So they haven't done well in Europe? They have a net spend of +55m(that's a profit) in the last 5 years. They shouldn't even be playing at that level with such little resources. What Simeone has done is remarkable. I can't see any other manager in the world replicating that. Jose has spent 100m+ on a team that finished 3rd last season.I agree with this but some people have decided Simeone is a genius, because Atleti's direct style has worked so well in La Liga. Hence, no criticism will be allowed.Frankly, after tonight I'm even more convinced that Van Gaal is the right man for United.
CL Semi-Finals 13/14 - April 22,23,29,30
- Thread starter Invictus
- Start date
Simeone would kinda be a genius if he ended up with either the CL or league title. They should have no right to win either.
Who will be in Chelsea's midfield next week?
Luiz and Ramires.
Bayern put a lot of crosses at Old Trafford as well. But let's not that get into the way of Barca style and Pep loving fans....
They won't last the 90 minutes
It's not really insane, a few months ago thousands of people thought he was better than Cristiano and Messi this season. He has been phenomenal all season long.
They are still unbeaten in the CL as well, which is a good achievement on its own. Only team not to suffer defeat out of the last 4 left.
Still think Atletico will make it, Koke and Costa will show what they can at the Bridge and Atletico will score a goal and I can't see Chelsea scoring more than one. But I could also see another borefest with penalties or a lucky punch deciding this 
People are comparing this with us v Fulham, but they only had 44 crosses compared to our 82 or whatever
He has been but, he is still not on the level of a Messi or Ronaldo this season.
Great defensive tactics from Chelsea again. They kept Diego Costa out of the game, allowed the Atletico players to make only 5 dribbles in the whole match and forced Atletico to adopt a possession style of football in which they are not used to. Possession football is not what got Atletico in the CL semi finals. They are good when they have spaces to exploit with direct passing and counter attacks.
Chelsea's biggest problem, not only tonight but the whole season, is the absence of a forward like Drogba who can beat his marker, win duels and bring his teammates in the game or win fouls in dangerous areas.
I don't expect Mourinho to change his approach in the second leg, so Costa will receive the same treatment he got tonight. Nevertheless, Atletico are still the best counter attacking force in the CL because they have many players who are good on the ball.
Looking forward to the match at SB. My guess is that Chelsea are favorites. They haven't been beaten in the knock out phases in Europe for nearly 3 years now (they won both the CL and the EL), got to respect that.
To those of you who are complaining about the football played, what did you expect? Simeone and Mourinho are both very cautious managers and very thorough when it comes to narrowing the spaces and organizing their defenses. Plus this a European semi final for Christ's sake, it's a battle. If you make it here, your aim is to win the damn thing. If you want 100% entertainment, please watch a movie.
Chelsea's biggest problem, not only tonight but the whole season, is the absence of a forward like Drogba who can beat his marker, win duels and bring his teammates in the game or win fouls in dangerous areas.
I don't expect Mourinho to change his approach in the second leg, so Costa will receive the same treatment he got tonight. Nevertheless, Atletico are still the best counter attacking force in the CL because they have many players who are good on the ball.
Looking forward to the match at SB. My guess is that Chelsea are favorites. They haven't been beaten in the knock out phases in Europe for nearly 3 years now (they won both the CL and the EL), got to respect that.
To those of you who are complaining about the football played, what did you expect? Simeone and Mourinho are both very cautious managers and very thorough when it comes to narrowing the spaces and organizing their defenses. Plus this a European semi final for Christ's sake, it's a battle. If you make it here, your aim is to win the damn thing. If you want 100% entertainment, please watch a movie.
Oi! feck off, I copyrighted that
Cech out for the rest of the season according to Mourinho. Just what they needed ahead of the Liverpool game.
at least one redcard waiting to happen
What he has done for his team so far this season is of greater importance to what Messi and Cristiano have done. You can be on the same level, or higher, even if you aren't scoring or assisting as many goals. Especially when you play for a team that doesn't allow you to bloat your stats.
feck.
Atletico are ahead of Barca and Madrid mostly because their defense is much strong than Madrid or Barca's not because of Diego Costa is playing better than Messi or Cristiano.
Mourinho in press conference. "Petr Cech's season is over. For John (Terry) we will have to play the final for him to play again"
Haha, proof or not true!
For anyone interested:
Simeone's interview after yesterday's game:
http://as.com/diarioas/2014/04/23/english/1398211138_327665.html
Simeone's interview after yesterday's game:
http://as.com/diarioas/2014/04/23/english/1398211138_327665.html
And Xabi Alonso's interview before today's game:
http://as.com/diarioas/2014/04/22/english/1398187629_950311.html
http://as.com/diarioas/2014/04/22/english/1398187629_950311.html
Chelsea played Atletico's normal tough game tactics and did it well enough to annoy the home crowd. Watching Spanish telly last night, one of the shows did a post-match headline competition. Most of the entries were variations on the theme, "Atletico get a look in the mirror."
It's all about Stamford Bridge now. Can Chelsea stop them scoring? Sounds hard to do it again without Cech and without Terry. If they do get that away goal I find it hard to see Chelsea scoring twice.
It's all about Stamford Bridge now. Can Chelsea stop them scoring? Sounds hard to do it again without Cech and without Terry. If they do get that away goal I find it hard to see Chelsea scoring twice.
Im have a feeling we will win 2-1 or 3-2 tonight. preferably 2-1 and then if we score in munich, they will be under immense pressure. The second leg away can be an advantage if you make it so, I don't really understand people preferring the second leg at home. The possibility of 120minutes at home being afraid of conceding an away goal. Im happy second leg is in munich and I hope we can take advantage of it. Unfortunately I feel munich will go through in the end. We are playing against a club with a good record against us and a manager with a good record against us.
This will be decided on penalties like that awful Chelsea v Liverpool tie in 2007. Chelsea will probably go through. But this time there won't be any fluking of the final like Istanbul 2005 or Munich 2012.
I'll take 2 away goals in a heartbeat! I'm not happy about the return leg being in Munich, would have preferred us to play at home first. But it is what it is, can't complain. I really can't make a prediction for tonight. Madrid are in fine form and just beat Barcelona for the CdR which will give you huge momentum. We haven't been impressive since we won the title, but the players seem like they were playing more careful not to risk an injury. We do have a good record against Madrid, as does Pep, but that doesn't count for much in those games. Ancelotti also hasn't lost against Bayern if I'm not mistaken! It will be decided by the finest of margins most probably, I feel like both teams are going to win their respective home matches - question is who will score more!
... or Barcelona 1999.
Very true, and good luck
Same to you mate, I'm already bricking itVery true, and good luck
Or when Arsenal won it.
If Atletico manage to get an away goal, it's all over. No way will they let Chelsea score two goals.
Chelsea have to score first.
Chelsea have to score first.
it wasn't a fluke. We had a great team that had just won the double. Not the the 5th or 6th best team in the country. And we did it without our best midfield. Arsenal in typical fashion blew their best chance to fluke it
Tonight should be a really good game.
Bayern to win tonight.
I don't get that either. The only good thing about having the return leg at home is that the celebration in the city after going through is usually way better and bigger. The first leg is usually played more cautious by both teams, which often means that it's a lowscoring game. But that always puts you in a bad position at home because of those fecking annoying away goals. If you start with a lowscoring close win or even a 0-0 or 1-1 draw at home, you can turn the away leg into an open game and have the advantage of away goals on your side.
I've not the slightest idea why some of the Chelsea fans on here were happy about a 0-0 draw yesterday. I would hate that score. Sure, it sucks if you loose instead, but the risk of getting an away goal and go home with a 1-1 is worth it, because it instantly puts pressure on the other team. Now all the pressure is on Chelsea.
Ronaldo hattrick.
Hopefully Bayern progress. Small point, but going out to the eventual winners is always a bit of a silver lining, even if everyone does know we're a bit shit this season. Plus as much as i love him for what he did here, i don't ever want to see Ronaldo lift the CL with Madrid.
Yeah that is what I was arguing last night. As of right now Chelsea will probably have to shut them out for 180 minutes to advance.