UCL: Liverpool vs. Chelsea [22.04.2008]

[Dellas]

Well shock horror we draw Liverpool again.

I know people will say that law of averages means that we should win this time.

However this will no doubt be a tough game, Liverpool have got a striker who I am sure will score a goal, where the whole ball will cross the line, bitter? yes I am but oh well I've nearly gotten over it .

The reason I think that we can win this is that fact that we will be playing at home for the second leg. In the past 2 years I have noticed that Liverpool are comfortable to play away from home first and get an away goal, of course it is gd to get the away goal but Benitez never seems too worried if they don't because if they don't they know that at Anfield they will most likely not be beaten. Benitez I think plans his strategy/tactics around this. So I wouldn't be surprised to see Liverpool press a bit more in the first leg this time round. Personally I also think that we have a capable enough defence to deal with Torres, last time Ben-Haim couldn't handle him but I doubt he will play this time round.

Our downfall the last 2 times we played them has been that going to Anfield we have started very sluggishly and Liverpool have got the edge over us especially with the fans backing them.

If we win I know that the papers will start saying that Grant is amazing and he has surpassed Jose etc. however I don't think that he should take all the credit, our team is looking for revenge whether they say it or not. Liverpool have crushed our European dream so many times that it is time we crushed theirs. So the players will be pumped, we will have the fans this time in the 2nd leg if it goes to pens. The thing is Grant doesn't really know how tactics work and so he could out think Benitez but it is most likely a fluke.

The thing I fear is if we go 1-0 up against Liverpool at Anfield that Grant doesn't change to a defensive style of football like when he took off Kalou and put on Belletti against Fenerbahce last round.

First Leg: Anfield Tuesday 22nd April

Second Leg: Stamford Bridge Wednesday 30th April

[Dellas]

Lampard - Revenge is dangerous
Chelsea hoping to make it third time lucky against the Reds

Frank Lampard feels that it would be unwise for Chelsea to go in search of revenge against Liverpool.



The Blues have suffered heartbreaking semi-final defeats against the Reds on two previous occasions, and will come face-to-face with their old adversaries once again in the last four of this year's competition.


The all-important difference this time around could be that the crucial second leg of the encounter will be at Stamford Bridge, as opposed to the intimidating surroundings of Anfield.


Lampard certainly feels that home advantage could play a vital role in the outcome of the tie, and is confident that the Avram Grant's side can reach their first Champions League final.



Motivation


"The last two times we played we got knocked out but that will have no bearing on this semi-final," said Lampard.


"To go into a game with revenge on your mind is not the right emotion to take into a game.


"Champions League is very much about keeping your head and concentrating for the whole 90 minutes in both legs. I don't think it is about revenge, it is about the golden carrot of getting to the final.


"I am sure Liverpool will have the same motivation to get to the final.


"They are not going to win the league this year and we are still fighting for that. They are fighting all on one front.



Accomplished


"We will both have a lot of motivation to get there. But, I won't lie, it would be great to get to the final this year.


"In the semi-final, you can't dictate who you play against. We have had some disappointing moments against them and they are a very accomplished Champions League team.


"They will have the added benefit of not having to go for it in the league as they look pretty secure in fourth place.


"It will be a tough tie. Maybe going up their first can be a bonus. But it only helps if you get the right result.


"If you give yourself a mountain to climb, it won't help. In modern-day Champions League, the away goal seems to become more and more important.



Concentrate


"So we have to go there with a positive attitude and try and get an away goal and then bring them back here, which will be different to the last two times we have played them.


"To lose a semi-final is very disappointing but the more experience you get in football, you realise that there will be bad nights and you can't win everything.


"The most important thing is to learn from them and correct it in the future and hopefully we will get a chance to do that.


"Losing is the worst thing you can do but you know how Liverpool are going to play. They have a very good recipe in Champions League football.


"They are very organised and are a big threat going forward. It hasn't worked well for them in the league but in the Champions League it has been very impressive. We have to make sure we concentrate and don't switch off for any minute."



Togetherness


Chelsea remain very much in the hunt for a domestic and European double at present, and Lampard feels that is testament to the spirit within the camp after a season plagued by managerial upheaval and injuries to key players.


"I think it says a lot because it has been difficult," he said.


"We have had to concentrate on ourselves on the pitch because so many things have been happening off the pitch, injuries and things out of our hands and so credit to the squad as a whole for coming through a difficult period and at times unnoticed in the league race.


"We have kept on going in the Champions League and that is very much down to the spirit and togetherness of the club. We just need to carry that on for another month."

source: Sky Sports | Football | News | Lampard - Revenge is dangerous

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Having home game in the second leg is real important so I will say Chelsea are favourite to reach the final. Liverpool need a good result at home or they are out.

[Dellas]

Second LEG: Today:

Chelsea Team: Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Claude Makelele, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou, John Terry.

Chelsea Substitutes: Carlo Cudicini, Andriy Shevchenko, John Obi Mikel, Florent Malouda, Alex, Juliano Belletti, Nicolas Anelka.

Liverpool Team: Pepe Reina, John Arne Riise, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel.

Liverpool Substitutes: Charles Itandje, Steve Finnan, Sami Hyypia, Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti.

nice to see Lampard in the team and I hope he is mentally prepared for the game. shame that Essien is at rb means we will lose his drive but he provides something on the right so we will see...Ballack was amazing against United so hopefully he keeps it up.

I hope Drogba performs cos I really want him to show up Benitez by showing him his real talent.

We have the advantage of an away goal but we need to start the game the way we did against Man utd in the league, because if we sit back and absorb the pressure for 90 mins we will crack...it has happened before against the same opponents in the same competition.

oh and btw hopefully terry doesn't get a yellow card because he would miss the final if we make it if he gets one...

We can make it to the final so COME ON BOYS!!

[Trim]

GOAAAAAAAAL! 1-0 (33 mins). Drogba.

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by Trim

GOAAAAAAAAL! 1-0 (33 mins). Drogba.

stunning goal...taken first time and beautiful struck just underneath Reina.

Definitely been the better of the 2 teams in the first half with Torres's one on one being their only chance on target. Hopefully it will stay that way.

J.Cole has been are only mediocre player...hasn't really gotten involved tbh. Ballack and Lampard have played very well the former has had some very gd shots on target especially the freekick and the latter has given some amazing passes. They have worked well together especially with makelele keeping Gerrard quiet. Kalou started playing well after 30 mins and Drogba has been immense, stayed on his feet and has dominated Carragher/Skrtel and Hyypia.

Another performance like that please in the 2nd half...tho I do expect to see Crouch come on soon and also babel for benayoun and one of the dm's.

[Trim]

GOAAAAAAAL! 1-1 (64 mins). Torres.

[Trim]

GOAAAAAAAAAAL! 2-1 (5th min of ET). Essien.

[Podolski]

LOL offside

[Trim]

No, no. It's not a goal. The ref says it's not.

[Podolski]

chelsea get penalty

[Trim]

PENALTY for Chelsea now!

[Podolski]

scored

[Trim]

Lampard to take it..

and..

He SCORES! 2-1.

8th min of ET.

[Podolski]

what the fuck.. torres off for babel