On Tuesday night, Chelsea will get another chance to avenge their semi final defeats. Revenge is not on the minds of the players says Lampard and I don’t believe him. I simply need the bragging rights this time. Let me sound arrogant and call Liverpool our bogey team but I want the jinx to end now.
The last 6 meetings between these two teams in the champions league have produced only 3 goals. While the group league matches were terribly boring, the semi final matches have all been quite good, at least I think so. In the past two semi final meetings when Liverpool came to Stamford Bridge for the first leg, they came with the sole intention of getting a draw. They know that the fortunate lucky illusionary magic at the kop end would take them through in the second leg. I don’t want Chelsea to go Anfield with this approach.
Of course we need the away goal but I’d say a second away goal for Chelsea would mean one foot in the final. Knowing that, we should go for it. If Liverpool concedes two goals at Anfield their biggest trump card being Anfield would have let them down. For all the talk of Anfield being their fortress, isn’t it where Arsenal scored 6 goals in Jan 07? It’s now way a unbeatable domain like Stamford Bridge. Unbeaten in more than 100 games. How special is that!
Big news on the team. Lampard has joined the squad for the training ahead of this match whiel his mum is still in the hospital. Any emergency from now until the start of the match, he would be unavailable for the first leg. Hope his mom gets better, not just because I want him to play, just in the general sense. Essien is unavailable for this match as he picked up a needless card for a stupid pointless reaction for a bad refereeing decision. Ballack is still suffering from hamstring problem and could not be there for this match. Drogba is still a doubtful starter, but I won’t surprised to see him on the pitch as if he was never injured.
Other than Ballack, Essien, Drogba and of course Cudicini, we have a full squad to choose from. As I mentioned, I want to see us score two away goals. I don’t care even if Liverpool score four goals. You know that Liverpool have not scored in Stamford Bridge since 2004 in any competition. I don’t see them scoring even this time around with our stronger defence and Petr Cech. With this mind, I want us to score two goals at any cost. I’ll tell you it’s certainly worth it. Again, I’d gladly take 4-2 in favour of Liverpool.
In such a goal drought match up how can we see so many goals, is your question. Avram Grant has seen the last two semi finals and said this:
The last European games against Liverpool were too tactical. You need the freedom to play. I am trying with my Chelsea team to give them the freedom to think with responsibility. That’s why I have a good feeling about the games with Liverpool because I always like to be positive. We will not change the game we played until now, with a midfield that can score goals and go forward. I like a game with freedom but also responsibility and that’s what we need to show here. Sometimes a game develops not like you want – I don’t know if they planned to be tactical. We will try to create something of our own.
I have a commitment to style and said from Day One we will take it step by step. We played many good games, but when you come to the semi-final the result is important. I am very optimistic – I [hope] that the game will be not boring. I think they are a very good team but we also are a very good team, so it will be a good game between very good teams.
I agree with him that the last two semi finals were very tactical, both managers unwilling to unleash and waiting for an error from the other side. His response above kinds of sums up his mentality. He wants results, at the same time he wants to honour his commitment to style. He claims that he has brought changes step by step. I don’t know what he means by many good games. Each of the top 8 teams have many good games in a season where they play their opponent off the park. It’s my feeling that at times we are horrible to watch, not just boring.
So all this commitment to style stuff gets Avram few more months or years on the job that is too much for him. I remember the story Avram narrated. A chancer gets money from the king to make a horse speak in 10 years. When asked about how will he make it happen he says, “in 10 years, either the king or the horse will be dead”. Avram can keep on bullshitting about the style of play, but I have a feeling that he is waiting for either the horse or the king to be dead.
Just as I’m defaming Avram Grant with my poisonous words, John Terry comes in defence of him.
We are totally behind the manager. It is bizarre because since Avram took over, one thing we’ve done is that if any players are unhappy or has a problem, we’ve all got together, as you need to do, and speak our minds. We speak openly and things are sorted out there and then within the space of 10 minutes. There are no people walking out the door and talking behind each other’s backs. So all these suggestions are quite laughable actually. We get in a room, we talk and we solve the problems.
That’s like a good captain, hiding all under the carpet. I like and respect John Terry. He is doing his job. Read that line, “since Avram took over, one thing we’ve done is that if any players are unhappy or has a problem, we’ve all got together, as you need to do, and speak our minds”. Doesn’t it sound like this is some kind of a weekly feature in Chelsea FC, ‘getting together when players are unhappy’ thing? Will Terry explain why we had to start this new process since Avram took over? Why did we not have it or need it and why now?
Going back to the words of the chancer . . er . . Avram ‘monosyllabic’ Grant. So this would be an open game. While I want two goals for which it needs to be an open game, I can’t deny that there’s a massive risk in there. What if we play like we have been playing for many weeks that led up to this game. We keep creating half chances and quarter chances but never threaten our opponents seriously enough. If we play an open game and keep losing the ball near the box as harmlessly as we do, Liverpool can punish us on the counterattacks. With Gerrard, Babel, Benayoun and Torres and possibly Crouch they are one of the most dangerous counter attacking teams. I think Rafa would love to see Chelsea play an open game so that they can rely only on the counterattacks. No matter how we play, I don’t see Liverpool playing any differently they would have planned to do.
We must be wary of Liverpool, the champions league team. Last season they beat Barca and Chelsea on the way to finals. This time they have beaten Inter and Arsenal. As with Inter, the second leg was at San Siro. They won comfortably because they beat Inter 2-0 at Anfield. Such a result on Tuesday night would make them very firm favourites. Thinking of the Inter game, we should stay away from stupid fouls, running to the referee, arguing with him unnecessarily and stuff like that. No red cards. If we get a red card by first half, it will be at least 2-0 to Liverpool by full time.
While Benitez is playing little mind games by saying the current Chelsea team are less spirited than under Mourinho, Grant has been pretty quiet. Grant wants to project himself as the good boy of the premier league. Talking highly of rival managers and players, talking to them profusely while shaking hands before and after the match and stuff like that. This created image of him could not really allow him to play mind games. If he thinks his remarks about Gerrard are his type of mind games, sorry. I don’t think either Gerrard or Benitez would give a hoot about this. To Chelsea’s benefit, TSO from elsewhere still continued his taunts on Benitez. While saying that Chelsea will beat Liverpool this time, he said these familiar words:
Liverpool have to fight to win in all competitions and at least win a cup. If they don’t everyone will say the season was a failure. After the money Liverpool spent, they’ll understand that.
That’s more like it. Should Rafa read it, should make his blood boil. Job half done. Thanks Jose, for your continued service to Chelsea FC and your friends (players, Kenyon and Roman and the list ends there).
Before I forget, my team selection. 4-3-3 because we are missing 2-3 midfielders. Shevchenko with Joe Cole and Kalou. Lampard, Mikel and Makelele. Terry, Carvalho, Belletti and Ashley Cole. Why Shevcehnko, because why Anelka? I don’t think, by the merit of his performance, Anelka deserves a starting place in the champions league semi finals at Anfield. On Shevchenko lacking match fitness, c’mon he’s been training everday and has played some reserve matches. Shevchenko still has a personal score to settle with Liverpool after that dreadful final at Istanbul. While the Milan team have managed to erase those memories with a perfect revenge, Sheva would still be ruing that night, as it was his missed penalty that cost their team. If Sheva plays and does not click, (a) you can sub him in good time (b) just forget about it, anelka didn’t click against Barnsley, what did we do?
Fingers crossed on two things – Joe Cole’s performance and our set piece defending. I guess these two factors could very well be the most decisive things tomorrow. Joe Cole always finds that extra bit of energy when he plays Liverpool and I hope he continues to do so. While Liverpool has not scored in Stamford Bridge since Jan 2004, Joe Cole himself has scored quite a few at Anfield since then. He should lead and inspire the Chelsea attacks.
On set pieces, it so happens that our weakness happens to be Liverpool’s strength. We have concede a few goals due to poor defending this season but it’s not just the conceding part that concerns me. We appear so fragile in these circumstances that even if we play well on the attack, Liverpool will always win that dodgy free kick or corner and might make the best out of it. At best, we stick up Cech, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley Cole and Belletti. That’s our first choice world class back four plus keeper. What else can we do?
Okay, prediction time. Another chance for me to prove how poor I’m at predicting skills. Avram promises open game. So I see both teams scoring. There are reasons why we will score one more. Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea. Joe Cole and Shevchenko to score. If Shevchenko does not play, Lampard will score that second goal. I think Torres will score too. In his kind of form and our kind of defensive dilemmas, it’s hard to imagine him not scoring.
Of course I originally thought that we would win 1-0 and that’s why that option is in bold. But now I’ve changed my mind. Our recent form since I voted and the fact that Essien won’t be there have made me change my mind. We will win but we will concede. The vote on the opinion poll is very distributed but about 63% of you think that it would be advantage Chelsea after this first leg. Most of you seem to expect a score draw (a 2-2 will do nicely) and surprisingly a goalless draw seems to be the least expected result.
Something tells me it’s third time lucky for us. There’s some hidden message from the God of Football – Schalke, Rosenborg, depleted Valencia, Olympiakos with second leg at SB, Fenerbahce with second leg at SB and now Liverpool with second leg at SB. It is not a coincidence that we’ve been plotted to succeed. May be it’s our destiny to win it this time.




I agree completely with Shevchenko. He’s not been an ace in the Premier League but he hasn’t been too bad in Champions League. He’s scored a crucial goal against Rosenborg, and last season against Porto and Valencia.
And may I add, he scored one against Liverpool too, in December 07. That was in the League Cup. More than him being an ace or not now, I don’t see a reason why Anelka in his current form should play ahead of Shevchenko? Anelka’s drifting around might create gaps in defences that are naive. Liverpool is a well organised defensive unit. They don’t fall for traps so easily. With Shevchenko, we get an option for free kicks too. No Ballack, no Drogba and Lampard is not 100% sure of playing. Who will take the free kicks? Belletti? Nah. Bring on Sheva.
My team for the Champions League SF against the Red Scousers @ Anfield:
CECH
BELLETTI-JT(c)-RICCY-ASHLEY
MAKA-OBI
JOEY-LAMPS-KALOU
NICO
(4-2-3-1)
Subs (in 2nd half): SHEVA (NICO), SWP (KALOU) & BALLACK [If Fit] (OBI). Drogs should not be risked for this match and should start for the two crucial games at the Bridge (v Manchester United in PL and v Liverpool in CL 2nd Leg).
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
I am scared to play Obi , because he is strong candidate for Red Cards .
I am going for a 4-4-2, with the usual back 4, Lampard, SWP, Makalele, Joe Cole
and with both Anelka and Sheva
hey krishna, when last did Obi get a yellow card?
Hey moyo,
How often did we see Obi starting after coming back from African Cup. The last red was obviously for the Everton match just before he left.
Everyone rally for the troops in BC Shout tomorrow!
@BC
Very good article. nice read. my thoughts on it.
- This wont be a tactical stalemate as TOAD has no tactics.Expect liverpool to attack us all ends up and we just looking at fast counters and i think we will be lucky enough on those.
- Makalele will be marking gerrard and if he has a good game liverpool strength is reduced to half. Makalele becomes soo important in such games.
- benitez surprised everyone with a 4-4-2 starting both crouch and torres upfront against arsenal in the 2nd leg. i dont know why doenst chelsea tries it. When liverpool can try something so new just seeing the form of crouch and coming out successful in such an important match why cant we. I can expect a 4-4-2 again against chelsea using crouch against out dismal setpiece defending.
- you missed on our right back spot in the article but i think its gonna be important. If grant choose balletti for this tie we stand a risk and babel is gonna run him mad. i think he will pick ferreira over balletti for this tie at anfield. essien will be missed by grant.
- Refree has always been a trouble for everyone at anfield getting almost all decisions in favor of liverpool and most importantly important ones. Hope it doesnt happens this time.
- kuyt looks innocuous but he is the most hard working of them all and can come out with a surprise. We should not underestimate him.
- If we have makalele they have mascerano. He is surely gonna give tough time to lampard/ballack/joey
- one very big plus for chelsea is carvahio against liverpool. We havent had terry- carvahio partnership oflate at anfield. somehow riccy always used to injure himself before anfield. He is a big positive.
- i feel grant is gonna use alex some where in the match . RB anyone?
We used to have the best defence in europe. We used to have the best goal keeper. I dont see them any longer . Some players have to give more than their 100% to bail us out of anfield.
cheers
shevchenko scored twice against liverpool but he would be desperate to score against them in the UCL so if he plays, i expect him to give 110%
i would play paulo insted of belletti
babel will make merry on the left if belletti plays
Mourinho’s ‘tactical’ legacy still lingers with Chelsea so its going to be yet another ‘shit at end of stick’…Liverpool to win….
Good Article @BC…
i also want sheva to play today’s match, because anelka is out of form, and ALSO lampard is only half mentally fit, no ballack and drogba will only start from bench, so this is perfect situation for SHEVa, because he was leader at Milan, he showed as what he can do in Aston Villa game(his last starting in chelsea color).Go with Sheva, in full back position i will go for Belletti,i agree belletti is poor in defence and but he is strong in attack,today we are going to attack(kill) Liverpool, we should score away goal, also bellieti can deliver good ball during set piece’s. we know if lampard is not well then there is no player who can deliver ball in set piece .With belletti delivery Chelsea have scored few goals this season.
My Formation : 4-3-3 (Toad only know’s this Formation)
——————-Cech———————-
Belletti -john terry – Carvalho- Ashley Cole
—Mikel—-Makalele–Lampard———
—Joe cole—–Sheva—–Kalou——
Sub — Anelka, drogba,Malouda,SWP,hilarilo
After First half if there is no score than bring a striker for MIKEL, give Sheva the linking role between midfield and Strikers
i agree with nihongo blue
schevchenko was on very good form before he got that huge injury, he was scoring and setting up goals, i don’t think scheva is quick enough for counter attacking which we will blatantly be doing. Liverpool have a very shakey back four and constantly have trouble defending setpieces so put a couople of hitmen in the squad, for that reason, I’d play a 4-1-2-1-2, having belletti terry carvahlo and a.cole in defence, playing makalele in front of the back four for protection so that cole, kalou and lampard can push up that extra bit more with drogba and schevcenko playing up front. By keeping mikel, ballack and anelka on the bench, we can make the change to a 4-3-3 if the diamond isnt working and just as easily sub out a striker who isn’t performing
My Lineup and Prediction
Cech
Ferreira
Calvaho
Terry
AshelyCole
Makalele
Lampard
Mikel ( If no ballack )
JoeCole
Kalou
Anelka
Subs: Hilario,Alex,Drogba,Shevy and Malouda
I am very sure Drogba will start ahead, we are going to miss essien dearly. I think if we are to progress to CL Final match in Moscow, then winning at Anfield will do us alot of good. We just need to score twice as BC pointed out in his article. And more importantly out of revenge we should beat them in both legs.
Prediction: 2-2. 1-1 and 2-1 ( win by looserpool ) or unexpected away win. 1-2
Cheers
Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fabio Aurelio will be suspended for the second leg if shown a yellow card.
The only thing that comes to mind is attack… these players will be hesitant to take tough challenges!!
——————-Cech———————-
Belletti -Terry -Carvalho-A.Cole
—Essien—-Makalele–Lampard———
—Joe cole—–Drogba—–Anelka/Kalou——
Thats a good notification from Nihongo Blue @14, I am very sure the players will be aware of this situation too and take most of it.
essien is suspended k.drogba
I’ll be back later
I would play
Cech
Cole – Terry – Carvallho – Ferreira
Makalele – Mikel – Lampard
Malouda – Kalou – Cole
But that wont happen so take out Malouda & put in the hapless Anelka. I agree Shev would be better but he’s hardly played lately. For a score I predict 0-0
I like the article, I agree AG is talking bulls**t however I do think 4-2 is fanciful given how defensive both sides are. I also think you should give our manager a chance. You love JM so much but in 3 seasons in the UCL we didnt even make the final. JM did a lot right and a lot wrong, either way its time we moved on
@BC
Been busy so unable to comment
i expect this team tonight
cech
ferreira
terry
carvalho
ashley
ballack/mikel
makelele
lampard
joe
drogba
kalou
SOMEHOW I HAVE A Gut feeling,we are going through and winning in moscow.
*Liverpool have to fight to win in all competitions and at least win a cup. If they don’t everyone will say the season was a failure. After the money Liverpool spent, they’ll understand that.
BC,it got me wondering what will mourOfEssien’s post look like if we go through
“thanks o great special one for blessing us with your out-of-the-world motivational mind games.that is the reason why we went through”
@20…MourOfEssien’s post will be like as:”we won because of pressure Mouringo recently put on Rafa”…LOL…
——CECH———
Paulo–JT–Ric.C—A.Cole a classic 4-4-2 diamond with makalele holding. it also lets lamps to get forward,
——–Makalele——– and for joe to be creative.
—–Lamps—–Mikel—
——–Joe Cole——–
——Kalou———–
———–Anelka——
i would go with a 1-1 with lampard and torres on the score sheet. after one goal, we should completely shut down shop with a 5-3-2 with alex for mikel.
i hear all that praise for shevchenko, but i think its over. he lost whatever he had with chelsea when AG came, and probably his next goal will be for AC milan.
if we play this same fixture nxt season, i expect messi to also flank with joe, and quaresma playmaking. or any of the following permutations.
GO BLUES!!
im staying up for this it BETTER be good
My Lineup and Prediction
Cech
Ferreira
Calvaho
Terry
AshelyCole
Lampard
Makalele
ballack
JoeCole
Kalou
Drogba
Subs: Hilario,Alex,Mikel,Shevchenko and Malouda
Sheva deserves a crack, he is more than fresh and as stated above anelka has done nothing to stamp his name as 2nd fiddle to Drogba.
cech
belletti carvallho terry cole
maka ballack lampard
cole sheva kalou
CECH
PAULO
CARVALHO
JT
A.COLE
BALLACK
MAKALELE
LAMPS
J.COLE
DROGBA
MALOUDA
malouda for d long ball game,if it doenst work out by 60 mins,he should be subbed with swp
At 22 bluesluv
If we play 5-3-2 when we have a one goal lead then we will be pressured and will concede a few goals! We saw if happen against totenham !!! So I would stay in the same formation but let the players think a bit defensive
0-0 but I hope for a 1-0
good luck to the blues
1 Petr Cech
20 Paulo Ferreira
6 Ricardo Carvalho
26 John Terry (c)
3 Ashley Cole
13 Michael Ballack
4 Claude Makelele
8 Frank Lampard
10 Joe Cole
11 Didier Drogba
15 Florent Malouda
Subs: 40 Hilario, 35 Juliano Belletti, 33 Alex, 12 John Mikel Obi, 7 Andriy Shevchenko, 39 Nicolas Anelka.
‘supposedly’ drogba and ballack are fit – we will see if this is true by watching their every move!!
is avram that desperate to play them!!
Guys! Come over to BC Shout for the live match chat!