It should not require much explanation.
CL Semi-Finals 13/14 - April 22,23,29,30
- Thread starter Invictus
- Start date
It should not require much explanation.
Embarrassing is too strong but why is a team with a much, much, much greater budget not capable of playing successful, attacking football?
People act like Chelsea's only way of defeating a team like Atlético is to play ultra defensive...
Is this game just going to be the ball in the centre-circle with both teams politely asking the others to grab it and try and attack them?!
Adrian can run more, most underrated aspect of football. Villa may come later on.
Obviously not. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Curious game this one.
It'll be Chelsea v Liverpool from back in the day.
Yeah, and after the failed attempt at crossing Chelsea to death in the last game maybe it's Simeone's plan to keep the ball on the ground more this time round.
Oh yeah, I wasnt disagreeing with you. Just thinking out loud more like.
True to an extent, but I would rather be embarrassing off the field than on it.
It is embarrassing. Billions spent and they're a fecking rich man's West Ham.
Just seen the line-up. Goodness gracious, that's very odd seeing six defenders being played by one side of a semi-final.
What happens if Atletico score?!
What happens if Atletico score?!
I'm assuming this is what he intends to use?
Schwarzer
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta
Ramires Luiz
Willian Hazard Cole
Torres
I don't see how this is anything out of the world when the only big change is playing a left back as wide left attacker. He was always going to play Luiz in midfield in this game for mobility and defensive purposes.Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta
Ramires Luiz
Willian Hazard Cole
Torres
Mourinho is a disgrace.
Turan's a great little player (would love to see him at Arsenal), Diego was pretty crap in the first leg.
Yeah I've no idea why anyone would question Arda starting over Diego. The only reason he didn't start last time was a lack of fitness, otherwise he's nailed on to start any important match.
Mourinho starts with SIX defenders 
Even with Hazard back, If Atletico score first I find it hard to see Chelsea create many opportunities for them to score twice to advance to the final
Even with Hazard back, If Atletico score first I find it hard to see Chelsea create many opportunities for them to score twice to advance to the final
This is embarassing even by Mou's standards. It will be fecking 10 defenders with Willian upfront in the final.
more like..
Schwarzer
Azpiliicueta Ivanovic Cahill Terry Luiz Cole
Ramires Willian
Hazard
Torres
Azpiliicueta Ivanovic Cahill Terry Luiz Cole
Ramires Willian
Hazard
Torres
Still find it amusing that people are complaining about them parking the bus.
We parked a triple decker against Bayern in both legs.
We parked a triple decker against Bayern in both legs.
To some yes, but I bet if they win tonight everyone will be raving about it being a tactical master class. He is arguably the best manager in the world, but so much money spent and playing like that just doesn't sit well with me.
In terms of being boring, this might actually rival that Chelsea - Liverpool game from back then.
Really disappointed that Jose hasn't preferred Kalas over Hazard. Playing Hazard over Kalas is bit over-ambitious imo, in a game so delicately poised.
lolz
lolz
Kalas the defender over hazard the attacking midfielder?? Am I missing something
Bullshit. We played with 4 defenders only and tried to soak in pressure and hit on counter. It was hardly parking the bus.
Really hope Mourinho ends up with egg on his face. Apologies to Rob and Duffer
Yes. White text.
We at least tried to attack Chelsea did not even attempt that in the first leg.
you just know chelsea are going to win.
We lumped it over the top over and over to Welbeck.
In the first leg especially we barely got a touch of the ball and sat deep for the majority of the game.
Schwarzer is probably the best 2nd choice keeper in the league... which is a back handed compliment of sorts.
no, it's a tactical masterclass only if you do it against an attacking team and win.
If you do it against a defensive team, it's alright, even though it's the same tactics.
If Chelsea win tonight, I am willing to bet very few of our forum experts will be hailing this 'tactical masterclass'
4 centre backs, 2 full backs, 1 holding midfielder, 2 wingers and a striker.
Jose Mourinho, what a man.
Jose Mourinho, what a man.
All in all though, as some have already said, if he pulls it off tonight, fair play to him.
Jose has some record (this season especially) in the big games.
Jose has some record (this season especially) in the big games.
Have you watched Atletico at all this season?
Fabianski's better. Would be a good pick up for PL clubs with a duff keeper.
Only issue in that line up is the full back in MF. Luiz is fine as a DM. If they had started Matic, Luiz and Ramiers. no one would care.
That Neville commentary still cracks me up
Mourinho playing six defenders. As long as he wins it's all that matters. No one remembers the losers, only the winners. In 10 years time people will look back on this and, should Chelsea win, see it simply as a Champions League victory like any other. Yes, the football is frustrating to watch for a neutral but why should Mourinho give a shit what a United/City/Shrewsbury etc. fan thinks? At the end of the day his bank balance is adequate to put it mildly and his trophy cabinet threatening to spill over.
they just played THAT Neville celebration I think I'll genuinely miss John Terry when he hangs up his boots... the man is a superb pantomime villain, it's almost funny.
Mourinho plays to win would have been adequate justification, what you've said is pretty lame. In 10 years, people will still remember Mourinho serving up drab football.