April 18th, 2012
Champions League Observations, Part II: Hit ‘Em With Your Best Shot
Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images.
We’re throwing in the towel early on this week’s match results so the comments section is all yours, Kickettes!
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Well done to Mirandres – for proiding the upset
Can't wait to see what happens at Camp Nou. I'm hoping for a Real Madrid – Chelsea fina
Congrats to Chelsea! well done
manchester united is the best team. In every champions league game, it played well. i love man utd heroes. Always, I will put on man utd shirt to watch battles.
Impressed by the goal, impressed by the resilient defending, not impressed with Diddy's rolling around on the ground. I love him most of the time but when he does that it's just embarrassing.
Intrigued to see what will happen in Barca, though Im worried that on their home soil they will be just too much.
Oh and Gary Cahill's legs up there, hello!
Did anybody notice that when Drogba slid towards the corner flag and they showed it in slo-mo, there were a few signs of… enjoying that goal a bit too much, in the crotch area? Could be a possible reason for his pain in that department minutes later, when there appeared to be no contact between it and anything.
The commentators pointed out that he probably tweaked his groin, similar to what Messi did in the 1st half. Luckily, both he and Messi were able to run it off.
It seems people are dreading the Clasicos. I'm happy to be a neutral.
Drogba diving and time stalling methods were pathetic. Cech was AMAZING. He was the ONLY reason that Barca did not score. Well he and Ashley Cole's save of a Cesc goal.
Congrats to Chelsea on their win. With that being said I'm hoping for a Barca-Bayern final but I can't say that I wouldn't mind a Barca-Madrid final. Hahahaha. Barca plays some of its best games against Madrid.
Barca will go through chelsea got lucky. And as for Drogba he does so much diving he should become a professional swimmer. He is a joke ruins football going like his been shot. The final will be Barca vs Bayern. Bayern are looking very good this year.
Eer if he is a joke what is Ashley Young then!;P
Ashley Young takes the gold medal for diving
Don't get me started with him
So if another player does it it's okay?
They're both disgusting. Having said that, I think Ribery took the biscuit on Tuesday as well.
Just stop it already and get on with playing football!!!!!
As a Barca fan, I have to give props to Chelsea for excellent defending and taking advantage of limited possession with an incredible counterattack (Pep himself said major possession means nothing if you can't put the ball in the back of the net). Also, and sorry to criticize the mister, but Pep had plenty of opportunities to remove Cesc (who played terribly) and Alexis and put some speed and width on the wings, but who am I to tell him what to do. He had his plan, but unfortunately, it just didn't work.
That said, I do not believe in an eye for an eye. Drogba's diving was hilariously pathetic (given his eye-rolling from the bench, it appears Nando agrees with me). I don't like it when Busi does it (and when Masch, one of my favorite players, did it twice at the end of last season, I felt sick). I don't like it when any player does it, no matter which team. Didi is very intelligent and I believe there was a time-wasting method to his madness, but I'm surprised at people defending it as some sort of acceptable "revenge."
Anyway, respect to Chelsea. Despite being upset at my team's loss, I'm happy for anything positive that happens for Mata, Nando, Romeu, and Mireles (who's been on fire lately), and DiMatteo seems like a nice guy who inherited a strange situation–I hope they keep him for next season. If Barca doesn't advance on the return leg, then I'll be cheering on the Blues.
Thank you! As a Chelsea Fan, regardless of the end-result, I think Barca played well yesterday.
It is always fascinating to watch Messi's movements and "Tiki-taka". As many have said, there is no team in the world who could do that other than Barca.
Aside from our defending, I have to admit we had a good share of luck as well. 2nd leg will be interesting facing you guys at the Nou Camp.
And yes, Drogba's diving was embarrassing regardless of the circumstance. I don't like when players dive either. It just ruins the game. Also I think ref did a fabulous job yesterday. He must have been under tremendous pressure for such a high-profile game, yet didn't make any controversial decision.
Well said both of you – in fairness the tie is far from over and who knows what will happen at the Nou Camp – it's not a done deal that Barca or Chelsea can prevail at this point. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE Barca to go through, but I think I can live with a Chelsea/Bayern final (RM is unthinkable at this stage for me – personal bias!) The press are just stiring things – they are out to knock Barca and big up Chelsea unfairly – it really doesn't do either team any favours!
Big love out to the Blues -
I agree with Gladys and Thea, if not Barca then it has to be Chelsea. And I don't say that very often
. I made fun of Drogba, but I really think he's an awesome player. Imo none of the teams played their best. The return leg at Camp Nou will be such a thriller!
I agree almost completely with this. Of course, coming from the bias of a Chelsea fan. The diving irritates me overall, but I do think the intentions are different (time-wasting versus getting players sent off). Either way, it's a bit much. I felt like Drogba could have accomplished the breaking the flow of the game with a bit less of it, still. However.. the one with his "groin"- that one could not have felt good!
I laugh about the Nando response, though I suppose I can't be certain that's what he was responding to. I had actually thought it was more toward the idea of whether Drogba would have to come off and if he'd get to go on- sort of shook his head like it wouldn't happen. He didn't look a very happy bunny yesterday, but in the end it was a win for his side. He did say he would like to be in the starting 11 no matter where (so maybe he thought he'd get a wing position at least).
Now, that was a lackluster performance from Barca if I ever did see one. But in Camp Nou we trust. Visca Barca! I'm with them come rain or come shine.
I must say though that it's rather amusing to watch people like Drogba. Is he trying to outshine Di Maria in the art of flopping around on the ground, or what?
Oh, I think he easily outshone Di Maria, but he'll never hold a candle to Busquets, Pedro or Dani Alves. No waving of imaginary yellow cards at the ref from the rest of the Chelsea boys though. Amateurs!
Di Maria really? Kristina really? out of Barcelona players you picked DI MARIA jajajaja! even in semi-final Ribery was on the ground more than up in comparsion to Angel ( who in any mean I say he doesn't dive), I laughed my ass off when I saw Mascherno called him over his dive, I would like if someone sent him a video of his last year performance xD!
Actually I don't think I've ever seen Drogba dive so much so often….I honestly think that it was as strategy of his to beat Barca to "diving" punch. Keep'em on their toes, and nerve racked before they had a chance to establish that part of their game. However, I know this is an, "I'm a RM fan and take Di accusations" a bit personally, reach.
As far as picking on Di, you know how some emphatic Barca fans are….."butterfly effects" + barca loss = real madrid chaos theory. jajajaja doesn't begin to explain it……
True, I agree drogba was embarrassing to watch, BUT you surely get your own club to be looking before comparing him to Di maria who is embarrassing to watch as well lol
No Sarah, I didn't pick him out of Barca for obvious reasons
. I try very hard not not comment of the diving habits of footballers, because I know that there are divings everywhere so why bother? My comment were more about the manner of the dives. The performance so to speak. There are those that clutch there hands to their faces and fall straight to the ground, and there are those like Di Maria and Drogba that makes the most of it. Flopping their arms and legs all around, making a big splash. Like the spasms that Di Maria got against Valencia, for example. You don't know if you want to laugh or cry. The commentators had some laughs yesterday, actually. And in Sweden, they never cheer for Barca so it wasn't for that reason. It was for the frequent "flopping".
Exactly, that's my point, that's why I pointed at Mascherno as he did the same last season, he was flapping all over the pitch, I agree Di maria is embarrassing, but for me every fan should look at their own set of players before pointing on other
.
I am with you, am not really one of these fans who care much about diving, unless it is Di maria as I care how embarrassing it make my club look that's it, but overall diving is not something that I give so much attention too.
Guys why isn't Busquets in this conversation? He owns that art.
Look at my reference to the art of diving while clutching your face. And remember, I'm only discussing the many ways you can dive, not who dives and who don't
.
<Now, that was a lackluster performance from Barca if I ever did see one.>
Maybe they just wanted to lull Chelsea into a false sense of security before they thrash them at Camp Nou.
Because they WILL thrash them!
Yesss!
Technically Barca should prevail there – but results at the Nou have been a little unpredictable – and we do not have the advantage of an away goal – and Chelsea could score one. ARGHHHHH
I know. It's not a pleasant thought, but if Chelsea gets that away goal (and they most certainly can) then I think it's bye bye. Unless Barca gets back a little of that energy that they used to have, and now only occasionally show. I thought that yesterday was gonna be such a day, but no. They had a lot of chances though.
Drogba got his revange for that disgrace from 2009.
Drogba's diving was an absolute disgrace.
And I can't believe the ref didn't see Cahill shoving Iniesta in the back.
So much for Chelsea fans' theory that the officials always favour Barcelona!
Farca got a taste of their own medicine. But it's safe to say the referee will give them at least on penalty and a Chelsea player will get send off at Camp Nou. They always rely on them in such games.
Ah, that old chestnut again.
If a player deserved to be sent off last night it was Drogba.
Drogba did not technically dive, he was time wasting. Diving is an attempt to get a foul called on one's opponent, and Didier was not doing that (other than the time he was actually kicked in the knee, which may be why he's out of tomorrow's match).
Cahill and Iniesta? Bah. Cahill kicked the ball before he shoved Iniesta, and Iniesta went down too easily anyway (it doesn't look like that from the angle we saw it, but another angle showed that there wasn't enough there to award a penalty).
Chelsea's defending was absolutely brilliant, incredible. I'm rather jealous
it is admirable, as a RM fan, I know my club can't do if their life depends on it, we really suck in the defending area
Lol, yes, this I was saying this as a Madridista as well! We really need some good defenders!
OMG!! I can’t stop laugh!!! This image is amazing!!! But seriously Chelsea won?!! Good job blue good job!! Hahahaha…. I still can’t stop laugh!!!
Congrats to Chelsea, but where was this team in the beginning of the PL season? I don't believe for a second that Di Matteo is playing that different of a system than AVB was. Such a shame. The race for the title could have been so much more exciting. Hopefully they keep this up for the return leg and this weekend.
For me the difference has been "the old guard". Not sure what happened in the past couple of games but they've played much better, imo than in previous games. The only exception would be Drogba who always gave 110% when he's played.
I definitely sense that the team is playing with more confidence. I though Ashley Cole had a really good game, particularly that clearance off the line.
Well done to Chelsea. I think many people expected Barca to thrash them but for some reason Chelsea didn't get the memo. Game on!
WoW!! Such a good shot! So many players doing so many different things at the same time!! Under the rain!
I LOVE Chelsea <3
you goooo team
Di Mattteo is amazing, I hope they make it to the final
Di Matteo should be made manager permanently, he's done a great job with Chelsea!
He has, it's incredible. He looks like vodlemort though, has anyone noticed? I still love him lol
*voldemort lol
Oh he kinda does lol, I always thought he resembled a turtle. Sorry Roberto!
still a brilliant coach. If Voldemort coached a team, it would be the nastiest team ever.
Yay Chelsea! So proud, such great defensive work. Can't wait to see what happens at Camp Nou. I'm hoping for a Real Madrid – Chelsea final!
So proud of the blues!!! Everyone worked really really hard and it paid off! Excited for 2nd leg!
hahaha…that's great! (Madrid v Chelsea) Although I would be absolutely gutted if Real did not make it to the final. I can honestly say that ALL of the current teams and any number of variations for the final this year is just riveting! ALL teams are seemingly hitting their form, each team don't have an overwhelming momentum, and ALL are playing blindingly beautiful football!
I have one team that I absolutely LOVE FOR LIFE NO MATTER WHAT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES (Liverpool), and another that I emphatically adore, gush, melt, obsess, and "kickette" banter duel to the "administration thread" death over (which is Real Madrid) ….but my true enrapture is for the BEAUTIFUL GAME itself. This Champions League semi-final season is absolute top-class footy heaven. It's kinda hard to be anxious over the Euro when this kind of action is going! Sorry….feeling EXTREMELY gushy
This image looks like three different ballets attempting to be performed simultaneously. In the rain.
This pic is fabulous!
CHELSEA!!!!
Well, this just makes for an interesting second leg for both semi-finals. Visca Barca!!!