Champions' League semi-finals - II
Chelsea - Liverpool
How fitting that around the same time Quentin Tarantino releases his movie called Grindhouse, its literal footballing equivalent will play itself out in the Champions' League. Step up Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea have been in the odd position of not leading this season. Trailing to United all season in the league, they've had to ensure their consistency is maintained under pressure not normally present. This pressure may be finally getting to them. This past weekend was a classic case in point. Having been given a glimmer of hope with Boro's halting of United, Chelsea themselves fired blanks in a misfiring performance at Newcastle. Jose Mourinho may, for once, have a bit of a point about penalties and United, but it did little to deflect criticism from a rather anaemic performance from his men. If they had won they would have been one point behind United. Having squandered their chance, will their sterility carry over to the Champions League ?
Liverpool on the other hand have been clicking into top gear and coming into form. Rafa Benitez's rotation may have resulted in some of their inconsistency in the league but it has been crucial in their run to another Champions' League semifinal. His safety first attitude has been built on a solid defence with a blend of workmanlike and inspirational attackers in front of them. It all works very well in Europe where Liverpool have been very good churning out wins over PSV, Bordeaux, Galatassaray, Barcelona and PSV again. Without being imperious, they've never quite looked beatable. The question though, is, how will they fare against Chelsea, who are a much more powerful version of themselves.
Liverpool prioritise defence over attack, performance over entertainment. Chelsea do all the same and are masters at getting the whole team to play as a unit from the back forwards. Ominously they have added an element of power to their grinding style. The most notable of these powerhouses, Michael Essien will miss the first leg. But in his stead they ever improving Jon Obi Mikel will probably suit up. As good as Jamie Carragher and Dan Agger have been in the heart of defence for Liverpool, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry have been more impressive. Their last meeting ended in a a comprehensive win for Liverpool, but more tellingly the last time they met at full strength, Chelsea edged it 1 - 0 back in the germinal stages of the season. Herein lies the greatest irony, Liverpool have been Chelsea's best imitators as far as style goes, yet have somehow managed to be better at it. Chelsea crush other opponents better than Liverpool but against Rafa's men get out-defended.
Chelsea played their best game of the season in their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Valencia in the last round. This might prove telling as Liverpool had a virtual walkover PSV in the second leg. Once again Rafa's deployment of Steven Gerrard may be important but Chelsea's ability to shackle Alonso will be crucial. With their first choice central defensive pairing available, Didier Drogba present and Andriy Shevchenko (finally) coming into some form, Chelsea's threat may be more ominous. On the other hand, Peter Crouch may be Liverpool's most potent attacker, his gangly style producing the goods time and again.
I doubt Jermaine Pennant will make much headway against ex-teammate Ashley Cole down the right and with Carvalho a much better defender positionally than Essien, long balls to Crouch and Kuyt will be dealt with efficiently. Chelsea are still moaning, as usual, about Liverpool's goal that knocked them out 2 seasons ago. This tie will be very close, but it should give the moneyed upstarts from Fulham plenty of opportunity for redemption. Chelsea might be favourites, but only by a bit. This is as watertight as they come.
How fitting that around the same time Quentin Tarantino releases his movie called Grindhouse, its literal footballing equivalent will play itself out in the Champions' League. Step up Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea have been in the odd position of not leading this season. Trailing to United all season in the league, they've had to ensure their consistency is maintained under pressure not normally present. This pressure may be finally getting to them. This past weekend was a classic case in point. Having been given a glimmer of hope with Boro's halting of United, Chelsea themselves fired blanks in a misfiring performance at Newcastle. Jose Mourinho may, for once, have a bit of a point about penalties and United, but it did little to deflect criticism from a rather anaemic performance from his men. If they had won they would have been one point behind United. Having squandered their chance, will their sterility carry over to the Champions League ?
Liverpool on the other hand have been clicking into top gear and coming into form. Rafa Benitez's rotation may have resulted in some of their inconsistency in the league but it has been crucial in their run to another Champions' League semifinal. His safety first attitude has been built on a solid defence with a blend of workmanlike and inspirational attackers in front of them. It all works very well in Europe where Liverpool have been very good churning out wins over PSV, Bordeaux, Galatassaray, Barcelona and PSV again. Without being imperious, they've never quite looked beatable. The question though, is, how will they fare against Chelsea, who are a much more powerful version of themselves.
Liverpool prioritise defence over attack, performance over entertainment. Chelsea do all the same and are masters at getting the whole team to play as a unit from the back forwards. Ominously they have added an element of power to their grinding style. The most notable of these powerhouses, Michael Essien will miss the first leg. But in his stead they ever improving Jon Obi Mikel will probably suit up. As good as Jamie Carragher and Dan Agger have been in the heart of defence for Liverpool, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry have been more impressive. Their last meeting ended in a a comprehensive win for Liverpool, but more tellingly the last time they met at full strength, Chelsea edged it 1 - 0 back in the germinal stages of the season. Herein lies the greatest irony, Liverpool have been Chelsea's best imitators as far as style goes, yet have somehow managed to be better at it. Chelsea crush other opponents better than Liverpool but against Rafa's men get out-defended.
Chelsea played their best game of the season in their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Valencia in the last round. This might prove telling as Liverpool had a virtual walkover PSV in the second leg. Once again Rafa's deployment of Steven Gerrard may be important but Chelsea's ability to shackle Alonso will be crucial. With their first choice central defensive pairing available, Didier Drogba present and Andriy Shevchenko (finally) coming into some form, Chelsea's threat may be more ominous. On the other hand, Peter Crouch may be Liverpool's most potent attacker, his gangly style producing the goods time and again.
I doubt Jermaine Pennant will make much headway against ex-teammate Ashley Cole down the right and with Carvalho a much better defender positionally than Essien, long balls to Crouch and Kuyt will be dealt with efficiently. Chelsea are still moaning, as usual, about Liverpool's goal that knocked them out 2 seasons ago. This tie will be very close, but it should give the moneyed upstarts from Fulham plenty of opportunity for redemption. Chelsea might be favourites, but only by a bit. This is as watertight as they come.
Labels: Chelsea, Liverpool, UEFA Champions' League 2006-07
posted by Arjun Datta @ 4/22/2007 06:05:00 PM
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