the kind of result at West Brom which could prove to be very costly come May.
The state of play looks favourable for Tottenham, from a purely arithmetical point of view, but do they, or their supporters, truly believe? Games in hand are all very well, and nice to have, but they also create a new, different type of pressure.
I hope that my pessimism about the position in the top two divisions proves to be misplaced!
Sunday, 23 October 2011
The Manchester derby
Well, as a Leeds United fan, things could not have worked out much better this weekend. After Leeds fashioned a narrow but important win on Saturday, so Manchester City defeated their local rivals 6-1 in one of Sunday's matches.
No doubt many supporters of other clubs will be gloating and taking delight in Manchester United's discomfort and misfortune. However, history tells us that Sir Alex Ferguson is perfectly capable of rousing his men from their disappointment, and emerging victorious in May.
Whilst it would be premature and unwise to write off the Old Trafford club, it does seem that this City squad is closer to being the genuine article, beginning to function as a well-oiled machine, rather than as a collection of personalities and individuals. More importantly, perhaps, they look to have more belief and togetherness than before.
The gruelling winter months will tell us much, and Roberto Mancini will still be required to keep all of his star players happy, and ensure that morale can withstand any unforeseen setbacks. The City cause is arguably aided by less intense competition, with the jury still out on the "new" Chelsea, Arsenal off the pace, and other pretenders not yet entirely convincing.
The next few months will reveal plenty about the respective coaching and playing staffs of the two Manchester clubs, but I say again, write off the men in the red shirts at your peril....
No doubt many supporters of other clubs will be gloating and taking delight in Manchester United's discomfort and misfortune. However, history tells us that Sir Alex Ferguson is perfectly capable of rousing his men from their disappointment, and emerging victorious in May.
Whilst it would be premature and unwise to write off the Old Trafford club, it does seem that this City squad is closer to being the genuine article, beginning to function as a well-oiled machine, rather than as a collection of personalities and individuals. More importantly, perhaps, they look to have more belief and togetherness than before.
The gruelling winter months will tell us much, and Roberto Mancini will still be required to keep all of his star players happy, and ensure that morale can withstand any unforeseen setbacks. The City cause is arguably aided by less intense competition, with the jury still out on the "new" Chelsea, Arsenal off the pace, and other pretenders not yet entirely convincing.
The next few months will reveal plenty about the respective coaching and playing staffs of the two Manchester clubs, but I say again, write off the men in the red shirts at your peril....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)