CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - Semifinali
25-04-2007 ore 20:45
"After the defeat in Newcastle, Chelsea EPL title hope is basically over. We all know United will have a relatively easy time in EPL with only Everton and Manchester City looks threatening for them. However, Jose would know that MU should have more than enough to win those matches. Even if Jose's team beat MU in Stamford Bridge, they will still lose due to Goal Differences if they finished on level terms. Moreover, Chelsea will still have Arsenal left in the fixture which wouldn't be an easy one and another slip-up is more than possible at the Emirates stadium. Considering those factor, we all know how important CL would be for Chelsea at this stage. It is the only major silverware that they have the highest chance to grab on. Plus, one of the most prestigious award in European Soccer that Mourinho haven't had any success with during his time with Chelsea. Motivation shouldn't be lacking here for both team as Rafa looking to get his 2nd CL trophy with the Reds. So we can expect a lively clash between the two. Squad wise, Chelsea will miss Ballack and Carvalho for this clash which is a big loss especially Carvalho who has been outstanding with Terry this season. The loss of Ballack is a big one but certainly doesn't hurt as much as Carvalho's missing figure in the team. But we shouldn't worry too much about Chelsea's missing players with Essien is more than able to deputize on the centre position alongside the like of John Terry. And Chelsea depth cover in midfield where Mourinho can apply a lot of different tactics with the players he have at his disposal.
Possible Line-Up for Chelsea : Cech; Diarra/Ferreira, Essien(*), Terry, Ashley Cole; Lampard, Makelele/Mikel, Joe Cole, SWP/Kalou; Drogba, Shevchenko;
As we can see here, the lose of Ballack wouldn't hurt at all. It would be interesting though if Mourinho were to deploy SWP and Joe Cole, they could run riots Liverpool's defence.
(*)They will be without Essien as he will be suspended from the yellow cards he accumulated in the competition. This will pose a problem for Mourinho for who should deputize on the center of midfield alongside JT. Hence, Geremi and Boulahrouz are two possible candidate. We all know Gereme is quite a decent and consistent performer however his quality is one class below Carvalho. While Boulahrouz on his peak form he can equal Carvalho's quality. Just like what he showed against Ronaldinho sometimes ago eventhough he was not on the centre of the heart, but we all know that this guy can defend.But for me key battle will be in midfield. As long as Chelsea players can keep Gerrard and Mascherano at bay, this should heavily distrupt Liverpool's play. Since, Gerrard and Mascherano will play a lot of roles to set-up Liverpool's attacking flow.
Liverpool on the other hand, will also play this one with a full team bar few long term injuries. They also have Gerrard and Mascherano rested on the weekend games against Wigan. And technically Liverpool might have slight advantage since they have 1 more day of rest compared to Chelsea. However, after weighing all factors prudently.
Chelsea should edge this one. Here's why : Chelsea know that Anfield is a hard place to play and technically they should win this one to ease their path to final. With EPL seems a far way to reach, CL would be a top priority no doubt. it is true for Liverpool this is the only trophy they will fight for, but when two quality sides meet, I have to favour the home team here. With this season being possibly the last season for Mourinho despite Kenyon's attempt to end the speculation, I think Jose would like to end the season with a bang if he did leave and at least achieve everything possible during his time with Chelsea. Last but not least, Chelsea bitterly knocked out of the CL last time by Liverpool and all the players will remember how bitter the feeling, the pain and the hurt Liverpool caused to them. However that time, they still have EPL trophy to sooth their pain. This time they don't have that cushion anymore and I think this week, Chelsea boys should fight till the end of their last breath and unleash all the pain they carry for so long."
"CL 1st leg semi between two teams from the English Premier. Both teams are well coached and have excellent players. But, Chelsea is in second place in the EP and Liverpool is third with 12 points separating the two. Chelsea has won all of the last 5 Premier matches at home against Liverpool. Chelsea is undefeated at home in the EP and Liverpool has lost 7 out of 17 away games (41%). With the exception of Barcelona, Liverpool hasn't really faced any tremendous competition in the CL. I think, therefore, they will not be able to get anything against Chelsea. Mourinho and his players are totally focused, at this stage, with the CL. I think they learned their lesson against Valencia where they narrowly qualified after giving up points at home. Chelsea knows that it MUST capitalize on its home field advantage in this first round in order to avoid a difficult task in the repeat round in Liverpool. Yes, Chelsea has a few missings, but it is a team with enough depth to cope and one that knows how to get the job done."
"This has a Premier League feel to it, as Chelsea entertain Liverpool looking to bring to Anfield a decent lead to hold on to. Chelsea are still looking to achieve the Quadruple this season, a feat rarely (if ever) achieved by any team in the world... such is Chelsea's domination. Liverpool only have the Champions League to deal with, having been ousted out of the race for the Premiership crown, and out of the FA Cup as well. I am leaning towards a draw in this one... or if Liverpool can nick one, perhaps a Liverpool victory. Why? Well...
1) Liverpool have had the better of Chelsea in the European Champions League. They have played 4 times, with 3 ended 0-0, and 1 ended 1-0 to Liverpool thanks to a very controversial goal from the now injured Luis Garcia. Since the Champions League is very much a different competition to the Premier League, Chelsea's superior record in the League against Liverpool perhaps hold less weight in relevance in the context of today's game.
2) Chelsea will have to field a midfield deprived of 2 of their 4 regular midfielders. Michael Essien picked up a yellow against Valencia so he is out of today's game against the Reds, while Michael Ballack has been ruled out with an ankle problem. Ballack came off awkwardly against Newcastle, and he will be a blow because he has played in the majority of Chelsea's game this season. Arjen Robben is also out.
3) Liverpool have a healthy team to choose from. That means their first-choice 11 will all feature. My gut feeling tells me Rafa Benitez will go for a 4-5-1 formation, with Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger and Finnan at the back, Riise, Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard and Pennant in the centre and Crouch upfront. But there is every chance he might opt for the 4-4-2 he deployed against Barcelona at the Nou Camp... that would mean Bellamy and Kuyt upfront, with Pennant dropping out from midfield. Either way, it's a very strong Liverpool team taking the field today.
4) Chelsea have a very good team as well, make no mistake about that. My prediction of their line-up is as follows - Cech, Diarra, Carvalho, Terry and Cole down the back, Joe Cole, Lampard, Makalele and Wright Phillips in the middle and Shevchenko and Drogba up top. This line-up looks strong, but it could have been stronger had Ballack not injured himself and Essien not having himself suspended. I think the weak link in Chelsea's line-up is certainly down the right hand side, with Diarra and Wright Phillips both lightweight players. If Riise could rip into that for the full 90 minutes, I think Liverpool have a fair chance.
5) Mourinho has come out in the press to say that Liverpool had an edge over his team because Liverpool only have to deal with the Champions League this term, as opposed to Chelsea having to deal with 4 competitions. I think he does have a point there. With Lampard huffing and puffing the full 90 minutes against Newcastle, Gerrard sat out the Wigan game at the weekend. With Gerrard fresh in midfield, and Chelsea missing Ballack and Essien in that same department, coupled with a lethargic Lampard... the midfield tussle may well go Liverpool's way.Having said all that, Cup competitions are extremely hard to predict, because the stakes and adrenaline are so high. The side that can settle the quickest and dictate the tempo of the game will win out on the day. Liverpool's tradition and history of European success should see them more settled and composed at the early stages, holding that psychological edge over a Chelsea team that have never been past the semi-final stage. I fancy Liverpool on the handicap - the cushion of a draw is always pleasing."
I was thinking about... Chelsea's owner is a Russian man, Liverpool's new owner ( Tom Hicks )is an American very rich man... this looks like a new soccer "cold war"... played in a neutral soccer field...But Chelsea has a russian spy in his files... Everyone know his name... Sheva- Shevchenko from Ucraina...I think Sheva will score, everyone is waiting for that. He needs of a good match and this could be his gold opportunity to remember everybody he was the "Golden Ball" in 2004 and he is not gone, not yet...Again: sheva should be in a magnificent form, He rested only to prepare this match at his best...
Think that as SECOND decision i'll try with Sheva to score any time at 3.25 >>> 3.75
G.L.
FrankBanfi
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