09 Aug 2020 12:08:38
Looking at the posts, I must have had my blue-tinted specs on last night.
Apart from the first and last 15 minutes, I thought we matched them and were very unlucky not to go in at half time at 2-2.
Considering the injuries and suspensions we had, I thought we played ok. We were playing against one of the World's best, a team full of experience and knowhow and now our young squad understand the level we need to aim for.
I thought CHO had his best game since his injury and showed what a great player he will be - remember he's only 18! James was awesome and again, given his age, showed what a future he has. I also thought Tammy had his best game in ages and is obviously learning from Giroud how to hold the ball up.
Kovacic and Mount looked knackered and obviously need a rest. Barkley needs to be sold.
All in all, I've enjoyed this season immensely. Well done to everyone at the club.
The future is bright blue.
09 Aug 2020 14:10:02
I think Bayern did to us what we did to United in FA Cup semis I. e. basically hurried us on the ball and we succumbed. You are right we matched them on occassions. That is bcos the quality in midfield and defence bet sides is not much too different in my view. kimmich, Boateng, Davies are not world class defenders. Alaba is the only world class defender. But we are much better in the midfield with kante and kova. What happened yesterday as well as in the first leg was the speed at which their players closed us. It meant they were able to catch us out in dangerous areas and the transition was easier as their players were closer to our box as we were pinned down. Kudos to flick. He has figured out their Achilles heel I. e. they don't have world class defence especially with Neuer ageing and midfield but they have very quick and fit players and turned them into a winning machine by outworking the opponent. I haven't seen the statistics but I bet there would have been lot of goal scoring opportunities with over the top balls for opponents against Bayern from Feb I. e. when they started playing the way they are doing now. However the threat is nullified bcos they have players with speed who bamboozled the opposition with their pace and precision and it's the opponents who get caught out time and again. Also lamp's tactics in both legs played into their hands especially yesterday as our team did not have a leader in pitch who would organize the team to defend against such speed play. I understand the logic of having two 8's I. e going for attack. But we don't have attackers who can break a near perfection press yesterday. Barkley should have not been there. That gave Bayern the opportunity to hit us with more venom. Basically when defending we had rudiger's all over in chelsea shirt I. e. panicked chickens running in all directions. its a good schooling for us. Hopefully lamp's learn from it in the next season. We lack leaders and basic defenders in our team. We need to get those things corrected in time to give us a shot at challenging better teams next season. Upwards and onwards chelsea!