Monday, March 26, 2012

BENFICA or Chelsea tumefika!

The last time Chelsea failed to score in a Champions League match was a 1-0 loss to Marseille in 2010, in the group stage. An away goal is crucial, especially in the knock out stages of the competition. Benfica are obviously good, but I personally rank them below Napoli and as such think we have a greater chance against them. And hence the Champions League, semi final.
Now anytime we have reached the semi final two things will happen... Either go to the final or be knocked out controversially. (Am not just saying this, it has happened twice. Luis Garcia half goal in 2005 and of course we all remember Ovebro, the Norwegian referee who proved not good enough to officiate Gor Vs Afc match)

One thing I like about two leg encounters, is the fact that you have a greater chance of reversing the score and more so, if the second encounter is in your own tuff.

Looking at Chelsea last Saturday, the performance was not the best and in fact, were it not for Cahill and Cech being on top of their game, we would have lost the match. And in the end, Totenham had 16 goal attempts while Chelsea only managed half as many. I therefore remembered 2005, when Liverpool won the Champions League. They actually were 5th during the season having lost the top four position to Everton. They however went ahead and won the competition and automatically qualified for the following year's Champions League.

We have been very awful in the league to say the least. Could this be the year that we finally lift the Champions League? And remember, at the time when Liverpool won the league, they were the underdogs, especially having knocked Chelsea out with the "famous goal that never was". Their performance in the league was equally poor and just like our performance in the recent months.

That, together with the fact that 5 out of 6 teams who have knocked out Chelsea out of the top European elite competition have gone a head to win it....I just dont see Benfica fitting into this class of teams. Yet again, the gods are on our side....just like they were a couple of weeks ago when Napoli came calling. In the end, it was decided for all to see that indeed a tot of Chelsea gin is way stronger than a tot of Napoleon. We have all the reasons to look forward to this match......It could just be what Chelsea players have to play for this season.

Its even sweeter that we are the only english team in the Champions League. Wait a second, we are the only english team in Europe!! Man U and Man City have already been knocked out, Twice!!! We, the blue fans have all the rights to be proud! Ktbffh!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

CHELSEA VS NAPOLI: ITS PAYBACK TIME!!

I was very observant during the Chelsea Vs Stoke game and I must admit the line up was a little surprising to me. In the end, this was a good thing and it really worked in our favor. Now whether RDM came up with this line up for tactical reasons or had one eye on Wednesday’s crunch tie against Napoli is everyone’s guess. Lets talk about the line up for today’s match!
In defense, I would play Ivanovic at right back. This Serb is on form and his not so many runs forward are proving to be the turning point. He is areal threat during dead ball situations which unlike during the first leg Chelsea never took advantage of. Terry and Luiz to partner in central defense, while Cahill to start on the bench. Whereas both Cahill and Luiz are good, If am to go by the recent performances I would pick Luiz. His aerial ability is something I had underestimated but time and again he has proved me wrong. Any defender good enough to out jump Nicola Zigic of Birmingham is good enough to handle Cavani. Ashley Cole comes in at left back and in my opinion, not because he is on form but simply because this is a very competitive game, with high tension which Bertrand cannot handle at the moment. Cole ‘s experience comes in handy. Clearly this is not his first competitive, high tempo and tense match.
The physical threat and presence of Cavani is something Chelsea must counter by all means. In other words, if Chelsea allow Napoli to score, then it would be an uphill task, hence if I was RDM I would start with Essien in the holding midfield position. His physical presence, tenacity and speed would be vital in not only protecting the back four but also the focal point of Chelsea’s attack together with Ramires and Lampard. Lampard however should not be allowed to play 90 minutes. We have to face it, age is catching up with him hence depending on the score I would bring in Mikel to take the holding position and push Essien further forward in the 60+ minutes.
I will then have Mata in centrally, behind the front two of Kalou and Drogba. His creativity is class and in several matches he has played centrally, he tends to perform very well. I expect a goal from the little Spaniard or an assist or both.
On his day, Drogba can take on on any defenders and he knows our qualification to the quarter finals rely on his shoulders. I also expect the big Ivorian not to disappoint. Two goals in his last two matches for Chelsea should keep his spirits high. His ability to assist the defense during dead ball situations hasn’t been appreciated enough, but I cant tell you how many times Drogba’s ability to head corners away from the our danger area has saved Chelsea.
Bring on Sturridge in the second half to torment Napoli’s defense and probably kill the game off. Its been very long since we had a player like Robben, a player who could come in and change the whole complexion of a match. In my opinion, Sturridge fits this role at the moment.
Score the first goal and you will get a second. Score a third and you will get a fourth and Napoli are out. As you do these however, ensure you keep it tight at the back: Do not concede!
Finally, here is a thought: 5 teams who have knocked Chelsea out of the Europe’s elite competition have gone ahead to lift the trophy. Can Napoli knock out Chelsea and go all the way, I really doubt.
Ladies and gentlemen, the gods are on our side!!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Chelsea Vs Birmingham: Change of Formation, Attitude!

As we had for a crunch tie against Birmingham, I am hoping RDM will start with 4-4-2 formation. I would wish to have Essien and Romeu. (These two can actually play together same way Makelele and Essien Played together) I would push Essien a little further forward, and keep Romeu in the holding position. Since our central pairing of David Luiz and Cahill is yet to gel, its very important to have a holding midfielder in the caliber of Romeu, to protect the vulnerable back four.

Ramires is a player who until the last three matches has been a performer at Chelsea. We can make use of his pace, especially during counter attack. He is therefore an integral part of a Chelsea team, regardless of the formation. A complete box to box midfielder who only needs a little more improvement on his passing. In a compact sort of environment, its is such midfielders who make the difference in matches.

Chelsea have been so predictable in the predictable lately. Probably due to the fact that the only natural winger we have plays alot on the left side of the midfield. I would change this. I believe Juan Mata can play well either in the middle of behind a striker. If I want him behind a striker, then I will bring lampard in the middle, play 4-5-1,with my midfield comprising of Romeu, Essien, Rams, Lamps, Mata.

Fernando Torres is yet to rediscover his form, a year later. This is a serious tie and I wouldnt mind if he doesnt feature at all. I cant helping feeling sorry for the guy, but considering this is a match we must score, its only fair that he does not feature.
I would therefore keep Drogba upfront as my first choice and have Sturridge on the bench.

Depending on the score, I would bring him Sturridge in the second half, simply because as time goes by during a match, especially in the second half, he tends to fade off and in most cases he is unnoticed. Obviously, bringing Sturridge in the second half, with his pace should be a real nightmare to the opposition defense, just like during the Robben super sub days.

Sturridge could come in for one of the midfielders, preferably Lampard and force the formation to 4-4-2 with Drogba upfront.
There have been comments from several soccer pundits, who claim Drogba cannot play with Torres upfront, in 4-4-2 formation. I would like RDM to try Sturridge and Drogba upfront.

Of course at the back I would start Betrand in place of Cole at left back. Cole has been very awful lately. Cahill, David Luiz and Ivanovic. It is obviously a gamble, just like the appointment of RDM, but then again what Chelsea needs right now is a break from the recent past, onto something slightly different.
A change in formation could just be the something different!

Chelsea have conceded a few goals from corner kicks. The last two goals conceded were actually scored by the opposition left backs. I hope AVB didnt employ the zonal marking system. RDM should ensure theres proper marking during corners and deadball situations. Thats where we have been most vulnerable.

Either way, i expect a good match. Birmingham trying to punish Chelsea and Chelsea players trying to prove a point, that actually the recent dismal performance had been caused poor tactics.

A win and progression into the FA Cup quarters and we will be pointing fingers at the previous coach. A loss and we will point fingers at the players and a clear testimony that AVB may have left Chelsea, but the problems still exist!

Frank Oloo