Uefa Champions League 2012

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Bayeerrrrrn!

[Brit-Panther]

Its on FSC at 8pm....The read ups suggests it was a good game so I'm gonna watch it.

[thatlookseasy]

Roberto Di Matteo just tactically owned Pep Guardiola over those 2 matches. Matteo used Ramires incredibly well- his pace in the counter attacks as well as his defending in the first leg (basically shutting down Dani Alves) were crucial in both games. I wouldnt have thought to use Drogba as a left back for most of the second game, but it worked out brilliantly for Chelsea. Overall a great job by the interim (for now) Chelsea boss of adapting to the circumstances and shutting down the Barca attack despite playing an entire half in Barcelona without a center back.

In contrast, Barcelona looked increasingly frustrated at Chelsea's defense over the two games. They just kept trying to pass their way into the goal despite chelsea playing every player behind the ball, even though it was abundantly clear they needed to attack in some other way. You've got to put some of the blame on Guardiola for the performance- Chelsea played the exact same way in the first leg, and Pep's only solution was to flood the field with midfielders who spent the game passing around the defense. Staying true to your attacking philosophy is admirable, but if your team is so one-dimensional you have to expect teams to adapt.

[pstall]

single tear at the soccer breakdown

[Panthers128]

Roberto Di Matteo just tactically owned Pep Guardiola over those 2 matches. Matteo used Ramires incredibly well- his pace in the counter attacks as well as his defending in the first leg (basically shutting down Dani Alves) were crucial in both games. I wouldnt have thought to use Drogba as a left back for most of the second game, but it worked out brilliantly for Chelsea. Overall a great job by the interim (for now) Chelsea boss of adapting to the circumstances and shutting down the Barca attack despite playing an entire half in Barcelona without a center back.

In contrast, Barcelona looked increasingly frustrated at Chelsea's defense over the two games. They just kept trying to pass their way into the goal despite chelsea playing every player behind the ball, even though it was abundantly clear they needed to attack in some other way. You've got to put some of the blame on Guardiola for the performance- Chelsea played the exact same way in the first leg, and Pep's only solution was to flood the field with midfielders who spent the game passing around the defense. Staying true to your attacking philosophy is admirable, but if your team is so one-dimensional you have to expect teams to adapt.

Well Barca's had a lot of success with that strategy in previous years and Barca scored two goals. The real problem was their defense. They allowed three goals in the series on counter attacks (Drogba, Ramerez, Torres).

They dominated possession and the defense didn't have to defend much in the series but the few times they did they were out of place, outnumbered and outworked.

Barca's strategy wasn't as poor as the result. They had plenty of opportunities in the series. It was more poor execution than poor strategy, imo. How often does Messi miss penalty kicks? You can't win them all. Cech also played really well.

[Ja Rhule]

Barca left one man in the back (Mascherano) and brought everyone else forward. They gambled and lost. Barca played 3-4-3 but constantly gambled by moving their defenders forward. Barca got greedy and paid for it dearly. With 3 minutes to go they moved all 10 players into attacking formation and left Torres wide open. Chelsea played 4-5-1 and then switched to 4-4-1 after red card. If Barca would switch to 3-3-4 they would have much more success by stretching the field. Chelsea box was to damn overcrowded and Barca was to damn stubborn to adjust. Barca spend most of the 2nd half passing ball around outside Chelsea box and had terrible success inside.

[SOJA]

let's go Real

[thatlookseasy]

Well Barca's had a lot of success with that strategy in previous years and Barca scored two goals. The real problem was their defense. They allowed three goals in the series on counter attacks (Drogba, Ramerez, Torres).

They dominated possession and the defense didn't have to defend much in the series but the few times they did they were out of place, outnumbered and outworked.

Barca's strategy wasn't as poor as the result. They had plenty of opportunities in the series. It was more poor execution than poor strategy, imo. How often does Messi miss penalty kicks? You can't win them all. Cech also played really well.

Oh no doubt Barca still had their opportunities to win it, but when you keep passing it around 30 yards from goal and Chelsea has all 10 guys behind the ball, at some point you are playing right into Chelsea's strategy. They clearly wanted Barca to dominate possession and keep throwing guys forward while Chelsea sat back and stuffed the box. It was the Mourinho strategy all over again, and at some point Barca needs to say 'screw building up slowly with short passes from the back' and quit trying to dominate possession. Yes, I actually think they should have started giving the ball away (or at least take some speculative outside shots) because I thought Barca's attack looked a lot more threatening when Chelsea would push forward and create some space in the final third. I still think Barca is the best team in the world, but their one dimensional attack has cost them the Champs league and la liga this year

[Panthers128]

Madrid takes an early lead on a penalty.

[Panthers128]

Going into extra time. These semi-finals have been fantastic.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Scweinsteiger seals the victory for the German squad! Onto Allianz Arena we go!

[Panthers128]

Ronaldo ruined it for Real Madrid. You have to make the first penalty shot. When you miss, it causes a domino effect. Nobody's perfect though and we saw Messi miss an important penalty shot just yesterday.

Real Madrid should be able to lock up La LIga soon and perhaps win the Supercopa . Great season for Real Madrid and making it to two straight semifinals is something to be proud of.

Real Bad is what that is.