Thursday, March 28, 2024

Who will win the Champions League final?

So Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid will contest the Champions League final in Munich, oh wait a second it’s not the Spanish giants who will contest the final, but in fact Chelsea and Bayern Munich. How did that happen?

Underdogs

Both Chelsea and Bayern Munich went into their clashes with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively as massive underdogs.

The pair was playing against arguably the best teams in Europe and wasn’t given much hope of progressing.

Yet the German and English sides triumphed against all the odds. Bayern were defeated 2-1 in Madrid in the second leg but won the tie on penalties. Chelsea came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at the Nou Camp in their leg and progress 3-2 on aggregate.

Spirit

The one thing in common these two teams had was the spirit that they showed in defeating their Spanish opponents. Although Bayern showed more attacking intent at the Bernabeu than Chelsea did at the Nou Camp, they both showed exceptional spirit to progress past the teams considered the favourites for the trophy.

Advantage

Bayern Munich will have a major advantage for the final with the game being played at their home ground the Allianz Arena. They won’t have to travel and more Bayern fans are likely to be in the stadium than Chelsea fans simply because the game is being played in Munich.

Bayern also have the advantage of facing a Chelsea team without four of their regular starters. Captain John Terry, Raul Meireles, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires will all miss the showcase through suspension.

Bayern will also be missing three players in David Alaba, Luis Gustavo and Holger Badstuber. However I don’t think their losses will be as significant as Chelsea’s will be.

It’s a massive shame for Chelsea and the game that they will be missing key players but the Blues will have to claim victory the hard way, just as they have done throughout the competition.

Destiny

As I wrote in an article earlier this week it seems that it is Chelsea’s destiny to win this seasons Champions League. They have had massive slices of luck along the way but it seems they are destined to pick up the trophy on 19th May.

Interim boss Roberto Di Matteo has been described as a lucky boss. Surely not even Di Matteo believed that his side could go so far when he took over from Andre Villas-Boas. They are now ninety minutes away from making history.

Talented

Chelsea still have talented players in their ranks, despite the absentees. Striker Didier Drogba proved that there is still life in the old Drog yet with his performances against Barcelona. The Champions League final looks set to be his Chelsea swansong with his contract expiring in the summer.

The likes of Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard had been written-off in the past. However they have found a new lease of life under Di Matteo and have shown against Barca that they can still compete against the best.

Bayern have some exceptional talent in their team as well. Wingers Franck Ribery and former-Chelsea star Arjen Robben have the talent to cause any team problems.

Then there is goal machine Mario Gomez. The German international striker has already scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, including 13 in the Champions League. The 26 year-old is the main focal point of the Bayern attack and with John Terry missing it’s going to be difficult for the Chelsea defence to contain the big striker.

Difficult

Its difficult to separate these two teams at the moment. Bayern have to be considered favourites because of the amount of key Chelsea players missing for the clash and the fact that they are playing the game on home soil.

However the Blues have shown that when their backs are against the wall they have the team spirit to come out fighting and get a result. This Champions League campaign has been amazing and all I am hope for as a football fan is a good game of football between two outstanding teams. Roll on 19th May!

 Who will claim the Champions League trophy on 19th May?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Nugent


David is a freelance football writer with nearly a decade of experience writing about the beautiful game. The experienced writer has written for over a dozen websites and also an international soccer magazine offline.
Arguably his best work has come as an editorial writer for Soccernews, sharing his good, bad and ugly opinions on the world’s favourite sport. During David’s writing career he has written editorials, betting previews, match previews, banter, news and opinion pieces.

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  • Oybek

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    no one wil stop us from defending to death and wishing for a world of luck and we have one problem, though. How the heck can we teach Hulk and Hazard in our penalty box?

  • Royal Oak Nadderwater

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    with our new sighning no one wil sop us.

  • Royal Oak Nadderwater

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    Arsenal will win it next year

  • Nigel Tabb Exeter

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    taped have watched it over 20 times.

  • Nigel Tabb Exeter

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    Cracking final

  • Royal Oak Nadderwater

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    Bavaria were robbed

  • LEN DAVEY EXETER

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    just as i predicted
    Chelsea on penalties
    i also wil predict both Exeter City and Hansa Rostock will be promoted next season.

  • vinny

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    aaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaa mahaters it won we are the champions

  • Chelseasyd

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    I think Chelsea will win the champions league on penalties anyone want a bet?

  • Brad

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    Just because a certain team deserves the win more doesn’t mean they’ll win it.

    And of course, luck plays a part in anything and everything. But defense is still key. And when someone wins, there’s no point in going into the “what if?” realm about who “coulda, woulda, shoulda” so stop being so sour.

  • Haokip

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    Surely bayern would have been the deserving winners…and i’m sure if you asked all those neutral fans who saw the match they would agree that bayern were much better than ‘chelsea defensive club'(cdc)not cfc

  • Barcelona keep tabs on Brazilian striker Nilmar

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    […] Who will win the Champions League final? (62) […]

  • cloud

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    .. undeserving you say ??? If Bayern won it and also thru PK shoot out, do they deserve it better than Chelsea, guess not.

    .. sourgrapes are everywhere now ….

    .. but nevermind that, Chelsea won fair and square with defensive football. THEY DESERVE THIS !!!!

  • Haokip

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    It proves nothing…it shows you how much ‘luck’ can play a role in making chelsea one of the most undeserving winners of the champions league. The way chelsea played in the final they did’nt even defend well,it was all down to poor finishing from bayern and extreme good-luck for chelsea….chelsea still do not deserve it

  • Haokip

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    It proves nothing…it shows you how much ‘luck’ can play a role in making chelsea one of the most undeserving winners of the champions league

  • Brad

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    wow. . . Chelsea got it. That proves it: “offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.”

  • Roy Smith

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    cloud, I don’t need a beer to be singing songs naked outside of a pub. Chelsea winning has made me do that already, and all I’ve had to drink today is water. I’d write more but my tears of joy are making the screen all blurry.

    Cheers everyone, and we Blues will see everyone in the Champions League next time ’round!

  • cloud

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    .. oh shit, CHELSEA WON !!!!! Great day for defensive football !!!!

    .. Brad, russ, roy ………. hope you’re doing your celebrating right now mates coz i’m sure i am. beers for you mates. don’t worry Brad, forget your age, drink beer and get wasted tonight.. hehehe

    .. as a neutral, I’m happy Chelsea won. the OLD DOGS WON !!!!!

  • cloud

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    .. I’m typing this after the referee blew the 2nd half of extra time. Now we’re on penalty shoot out.

    .. sorry, but i have to say this: DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL WON TONIGHT. I don’t care if Chelsea gets beaten in the PK shoot out, on regular and extra time, they held back tide upon tide of Bayern’s attack. Again, defense won over offense in this year UCL Finals.

  • Brad

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    oh yeah, because defense is so ugly, and yet even more critical than offense.

  • Haokip

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    Bayern should win and they will because chelsea do not deserve it

  • Roy Smith

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    russ, I really hope you’re right on that one. I see very little chance in a Chelsea victory unless Luiz can fulfil his promise and be fit for Saturday.

  • russ ru

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    “Bayern will also be missing three
    players in David Alaba, Luis Gustavo
    and Holger Badstuber. However I
    don’t think their losses will be as
    significant as Chelsea’s will be.” any neutral will disagree i hope. Have watched alaba play and he’s for me the best young player i’ve seen in a really REALLY long time. Trust me his absence will be felt! Can compare his heart to that of ramires of chelsea. Desire and will to win

  • cloud

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    .. haokip, i wouldn’t be too harsh on Di Matteo. Let’s not forgot that Sir Alex blew out an 8 point lead and surrendered their Title to Manchester City. This has been a very crazy season in the EPL.

    .. Remember that Chelsea had a coach that has won trophies before in the form of VILLAS-BOAS, he was already a champion but he never won the respect of his Blues players.

    .. this is the same situation as Avram Grant before, he was also a care-taker coach after they sacked Jose, but they reached the FINALS that year but was defeated and so Roman didn’t give Grant the chance to be a full time coach and they got Scolari, but they didn’t achieved anything with him ( scolari ).

    .. Di Matteo has at least earned the respect of his players, so it’s a safe bet to let him stay.

  • Brad

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    Which I’m sure they’ll do their level best to prove it Oybek.

  • Oybek

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    The CL final should be really intriguing in that it is Chelsea’s only chance to claim next year CL qualifying spot and probably to prove that they still matter, whereas the final is the only chance for Bayern to reclaim their fans’ trust and support having been beaten by Borussia Dormund twice, which cost them both Bundesliga championship and DFB Pokal. The onus is on Chelsea to prove the world it wasn’t just sheer dumb luck that allowed them to make it tothe final.

  • haokip

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    chelsea should sacked di matteo regardless of the outcome of the ucl final because he does not belong in the big league. He would fit in nicely as a coach of norwich or swansea and other such teams because the way chelsea approach the match and the way they played against barca was exactly how norwich or other such teams would have played if they were to play barca in the ucl semifinal. I’m a big chelsea fan and though i’m happy that they reach the final,i’m disgusted with the way they played.And as long as chelsea played the same way like they do against barca they will not be considered a major club or major powerhouse of europe,and even if they win the final and become the european champions people would not considered them as the best

  • cloud

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    .. Brad, we share the same sentiment in rooting for Chelsea. I jokingly call them Old-Dogs, hehe. This is the last chance players like Drogba and the ” old dogs” of Chelsea to win the UCL. And maybe IF they win, Roman will let go of his tight grip in Chelsea and let the coach ( be it Di Matteo or a new one ) do his job the way it’s supposed to.

  • Brad

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    I personally love watching the Big Two in La Liga. It just gets old seeing them win it over and over though. . . and in the EPL, though it pains me to say it (as a United fan), congratulations to Manchester City for winning the title in what has probably been the best EPL season ever.

    Back to the subject.

    I don’t like hoping for Chelsea to win the CL title, as they are a big rival to the Red Devils, but as a underdog lover I can’t help but support them against Bayern Munich. Munich has the history of winning in the CL. Chelsea doesn’t.

  • cloud

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    .. rustam, pardon, but it’s clear that you didn’t read my comments at all. kindly scroll up and read what I said on MAY 11 … let me just quote one of my lines there:

    ….. But this isn’t about me, i’m just a nobody, this is about the UCL FINALS – Chelsea against Bayern. And we’re discussing here the paths on how Bayern and Chelsea reached there …….

    .. you’re the one who’s clearly stating Barcelona with your “exhaustion excuse” post, not me. I was only replying to your comment.

  • Rustam

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    Cloud,
    Let me see- aren’t you the first if not the only person here constantly mentioning Barca in your comments? Look, it is altogether logical that you should favor Chelsea at CL Final since Bayern kicked your club out. But, no matter how much pleasure you get out of it, would you stop fixating on those semis and leave Barca alone for the sake of the fans whose clubs do play in the final?

  • cloud

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    .. rustam, no offense, but why are you making excuses, like Barca we’re unfortunate with their schedule and the Blues players are well rested ?? Aren’t you insulting the Chelsea team and it’s supporters with that statement ……

    .. big clubs such as Barca should have the depth to deal with the super busy schedule of January to April, with games from Copa Del Rey, La Liga and UCL. They’re basically playing every three days. EXHAUSTION IS NOT AN EXCUSE.

    .. and rustam, I never said Barca’s style of football isn’t effective ALL THROUGH OUT. I only said, ONLY ON THAT SEMI FINAL TIE between Chelsea that the more defensive tactic won over the offensive one.

    .. please rustam, before you get into some violent reactions, please read my comments thoroughly, don’t be decieved that I’m a Madridista that all my statements would be anti-barca. I’m trying to be as neutral and as objective as possible.. My anti-barca stand was only during those “cheating moments”.

  • Rustam

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    Claud,
    Why would you not be cool with your RM losing to Bayern inasmuch as the latter proved to be more superior by their performance in both legs. There is nothing much to discuss but accepting this REALITY. Contrary to the theory you are trying to sell, Bayern did not give a hoot about defense in both legs and reaped the benefit fair and square in your words.

    As for your FACT stuff, would you still consider you being realistic closing your eyes to the facts that Barca had the most unfortunate fixture in terms of both in-between days and La Liga matches throughout the CL semis and that Pique was forced to leave the pitch due to injury and that Di Matteo elected to rest his players before second leg at the expense of potentially desirable EPL spot but Pep didn’t?

    You should be careful about the message you are trying to send across the board. It took more and more people and years of hard and meticulous work for Barca to form their current style. Wouldn’t it be inconsiderate of you to discard it out of hand based on a single match? Don’t you think they deserve at least miniscule amount of tribute to sticking to their intrinsic philosophy of game?

  • cloud

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    .. in a way I would agree with you Oybek that Barca failed to capitalized on their numbers’ advantage and with “bad luck” hitting the crossbar twice.

  • Oybek

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    Rustam, good job with your comments about Barca and RM dominating this forum. I’d like to add that this forum is not alone. Not a single discussion pertaining to football is held these days without explicit reference to one or both of the Spanish Giants. For what it is worth, these two clubs do deserve credit for this achievement.
    Re your arguments about Offense vs. Defense, I share your view that being equally important, neither of the approaches should be preferred to the detriment of the other. In an ideal world, it is reasonable to assume that most fans would like to see their teams employ them evenly.
    I further back you up on your assumption that the whole offense vs defense issue was spurred by the inconceivable turn of events between Chelsea vs Barca ties. Barca’s failure at these semis first and foremost should be attributed to the fact that they were unable to draw a rational balance between their offense and defense. I wouldn’t say Chelsea’s defense was perfect, for they did concede two goals at Nou Camp. After scoring two goals, Barca should have allowed Chelsea to respond in order to make their concrete-like defense more vulnerable and take the advantage by counter-attacks.
    In a nutshell, the outcome of Chelsea vs Barca ties by no means suggests that Chelsea’s excessive defense saved the day for them but rather Barca’s failure to play smart.

  • Brad

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    You can win 1-0 all you want, each goal, therefore, would be worth 3 points. I think any Iltalians who regularly visit this website may agree ( and no racism or stereotyping intended, I’ll add).

    As for me, Rustam, any time United faces Barca, I don’t give a flip for the match. Barca wins either way. And, to me, there is no shame whatsoever in losing to the Catalan side, so long as they don’t cheat (which every team becomes guilty of that somewhere in their history).

    I didn’t like that SAF went for the defensive approach against City. I was wanting to tear the noisy neighbors up at their home stadium, in return for what they did at Old Trafford. In this case, the defense first strategy failed.

    But it HAS succeeded enough, though, to prove that while “offense sells tickets. . .” “defense wins championships.” Back to the Italians, they have won 4 WC. While the 1st one was bought, they won all 3 of the rest via hard defensive work rate. For football romantics such as me, it isn’t likable, but its efficiency is duly noted.

    And even Brazil, who won the 1958, 1962, 1970, and 2002 WC with offensive style, won it again in 1994, this time with defensive-minded strategy.

    That’s not the way Brazil plays, but it worked for them. It can work for anyone. It worked for Chelsea. . .

  • cloud

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    @haokip, so, you would prefer Barcelona scoring 10 goals but having zero points rather than 1 goal but 3 points ?? I can’t blame you, coz you’re only a spectator just like everyone else here ( including me of course ). But try to tell that to a coach, i’m sure he’ll think otherwise. Coz in a championship race, goals doesn’t matter, but the points earn – the 3 valuable points that will help you win the championship.

  • cloud

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    .. rustam, and it is quite obvious that you didn’t read the entire discussions above. I clearly stated that that we should focus on the Bayern-Chelsea tie and how they got there.

    .. coz the way i read your comments, i guess you’re the one who’s bitter that Barca lost to a defensive Chelsea. look at me, Real also lost to Bayern, but hey, I’m cool with it, anyone who wants to discuss to how Real loss that tie, i’m open to discussions….

    .. as for the defensive strategy Jose opted against Barca, that was crazy as shit, I’m a Real Madrid fan, but i’m not blind, that was the worst decision Jose made in his entire coaching career – TO HAVE PEPE ON MIDFIELD. On a personal note, i was kicking the shit out of the coach for that.

    .. and with your last paragraph; you failed to read my comments above .. but let me just post it here again: …. .. but on a tactical point of view, coaches tend to change or adapt their strategy with each opponent they face….

    .. and who says I hate Barca to the bone, nope, I don’t. It’s only during those controversial “Cheating” moments that I hate them.

    .. but can i ask you: WHERE DOES THE BALL USUALLY COMES FROM IN EVERY SINGLE PLAY ??? Doesn’t it start from the back line ?? Doesn’t it start from the defensive back line then up to midfield then up to the forwards ?? Or doesn’t it start from a good interception from a good defense then going up to a counter attack ??

    .. and i’m just being realistic, during the Chelsea-Barca tie, Barca lost to a defensive Chelsea- THAT’S A FACT. THAT’S REALITY. How in the world would I make up a theory in football when I was only basing my arguements on simple fact… and that fact is, let me just reiterate. Barca lost to a defensive Chelsea.

    .. in the end, it still depends to how Chelsea nor Bayern would want to play during the Finals.

  • Haokip

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    Yes cloud,i would love to see a match even if my team lose 10-9 rather than a match where they win 1-0 while defending for the whole 90 minutes because that is not how barcelona play

  • Rustam

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    It is obvious that most of the ideas and comments provided here are irrevant to the main article above, rather ever-lasting debates between Barca and RM fans. Even those who claim to support neither club are providing comments against Barca probably because at some point in the past Barca bitterly disappointed them by defeating their clubs. The people here claiming to prefer defensive football to mostly attacking one seem to be stark opportunists in that they have long waited for the semis between Barca and Chelsea, which fortunately for them turned out to their favor finally and hopefully once.

    Cloud, did you have the same opinion about defensive vs. offensive tactic when your RM was crushed (1-2) in the first leg of Copa Del Rey earlier this year when the so-claimed Special One chose to play defensively only to see the very RM fans at Bernabeo booing him to death. Or ask MU fans how they felt about MU losing to Man City mostly because Sir elected to follow defensively.
    The recent and long history of football is dotted with cases where neither tactic has always been superior. No singe case can be a basis for you to claim that defensive type is superior to offincive one. Keep your hatred towards Barca aside and be realistic; it may be a matter of seconds before you realize that your unfounded theory proves to be simply a bunk.

  • Brad

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    Ouch, Cloud. I sure as mess wouldn’t!!!!!!

  • cloud

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    .. Brad said: “So, yeah, defense, while not likable, is more important than offense. ”

    .. i couldn’t agree more on that. Defensive type of football might be boring on a spectators point of view. But on a manager’s stand point; when it gives you the result you desire, WHICH IS TO WIN, then heck with the fans. The fans wouldn’t mind at all, as long as their team wins.

    .. @haokip, it’s safe to assume that you would rather see a game ending 10-9 with your team losing, that a game with a 1-0 result with your team winning ??

  • Brad

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    Okay, Haokip, I didn’t try to get across this pessimistic view about the death of football romanticism and therefore attacking football, but the most important thing in the world is defense, because the other team can’t win if they can’t score. I’d rather 1 point to none.

    And I notice that you didn’t say anything to Cloud, who has backed me up on this. The fact is there: for once, at least, the unbelievable offensive firepower of Barcalona couldn’t overcome the fortress that is Chelsea’s defense, so Chelsea are in the final because of DEFENSE, not offense. Want another example? The USA did the same thing in the 09 Confeds Cup, beating Spain, who calls upon quite a few of the Spaniards who’ve made Barca so dominant, especially on offense, with DEFENSIVE play. Spain got frustrated, as they probably did expect an easy victory, and sent too many players up. That left them open to counter-attacks that led to goals. The Americans put in the defensive work to maintain the clean sheet, which was impressive enough by itself, but to come along with a win? Amazing. . .

    So, yeah, defense, while not likable, is more important than offense.

    Time to stop thinking of stupid “what if?” moments and get on with the real deal. . . I don’t like defense over offense, especially since I myself play as a forward for my team, but I can never stress enough on how much more important it is than offense.

  • cloud

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    .. mardon, are you talking football in general or only the barca-chelsea tie ?? my personal preference to watch AS A FAN and in general, is good flowing attacking football. But this isn’t about me, i’m just a nobody, this is about the UCL FINALS – Chelsea against Bayern. And we’re discussing here the paths on how Bayern and Chelsea reached there. And let me just point out that i’m not trying to decry Barca, coz they played fairly that day, unlike those other games, such as the Chelsea of years ago, the red card of RVP, the drama of Alves on Pepe and the weird PK against Milan.

    .. and if we shift our attention to the Munich-Madrid 2nd leg, both teams opted for an offensive approach, but both teams lost. I considered them to be both losers coz nobody won it during Regular and Extra Time. It was utterly shocking seeing goal-monster-ronaldo’s penalty being saved and kaka’s also. And more so that the Best GoalKeeper in the World Casillas failed us that day. But worst of the worst is why the heck did they allow Sergio Ramos to take one spot, there’s Ozil or even Di Maria or even Higuain to take the PK.

    .. but on a tactical point of view, coaches tend to change or adapt their strategy with each opponent they face.

  • Mardon

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    Cloud,
    I hope and believe that the football itself will soon prove you wrong. No fan should favor Chelsea tactic over Barca’s. I still find it hard to believe that you also used to favor overly defensive tactic being RM fan. Could it be that you are simply taking the advantage of the semis barca vs chelsea to decry Barca, RM’s long-time arch rival?

  • cloud

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    .. and Mardon, things never turned out as expected – THAT BARCA WILL TRASH CHELSEA AT CAMP NOU on the 2nd leg. you see, in any sport, there’s no point in discussing WHAT IF situations. It’s better to focus on facts.

  • cloud

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    mardon, as a madridista, Real’s loss to Bayern thru penalty shoot out was painful enough, especially when Kaka and Ronaldo failed, but that’s football for you. You win and you lose.

    .. and as for your question mardon, I would still continue this discussion of Defense-OR-Attack tactics IF it was Real that got beaten by Chelsea with their defense. And yeah, I agree on you with luck being on Chelsea’s side during that Tie in the Semis.

  • Mardon

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    Cloud,

    Please tell me if you would bother doing this discussion if Clealsea beat RM this way. Would your theories propping defensive tactic hold any water had the things turned out as expected- I mean if Barca had won? Don’t you think the oft-ignored but sometimes decisive luck was also with Chelsea throughout their CL survival?

  • Vijay Kumar.M.P.

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    The team which wins Chelsea will lift the trophy will lift the Title.This had happened for the last 3 CL leagues continuously.In 2008,Barca bet Chelsea in semis,then Inter Milan bet Chelsea,then Barca once again bet chelsea.So there is no chance of winning of Chelsea…

  • cloud

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    .. let’s take it like this:

    .. 1st leg of SEMIS: Barca vs Chelsea. Chelsea = defense. Barca = all out attack. In the end no matter how impressive the attacking power of Barca have, they weren’t able to break Chelsea’s defense wall. And what’s worst for Barca is Chelsea only had two chances but they managed to score.

    .. now, unto the 2nd leg. Chelsea basically was playing with ten men for 60 minutes and we all know that it gives Barca super advantage, but Chelsea made an iron wall and held off every Barca attack and to everyone’s surprise, Torres gave Chelsea the win on extra time.

    .. as we can see on both games, it was the defensive tactic that won against the offense-mentality.

    .. like i said, no matter what strategy a team applies as long as they win fair and square, then no problem.

  • Haokip

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    brad which match would you prefer to watch…a match where both teams played an open and attacking football with a lot of goals or a match where only one team attack and the other team defend the whole match and shot on target for both teams at the end of the match is zero

  • Brad

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    In other words, the time for football purism/romanticism is over.

  • Brad

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    Haokip, have you ever heard of this phrase: “Offense sells tickets, Defense wins Championships.” It doesn’t matter about scoring one more goal than your opponent, but about conceding one goal LESS.

    I know that sounds pessimistic, but defense is more important than offense. Catenaccio, when first invented, wasn’t actually such an ugly, negative, boring, and redundant idea as it later evolved into. It was actually quite elegant, if sometimes/somewhat no nonsense, especially on the counterattack.

  • cloud

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    @haokip, i can’t understand to what you’re referring to as BEAUTIFUL GAME. You mean, an attacking-type of football ?? How can you people be disgusted of how Chelsea is playing ?? Defending is also part of football and that kind of approach has helped them reached the Finals, give them ( Chelsea ) credit for that. And isn’t it just the best recipe for a UCL FINAL. One team is all out attack, while the other is just defending, let’s see which strategy is most effective.

    @don, there you go again with your nonsense. Why would I talk about Real Madrid in this article when Madrid lost to Bayern. The discussion should be and only be focused on Chelsea and Bayern Munich. I’m a Madrid fan, but that doesn’t mean that I’m jumping ship to who’s on top at the moment, i’ve been a Madrid fan all my life, been supporting them both on their High’s and Low’s.. As what Brad has said, you admitted that you were a Madrid fan before but transferred your affection to Barca, now tell me, who’s the one jumping ship ??

  • Brad

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    “My O my,, my kids r still fighting hmmm!! brady and cloudy will neverrr get matured.”

    Don, shameful of you, you bring embarrassment not only on yourself, but also this website. For the record, I’m a United fan, stating support for Chelsea isn’t easy for me. As for the rats jumping off the ship that is sinking, I recall you said you were once a Real Madrid fan, and claimed to be wrong? And then started supporting Barca? Wouldn’t you call THAT being a rat? The only person wasting their energy is you, as you only talk nonsense to people who actually know stuff about football.

  • Haokip

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    I don’t think any true fan of football would want chelsea to win because that team do not know how to play the beautiful game the only thing they know is to throw themselves in front of a striker when he is about to shoot…and to kick somebody in the ass for no reason..the captain leading from the front. I really hope for bayern win in order to do justice to the ‘beautiful game’

  • don

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    My O my,, my kids r still fighting hmmm!! brady & cloudy will neverrr get matured. “Silent waters have greatest of depths”, have u forgotten this. Oybek great lines from u i admire for the first time, this is what i said b4 & i repeat again “when ships start getting sinking, rats r d first to hop off”. and same is noticed here. These kindda cheap class fans often change their clubs as cloths, as they r admitting their support for some Chelsea club i barely have heard of. They in other words can b called as worshipers of rising sun. When its nothing left they r wasting their energy on rubbish topics. But i have nothing to do with both of them in finals of champs league. i m not like you guyz if u stretch the strings of chelsea i would support the other way, i too would like those blues to get smthng outta it but as v all know Bayern have mighty Ribery & Robben who r capable enough to disable any outfit in the world as they dismantled Man Utd b4 their crowd on their own pitch, and using commonsense i would say on theirr own home ground they will be the favourites as i think chelsea’s level is not even comparable with united outfit whom Mighty Barca rubbed in london @ Wembley & b4 that in other final. I d fully doubt that Bayern will burn Chelsea in their spiritual inferno @ Allianz Arena.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. @ BLUBB, that was what everyone was saying when Chelsea played Barca on the second leg, that Barca will flatten them with a 5-0 score. But look what happened, Barca went bye-bye….

    .. @KGHAN, Chelsea played fair and square. That was their tactic to DEFEND, why are you crying about that ?? oh yeah, coz barca lost. Deal with the reality that in football there are only two tactics; to defend or to attack. As long as you win, that’s what matters.

  • martin musodza

    0 0

    chelseaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  • blubb

    0 0

    What spirit are you guys talking about? Chelsea is just lucky but even that won’t help them against Bayern. They’re clearly the stronger team…they’ll win the CL
    GO BAYERN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • pedzzi

    0 0

    to me it jus shows that u guys are not exposed to the bundesliga.. bayern is the team whether u like it or not…….. face the truth and relieve yourselves… am out

  • Kghan

    0 0

    I believe the team that can play 10 0 0 game plan defending for 180 home and away and claim to be deserved winners !!!??? he he he … they sure can defend for another 120 minutes and who knows what could happen in a penalty shoot out … So, Chelsea will defend and defend – if they successfully defend for 120 minutes without conceding – I see it going to penalty shoot out … I don’t see Chelsea going through it winners – an old philosophy – I know the excitement of reaching the final is BLINDING the Chelsea fans from the reality of: a Team that defends for 180 minutes DO NOT deserve to play never mind be in finals – and therefore should not be worthy of lifting trophies at all, in this case you don’t need star players to win games, just collect any 9 players who can kick a ball and LOCK the 18 yards with 1 OK quality chance hunting striker to run in totally empty field and score – do you call this a WIN ?? hehehehe … don’t fly high – your wings will not carry you higher than your level. I am hoping to see a good game from both sides not a one sided game in the name of JUST WIN claim. Good luck to both. Barca fan.

  • oybek

    0 0

    “. the Barca fans of this website has proved to everybody their immaturity. Since Barca has been knocked out, they all become silent. Not even celebrating for the feat of Bayern and Chelsea for reaching the Finals.”

    Cloud, did you expect Barca fans to support Bayern and criticize Chelsea? They probably simply do not care. You are probably bored because no one is listening to your mercurial tunes anymore; Barca fans boycotted you! Personally, though, I congratulate both teams on their achievements so far and hope the stronger one will win!

  • Anthony

    0 0

    Roman would be a complete idiot if he doesn’t give RDM the job. Whether RDM wins CL or not, he deserves it completely. He has 1 loss and a few draws since taking over and if he was in charge at the start of the season Chelsea could be fighting for the title. I think Roman should give RDM a chance and prove that this year is no fluke, because no one goes from being fired at WBA to beating barcelona on their way to the CL finals.
    I think Chelsea will win the finals thanks to their belief, faith and spirit! LETS GOOO CHELSEAAAA!!! 🙂

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. thanks for the correction brad, hehe.

    .. anyway, a win for either side will be historical. If Munich wins, Jupp Heynckes will be the third coach to win a UCL crown with two different countries. And if Chelsea lifts the trophy, it will be their first.

    .. but the question remains: IF Chelsea is successful will they keep De Matteo as coach ?? Or would they lure Pep to London ??

  • DONEGOZIEAKU EMMAUEL

    0 0

    I went to say this to fan I want all of u let us come and support chelsea pls they will this match as fear as u belive God is with us every will they in control ok

  • DONEGOZIEAKU EMMAUEL

    0 0

    But today match chelsea will defit the match ok then I put chelsea player in pray so that they will come in champion leg in next season

  • DONEGOZIEAKU EMMAUEL

    0 0

    When in drem I said chelsea defit berca in semi final gods of football in follow them the will win The troph

  • Brad

    0 0

    Cloud, correction: all of them except for Don is silent.

  • Great Igiekhume

    0 0

    In spite of the hurdle in the shape of Bayern,I see the Chelsea spirit claiming the trophy this term.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. the Barca fans of this website has proved to everybody their immaturity. Since Barca has been knocked out, they all become silent. Not even celebrating for the feat of Bayern and Chelsea for reaching the Finals.

  • Anthony

    0 0

    CHELSEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! I DOOO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES AND ITS NOW THEIR YEARR!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Brad

    0 0

    Chelsea. They deserve it for knocking out Barca. Unbelievable, I thought that when the Blues won at Stamford Bridge all they had done is wake up a giant.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. i bet Chelsea will win due to the simple truth that they beat Barca at Camp Nou with only ten men. Their coach said IT’S ABOUT DETERMINATION. Home ground advantage means nothing to Chelsea, they weren’t intimidated one bit at Camp Nou and no matter what people say that Chelsea plays with 10 men in defense as long as they win, it’s enough.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. i bet Chelsea will win due to the simple truth that they beat Barca at Camp Nou with only ten men. Their coach said IT’S ABOUT DETERMINATION. Home ground advantage means nothing to Chelsea, they weren’t intimidated one bit at Camp Nou and no matter what people say that Chelsea plays with 10 men in defense as long as they win, it’s enough.

  • Brad

    0 0

    Chelsea. They deserve it for knocking out Barca. Unbelievable, I thought that when the Blues won at Stamford Bridge all they had done is wake up a giant.

  • Anthony

    0 0

    CHELSEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! I DOOO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES AND ITS NOW THEIR YEARR!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. the Barca fans of this website has proved to everybody their immaturity. Since Barca has been knocked out, they all become silent. Not even celebrating for the feat of Bayern and Chelsea for reaching the Finals.

  • Great Igiekhume

    0 0

    In spite of the hurdle in the shape of Bayern,I see the Chelsea spirit claiming the trophy this term.

  • Brad

    0 0

    Cloud, correction: all of them except for Don is silent.

  • DONEGOZIEAKU EMMAUEL

    0 0

    When in drem I said chelsea defit berca in semi final gods of football in follow them the will win The troph

  • DONEGOZIEAKU EMMAUEL

    0 0

    But today match chelsea will defit the match ok then I put chelsea player in pray so that they will come in champion leg in next season

  • DONEGOZIEAKU EMMAUEL

    0 0

    I went to say this to fan I want all of u let us come and support chelsea pls they will this match as fear as u belive God is with us every will they in control ok

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. thanks for the correction brad, hehe.

    .. anyway, a win for either side will be historical. If Munich wins, Jupp Heynckes will be the third coach to win a UCL crown with two different countries. And if Chelsea lifts the trophy, it will be their first.

    .. but the question remains: IF Chelsea is successful will they keep De Matteo as coach ?? Or would they lure Pep to London ??

  • Anthony

    0 0

    Roman would be a complete idiot if he doesn’t give RDM the job. Whether RDM wins CL or not, he deserves it completely. He has 1 loss and a few draws since taking over and if he was in charge at the start of the season Chelsea could be fighting for the title. I think Roman should give RDM a chance and prove that this year is no fluke, because no one goes from being fired at WBA to beating barcelona on their way to the CL finals.
    I think Chelsea will win the finals thanks to their belief, faith and spirit! LETS GOOO CHELSEAAAA!!! 🙂

  • oybek

    0 0

    “. the Barca fans of this website has proved to everybody their immaturity. Since Barca has been knocked out, they all become silent. Not even celebrating for the feat of Bayern and Chelsea for reaching the Finals.”

    Cloud, did you expect Barca fans to support Bayern and criticize Chelsea? They probably simply do not care. You are probably bored because no one is listening to your mercurial tunes anymore; Barca fans boycotted you! Personally, though, I congratulate both teams on their achievements so far and hope the stronger one will win!

  • Kghan

    0 0

    I believe the team that can play 10 0 0 game plan defending for 180 home and away and claim to be deserved winners !!!??? he he he … they sure can defend for another 120 minutes and who knows what could happen in a penalty shoot out … So, Chelsea will defend and defend – if they successfully defend for 120 minutes without conceding – I see it going to penalty shoot out … I don’t see Chelsea going through it winners – an old philosophy – I know the excitement of reaching the final is BLINDING the Chelsea fans from the reality of: a Team that defends for 180 minutes DO NOT deserve to play never mind be in finals – and therefore should not be worthy of lifting trophies at all, in this case you don’t need star players to win games, just collect any 9 players who can kick a ball and LOCK the 18 yards with 1 OK quality chance hunting striker to run in totally empty field and score – do you call this a WIN ?? hehehehe … don’t fly high – your wings will not carry you higher than your level. I am hoping to see a good game from both sides not a one sided game in the name of JUST WIN claim. Good luck to both. Barca fan.

  • pedzzi

    0 0

    to me it jus shows that u guys are not exposed to the bundesliga.. bayern is the team whether u like it or not…….. face the truth and relieve yourselves… am out

  • blubb

    0 0

    What spirit are you guys talking about? Chelsea is just lucky but even that won’t help them against Bayern. They’re clearly the stronger team…they’ll win the CL
    GO BAYERN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • martin musodza

    0 0

    chelseaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. @ BLUBB, that was what everyone was saying when Chelsea played Barca on the second leg, that Barca will flatten them with a 5-0 score. But look what happened, Barca went bye-bye….

    .. @KGHAN, Chelsea played fair and square. That was their tactic to DEFEND, why are you crying about that ?? oh yeah, coz barca lost. Deal with the reality that in football there are only two tactics; to defend or to attack. As long as you win, that’s what matters.

  • don

    0 0

    My O my,, my kids r still fighting hmmm!! brady & cloudy will neverrr get matured. “Silent waters have greatest of depths”, have u forgotten this. Oybek great lines from u i admire for the first time, this is what i said b4 & i repeat again “when ships start getting sinking, rats r d first to hop off”. and same is noticed here. These kindda cheap class fans often change their clubs as cloths, as they r admitting their support for some Chelsea club i barely have heard of. They in other words can b called as worshipers of rising sun. When its nothing left they r wasting their energy on rubbish topics. But i have nothing to do with both of them in finals of champs league. i m not like you guyz if u stretch the strings of chelsea i would support the other way, i too would like those blues to get smthng outta it but as v all know Bayern have mighty Ribery & Robben who r capable enough to disable any outfit in the world as they dismantled Man Utd b4 their crowd on their own pitch, and using commonsense i would say on theirr own home ground they will be the favourites as i think chelsea’s level is not even comparable with united outfit whom Mighty Barca rubbed in london @ Wembley & b4 that in other final. I d fully doubt that Bayern will burn Chelsea in their spiritual inferno @ Allianz Arena.

  • Haokip

    0 0

    I don’t think any true fan of football would want chelsea to win because that team do not know how to play the beautiful game the only thing they know is to throw themselves in front of a striker when he is about to shoot…and to kick somebody in the ass for no reason..the captain leading from the front. I really hope for bayern win in order to do justice to the ‘beautiful game’

  • Brad

    0 0

    “My O my,, my kids r still fighting hmmm!! brady and cloudy will neverrr get matured.”

    Don, shameful of you, you bring embarrassment not only on yourself, but also this website. For the record, I’m a United fan, stating support for Chelsea isn’t easy for me. As for the rats jumping off the ship that is sinking, I recall you said you were once a Real Madrid fan, and claimed to be wrong? And then started supporting Barca? Wouldn’t you call THAT being a rat? The only person wasting their energy is you, as you only talk nonsense to people who actually know stuff about football.

  • cloud

    0 0

    @haokip, i can’t understand to what you’re referring to as BEAUTIFUL GAME. You mean, an attacking-type of football ?? How can you people be disgusted of how Chelsea is playing ?? Defending is also part of football and that kind of approach has helped them reached the Finals, give them ( Chelsea ) credit for that. And isn’t it just the best recipe for a UCL FINAL. One team is all out attack, while the other is just defending, let’s see which strategy is most effective.

    @don, there you go again with your nonsense. Why would I talk about Real Madrid in this article when Madrid lost to Bayern. The discussion should be and only be focused on Chelsea and Bayern Munich. I’m a Madrid fan, but that doesn’t mean that I’m jumping ship to who’s on top at the moment, i’ve been a Madrid fan all my life, been supporting them both on their High’s and Low’s.. As what Brad has said, you admitted that you were a Madrid fan before but transferred your affection to Barca, now tell me, who’s the one jumping ship ??

  • Brad

    0 0

    Haokip, have you ever heard of this phrase: “Offense sells tickets, Defense wins Championships.” It doesn’t matter about scoring one more goal than your opponent, but about conceding one goal LESS.

    I know that sounds pessimistic, but defense is more important than offense. Catenaccio, when first invented, wasn’t actually such an ugly, negative, boring, and redundant idea as it later evolved into. It was actually quite elegant, if sometimes/somewhat no nonsense, especially on the counterattack.

  • Brad

    0 0

    In other words, the time for football purism/romanticism is over.

  • Haokip

    0 0

    brad which match would you prefer to watch…a match where both teams played an open and attacking football with a lot of goals or a match where only one team attack and the other team defend the whole match and shot on target for both teams at the end of the match is zero

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. let’s take it like this:

    .. 1st leg of SEMIS: Barca vs Chelsea. Chelsea = defense. Barca = all out attack. In the end no matter how impressive the attacking power of Barca have, they weren’t able to break Chelsea’s defense wall. And what’s worst for Barca is Chelsea only had two chances but they managed to score.

    .. now, unto the 2nd leg. Chelsea basically was playing with ten men for 60 minutes and we all know that it gives Barca super advantage, but Chelsea made an iron wall and held off every Barca attack and to everyone’s surprise, Torres gave Chelsea the win on extra time.

    .. as we can see on both games, it was the defensive tactic that won against the offense-mentality.

    .. like i said, no matter what strategy a team applies as long as they win fair and square, then no problem.

  • Vijay Kumar.M.P.

    0 0

    The team which wins Chelsea will lift the trophy will lift the Title.This had happened for the last 3 CL leagues continuously.In 2008,Barca bet Chelsea in semis,then Inter Milan bet Chelsea,then Barca once again bet chelsea.So there is no chance of winning of Chelsea…

  • Mardon

    0 0

    Cloud,

    Please tell me if you would bother doing this discussion if Clealsea beat RM this way. Would your theories propping defensive tactic hold any water had the things turned out as expected- I mean if Barca had won? Don’t you think the oft-ignored but sometimes decisive luck was also with Chelsea throughout their CL survival?

  • cloud

    0 0

    mardon, as a madridista, Real’s loss to Bayern thru penalty shoot out was painful enough, especially when Kaka and Ronaldo failed, but that’s football for you. You win and you lose.

    .. and as for your question mardon, I would still continue this discussion of Defense-OR-Attack tactics IF it was Real that got beaten by Chelsea with their defense. And yeah, I agree on you with luck being on Chelsea’s side during that Tie in the Semis.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. and Mardon, things never turned out as expected – THAT BARCA WILL TRASH CHELSEA AT CAMP NOU on the 2nd leg. you see, in any sport, there’s no point in discussing WHAT IF situations. It’s better to focus on facts.

  • Mardon

    0 0

    Cloud,
    I hope and believe that the football itself will soon prove you wrong. No fan should favor Chelsea tactic over Barca’s. I still find it hard to believe that you also used to favor overly defensive tactic being RM fan. Could it be that you are simply taking the advantage of the semis barca vs chelsea to decry Barca, RM’s long-time arch rival?

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. mardon, are you talking football in general or only the barca-chelsea tie ?? my personal preference to watch AS A FAN and in general, is good flowing attacking football. But this isn’t about me, i’m just a nobody, this is about the UCL FINALS – Chelsea against Bayern. And we’re discussing here the paths on how Bayern and Chelsea reached there. And let me just point out that i’m not trying to decry Barca, coz they played fairly that day, unlike those other games, such as the Chelsea of years ago, the red card of RVP, the drama of Alves on Pepe and the weird PK against Milan.

    .. and if we shift our attention to the Munich-Madrid 2nd leg, both teams opted for an offensive approach, but both teams lost. I considered them to be both losers coz nobody won it during Regular and Extra Time. It was utterly shocking seeing goal-monster-ronaldo’s penalty being saved and kaka’s also. And more so that the Best GoalKeeper in the World Casillas failed us that day. But worst of the worst is why the heck did they allow Sergio Ramos to take one spot, there’s Ozil or even Di Maria or even Higuain to take the PK.

    .. but on a tactical point of view, coaches tend to change or adapt their strategy with each opponent they face.

  • Brad

    0 0

    Okay, Haokip, I didn’t try to get across this pessimistic view about the death of football romanticism and therefore attacking football, but the most important thing in the world is defense, because the other team can’t win if they can’t score. I’d rather 1 point to none.

    And I notice that you didn’t say anything to Cloud, who has backed me up on this. The fact is there: for once, at least, the unbelievable offensive firepower of Barcalona couldn’t overcome the fortress that is Chelsea’s defense, so Chelsea are in the final because of DEFENSE, not offense. Want another example? The USA did the same thing in the 09 Confeds Cup, beating Spain, who calls upon quite a few of the Spaniards who’ve made Barca so dominant, especially on offense, with DEFENSIVE play. Spain got frustrated, as they probably did expect an easy victory, and sent too many players up. That left them open to counter-attacks that led to goals. The Americans put in the defensive work to maintain the clean sheet, which was impressive enough by itself, but to come along with a win? Amazing. . .

    So, yeah, defense, while not likable, is more important than offense.

    Time to stop thinking of stupid “what if?” moments and get on with the real deal. . . I don’t like defense over offense, especially since I myself play as a forward for my team, but I can never stress enough on how much more important it is than offense.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. Brad said: “So, yeah, defense, while not likable, is more important than offense. ”

    .. i couldn’t agree more on that. Defensive type of football might be boring on a spectators point of view. But on a manager’s stand point; when it gives you the result you desire, WHICH IS TO WIN, then heck with the fans. The fans wouldn’t mind at all, as long as their team wins.

    .. @haokip, it’s safe to assume that you would rather see a game ending 10-9 with your team losing, that a game with a 1-0 result with your team winning ??

  • Brad

    0 0

    Ouch, Cloud. I sure as mess wouldn’t!!!!!!

  • Rustam

    0 0

    It is obvious that most of the ideas and comments provided here are irrevant to the main article above, rather ever-lasting debates between Barca and RM fans. Even those who claim to support neither club are providing comments against Barca probably because at some point in the past Barca bitterly disappointed them by defeating their clubs. The people here claiming to prefer defensive football to mostly attacking one seem to be stark opportunists in that they have long waited for the semis between Barca and Chelsea, which fortunately for them turned out to their favor finally and hopefully once.

    Cloud, did you have the same opinion about defensive vs. offensive tactic when your RM was crushed (1-2) in the first leg of Copa Del Rey earlier this year when the so-claimed Special One chose to play defensively only to see the very RM fans at Bernabeo booing him to death. Or ask MU fans how they felt about MU losing to Man City mostly because Sir elected to follow defensively.
    The recent and long history of football is dotted with cases where neither tactic has always been superior. No singe case can be a basis for you to claim that defensive type is superior to offincive one. Keep your hatred towards Barca aside and be realistic; it may be a matter of seconds before you realize that your unfounded theory proves to be simply a bunk.

  • Haokip

    0 0

    Yes cloud,i would love to see a match even if my team lose 10-9 rather than a match where they win 1-0 while defending for the whole 90 minutes because that is not how barcelona play

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. rustam, and it is quite obvious that you didn’t read the entire discussions above. I clearly stated that that we should focus on the Bayern-Chelsea tie and how they got there.

    .. coz the way i read your comments, i guess you’re the one who’s bitter that Barca lost to a defensive Chelsea. look at me, Real also lost to Bayern, but hey, I’m cool with it, anyone who wants to discuss to how Real loss that tie, i’m open to discussions….

    .. as for the defensive strategy Jose opted against Barca, that was crazy as shit, I’m a Real Madrid fan, but i’m not blind, that was the worst decision Jose made in his entire coaching career – TO HAVE PEPE ON MIDFIELD. On a personal note, i was kicking the shit out of the coach for that.

    .. and with your last paragraph; you failed to read my comments above .. but let me just post it here again: …. .. but on a tactical point of view, coaches tend to change or adapt their strategy with each opponent they face….

    .. and who says I hate Barca to the bone, nope, I don’t. It’s only during those controversial “Cheating” moments that I hate them.

    .. but can i ask you: WHERE DOES THE BALL USUALLY COMES FROM IN EVERY SINGLE PLAY ??? Doesn’t it start from the back line ?? Doesn’t it start from the defensive back line then up to midfield then up to the forwards ?? Or doesn’t it start from a good interception from a good defense then going up to a counter attack ??

    .. and i’m just being realistic, during the Chelsea-Barca tie, Barca lost to a defensive Chelsea- THAT’S A FACT. THAT’S REALITY. How in the world would I make up a theory in football when I was only basing my arguements on simple fact… and that fact is, let me just reiterate. Barca lost to a defensive Chelsea.

    .. in the end, it still depends to how Chelsea nor Bayern would want to play during the Finals.

  • cloud

    0 0

    @haokip, so, you would prefer Barcelona scoring 10 goals but having zero points rather than 1 goal but 3 points ?? I can’t blame you, coz you’re only a spectator just like everyone else here ( including me of course ). But try to tell that to a coach, i’m sure he’ll think otherwise. Coz in a championship race, goals doesn’t matter, but the points earn – the 3 valuable points that will help you win the championship.

  • Brad

    0 0

    You can win 1-0 all you want, each goal, therefore, would be worth 3 points. I think any Iltalians who regularly visit this website may agree ( and no racism or stereotyping intended, I’ll add).

    As for me, Rustam, any time United faces Barca, I don’t give a flip for the match. Barca wins either way. And, to me, there is no shame whatsoever in losing to the Catalan side, so long as they don’t cheat (which every team becomes guilty of that somewhere in their history).

    I didn’t like that SAF went for the defensive approach against City. I was wanting to tear the noisy neighbors up at their home stadium, in return for what they did at Old Trafford. In this case, the defense first strategy failed.

    But it HAS succeeded enough, though, to prove that while “offense sells tickets. . .” “defense wins championships.” Back to the Italians, they have won 4 WC. While the 1st one was bought, they won all 3 of the rest via hard defensive work rate. For football romantics such as me, it isn’t likable, but its efficiency is duly noted.

    And even Brazil, who won the 1958, 1962, 1970, and 2002 WC with offensive style, won it again in 1994, this time with defensive-minded strategy.

    That’s not the way Brazil plays, but it worked for them. It can work for anyone. It worked for Chelsea. . .

  • Oybek

    0 0

    Rustam, good job with your comments about Barca and RM dominating this forum. I’d like to add that this forum is not alone. Not a single discussion pertaining to football is held these days without explicit reference to one or both of the Spanish Giants. For what it is worth, these two clubs do deserve credit for this achievement.
    Re your arguments about Offense vs. Defense, I share your view that being equally important, neither of the approaches should be preferred to the detriment of the other. In an ideal world, it is reasonable to assume that most fans would like to see their teams employ them evenly.
    I further back you up on your assumption that the whole offense vs defense issue was spurred by the inconceivable turn of events between Chelsea vs Barca ties. Barca’s failure at these semis first and foremost should be attributed to the fact that they were unable to draw a rational balance between their offense and defense. I wouldn’t say Chelsea’s defense was perfect, for they did concede two goals at Nou Camp. After scoring two goals, Barca should have allowed Chelsea to respond in order to make their concrete-like defense more vulnerable and take the advantage by counter-attacks.
    In a nutshell, the outcome of Chelsea vs Barca ties by no means suggests that Chelsea’s excessive defense saved the day for them but rather Barca’s failure to play smart.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. in a way I would agree with you Oybek that Barca failed to capitalized on their numbers’ advantage and with “bad luck” hitting the crossbar twice.

  • Rustam

    0 0

    Claud,
    Why would you not be cool with your RM losing to Bayern inasmuch as the latter proved to be more superior by their performance in both legs. There is nothing much to discuss but accepting this REALITY. Contrary to the theory you are trying to sell, Bayern did not give a hoot about defense in both legs and reaped the benefit fair and square in your words.

    As for your FACT stuff, would you still consider you being realistic closing your eyes to the facts that Barca had the most unfortunate fixture in terms of both in-between days and La Liga matches throughout the CL semis and that Pique was forced to leave the pitch due to injury and that Di Matteo elected to rest his players before second leg at the expense of potentially desirable EPL spot but Pep didn’t?

    You should be careful about the message you are trying to send across the board. It took more and more people and years of hard and meticulous work for Barca to form their current style. Wouldn’t it be inconsiderate of you to discard it out of hand based on a single match? Don’t you think they deserve at least miniscule amount of tribute to sticking to their intrinsic philosophy of game?

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. rustam, no offense, but why are you making excuses, like Barca we’re unfortunate with their schedule and the Blues players are well rested ?? Aren’t you insulting the Chelsea team and it’s supporters with that statement ……

    .. big clubs such as Barca should have the depth to deal with the super busy schedule of January to April, with games from Copa Del Rey, La Liga and UCL. They’re basically playing every three days. EXHAUSTION IS NOT AN EXCUSE.

    .. and rustam, I never said Barca’s style of football isn’t effective ALL THROUGH OUT. I only said, ONLY ON THAT SEMI FINAL TIE between Chelsea that the more defensive tactic won over the offensive one.

    .. please rustam, before you get into some violent reactions, please read my comments thoroughly, don’t be decieved that I’m a Madridista that all my statements would be anti-barca. I’m trying to be as neutral and as objective as possible.. My anti-barca stand was only during those “cheating moments”.

  • Rustam

    0 0

    Cloud,
    Let me see- aren’t you the first if not the only person here constantly mentioning Barca in your comments? Look, it is altogether logical that you should favor Chelsea at CL Final since Bayern kicked your club out. But, no matter how much pleasure you get out of it, would you stop fixating on those semis and leave Barca alone for the sake of the fans whose clubs do play in the final?

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. rustam, pardon, but it’s clear that you didn’t read my comments at all. kindly scroll up and read what I said on MAY 11 … let me just quote one of my lines there:

    ….. But this isn’t about me, i’m just a nobody, this is about the UCL FINALS – Chelsea against Bayern. And we’re discussing here the paths on how Bayern and Chelsea reached there …….

    .. you’re the one who’s clearly stating Barcelona with your “exhaustion excuse” post, not me. I was only replying to your comment.

  • Brad

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    I personally love watching the Big Two in La Liga. It just gets old seeing them win it over and over though. . . and in the EPL, though it pains me to say it (as a United fan), congratulations to Manchester City for winning the title in what has probably been the best EPL season ever.

    Back to the subject.

    I don’t like hoping for Chelsea to win the CL title, as they are a big rival to the Red Devils, but as a underdog lover I can’t help but support them against Bayern Munich. Munich has the history of winning in the CL. Chelsea doesn’t.

  • cloud

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    .. Brad, we share the same sentiment in rooting for Chelsea. I jokingly call them Old-Dogs, hehe. This is the last chance players like Drogba and the ” old dogs” of Chelsea to win the UCL. And maybe IF they win, Roman will let go of his tight grip in Chelsea and let the coach ( be it Di Matteo or a new one ) do his job the way it’s supposed to.

  • haokip

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    chelsea should sacked di matteo regardless of the outcome of the ucl final because he does not belong in the big league. He would fit in nicely as a coach of norwich or swansea and other such teams because the way chelsea approach the match and the way they played against barca was exactly how norwich or other such teams would have played if they were to play barca in the ucl semifinal. I’m a big chelsea fan and though i’m happy that they reach the final,i’m disgusted with the way they played.And as long as chelsea played the same way like they do against barca they will not be considered a major club or major powerhouse of europe,and even if they win the final and become the european champions people would not considered them as the best

  • Oybek

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    The CL final should be really intriguing in that it is Chelsea’s only chance to claim next year CL qualifying spot and probably to prove that they still matter, whereas the final is the only chance for Bayern to reclaim their fans’ trust and support having been beaten by Borussia Dormund twice, which cost them both Bundesliga championship and DFB Pokal. The onus is on Chelsea to prove the world it wasn’t just sheer dumb luck that allowed them to make it tothe final.

  • Brad

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    Which I’m sure they’ll do their level best to prove it Oybek.

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. haokip, i wouldn’t be too harsh on Di Matteo. Let’s not forgot that Sir Alex blew out an 8 point lead and surrendered their Title to Manchester City. This has been a very crazy season in the EPL.

    .. Remember that Chelsea had a coach that has won trophies before in the form of VILLAS-BOAS, he was already a champion but he never won the respect of his Blues players.

    .. this is the same situation as Avram Grant before, he was also a care-taker coach after they sacked Jose, but they reached the FINALS that year but was defeated and so Roman didn’t give Grant the chance to be a full time coach and they got Scolari, but they didn’t achieved anything with him ( scolari ).

    .. Di Matteo has at least earned the respect of his players, so it’s a safe bet to let him stay.

  • russ ru

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    “Bayern will also be missing three
    players in David Alaba, Luis Gustavo
    and Holger Badstuber. However I
    don’t think their losses will be as
    significant as Chelsea’s will be.” any neutral will disagree i hope. Have watched alaba play and he’s for me the best young player i’ve seen in a really REALLY long time. Trust me his absence will be felt! Can compare his heart to that of ramires of chelsea. Desire and will to win

  • Roy Smith

    0 0

    russ, I really hope you’re right on that one. I see very little chance in a Chelsea victory unless Luiz can fulfil his promise and be fit for Saturday.

  • Haokip

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    Bayern should win and they will because chelsea do not deserve it

  • Brad

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    oh yeah, because defense is so ugly, and yet even more critical than offense.

  • cloud

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    .. I’m typing this after the referee blew the 2nd half of extra time. Now we’re on penalty shoot out.

    .. sorry, but i have to say this: DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL WON TONIGHT. I don’t care if Chelsea gets beaten in the PK shoot out, on regular and extra time, they held back tide upon tide of Bayern’s attack. Again, defense won over offense in this year UCL Finals.

  • cloud

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    .. oh shit, CHELSEA WON !!!!! Great day for defensive football !!!!

    .. Brad, russ, roy ………. hope you’re doing your celebrating right now mates coz i’m sure i am. beers for you mates. don’t worry Brad, forget your age, drink beer and get wasted tonight.. hehehe

    .. as a neutral, I’m happy Chelsea won. the OLD DOGS WON !!!!!

  • Roy Smith

    0 0

    cloud, I don’t need a beer to be singing songs naked outside of a pub. Chelsea winning has made me do that already, and all I’ve had to drink today is water. I’d write more but my tears of joy are making the screen all blurry.

    Cheers everyone, and we Blues will see everyone in the Champions League next time ’round!

  • Brad

    0 0

    wow. . . Chelsea got it. That proves it: “offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.”

  • Haokip

    0 0

    It proves nothing…it shows you how much ‘luck’ can play a role in making chelsea one of the most undeserving winners of the champions league

  • Haokip

    0 0

    It proves nothing…it shows you how much ‘luck’ can play a role in making chelsea one of the most undeserving winners of the champions league. The way chelsea played in the final they did’nt even defend well,it was all down to poor finishing from bayern and extreme good-luck for chelsea….chelsea still do not deserve it

  • cloud

    0 0

    .. undeserving you say ??? If Bayern won it and also thru PK shoot out, do they deserve it better than Chelsea, guess not.

    .. sourgrapes are everywhere now ….

    .. but nevermind that, Chelsea won fair and square with defensive football. THEY DESERVE THIS !!!!

  • Barcelona keep tabs on Brazilian striker Nilmar

    0 0

    […] Who will win the Champions League final? (62) […]

  • Haokip

    0 0

    Surely bayern would have been the deserving winners…and i’m sure if you asked all those neutral fans who saw the match they would agree that bayern were much better than ‘chelsea defensive club'(cdc)not cfc

  • Brad

    0 0

    Just because a certain team deserves the win more doesn’t mean they’ll win it.

    And of course, luck plays a part in anything and everything. But defense is still key. And when someone wins, there’s no point in going into the “what if?” realm about who “coulda, woulda, shoulda” so stop being so sour.

  • Chelseasyd

    0 0

    I think Chelsea will win the champions league on penalties anyone want a bet?

  • vinny

    0 0

    aaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaa mahaters it won we are the champions

  • LEN DAVEY EXETER

    0 0

    just as i predicted
    Chelsea on penalties
    i also wil predict both Exeter City and Hansa Rostock will be promoted next season.

  • Royal Oak Nadderwater

    0 0

    Bavaria were robbed

  • Nigel Tabb Exeter

    0 0

    Cracking final

  • Nigel Tabb Exeter

    0 0

    taped have watched it over 20 times.

  • Royal Oak Nadderwater

    0 0

    Arsenal will win it next year

  • Royal Oak Nadderwater

    0 0

    with our new sighning no one wil sop us.

  • Oybek

    0 0

    no one wil stop us from defending to death and wishing for a world of luck and we have one problem, though. How the heck can we teach Hulk and Hazard in our penalty box?

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