Once more, we showed pure class and dominance in the second half of the match, especially with the introductions of Cesc and Hazard.
I've said it on here time and time and time again, that we are better off with a 3-man midfield of Fabregas, Bakayoko and Kante.
In football, possession/ball retention is the key/basics...every other thing is secondary.
I hear some fans who always argue that with the 3-5-1-1, it takes away our attacking edge, but the truth of the matter is that every time we face any decent opposition using the 3-4-3 system, we usually struggle to keep possession of the ball, which makes it difficult for our attacking players to have meaningful impact on the game, bar individual brilliance!
Today's game again highlighted the need for a 3-man midfield.
In the first half, even though we were leading by a goal, and later doubled our lead...we just couldn't control the game, despite having our two strongest players in Kante and Bakayoko.
Our front 3 struggled to make any impact, in fact...Pedro was non-existent in the first half, until he scored his goal, which happened as a result of a mistake from our opposition.
Willian was good, but nothing to show for his dribbles.
The latter part of the second half was a different ball-game altogether, with the introductions of Hazard and Cesc.
Cesc controlled the midfield and dictated play with his passing, while Hazard did what he does best.
In conclusion, if we are to go further in the CL and stand any chance of winning it, Conte must accommodate Cesc in the midfield...he is simply indispensable!
Would I sacrifice the services of Pedro and Willian just to accommodate Cesc? Hell yeah I definitely would!
Thoughts...
I reiterate: we need Cesc in a 3-5-1-1
posted on 24/9/17
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 5 hours, 45 minutes ago
I take it you didn't watch the game OP?
Pedro was class today when he got the ball, main reason he didn't was willian kept giving it away, and kept starting stoke attacks.
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Pedro was a throughout the game. Was taken off because of that. Took his chance in front of goal well again. Definitely one of our better finishers.
posted on 24/9/17
Anyway the reason we won't win the CL this season is because we are not good enough....it will have feck all to do with playing 3-5-2 formation and it certainly won't be down to playing Fabregas or not.
posted on 24/9/17
comment by bloodyblu4cfc.com® (Last Mata fan standing) (U1442)
posted 8 hours, 24 minutes ago
comment by Conte'nt (U20893)
posted 3 hours, 8 minutes ago
In football, possession/ball retention is the key/basics...every other thing is secondary.
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No, goals are key, possession and every other thing secondary
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So how do you score the goals, if you can't do the very basic thing in football which is keeping possession and creating chances?
You see...this mentality about scoring goals being thr basic in football, is why England struggles in tournaments, and recently English teams in the CL.
Football keeps evolving, and there's so much emphasis on retaining possession and athleticism.
What do these successful teams in recent years have in common: Barca, Madrid and Bayern?
Yes, you guessed right...their ability to retain possession dictate the play, and create chances.
Sorry to say this, but the English mentality of football has to be changed before they can win any major tournaments at senior level.
I guess lumping the ball forward or relying on individual brilliance is your reason for saying that goal is the basic aspect of football.
What happens if your team doesn't have a magician, and can't keep possession of the ball for a mere 10 secs?
I reiterate...keeping/retaining possession of the ball is, and should be the basics of football. Every other thing is secondary.
Any coach will tell you this. Kapish?
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soccer?lol.
posted on 24/9/17
We are a very direct team, just look at our first three goals agst Stoke which allcame from dispossessing Stoke and going direct for goal and scoring, there was no control of possession in our game until Stoke got tired and we brought on Fab and Haz to exploit.
Againt AM it will be interesting tactically because I think to beat AM it might be best to invite them on to us and get them to lose their shape.
posted on 24/9/17
Tll hence when he got the ball...don't remember Pedro losing the ball once.
posted on 24/9/17
I hope tc is ok for atletico. He was down for a while yesterday. Looking forward to the challenge but would take a draw now. Would not start cesc that's for sure.
Baka and Kante were great yesterday. I hope they start. Hazard in AM role with Pedro between him and morata.
posted on 24/9/17
I think we have more chance of beating AM away than at home.....but in theory we only need 2 draws agst them and then make sure we take 4 points from Roma
posted on 24/9/17
SWTN its not going to be a walk in the park v Roma.Roma are the second best team in Italy after Juventus the Old Lady.
posted on 24/9/17
comment by ZahraIhsanphile (U20361)
posted 1 minute ago
SWTN its not going to be a walk in the park v Roma.Roma are the second best team in Italy after Juventus the Old Lady.
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Of course not...i totally agree, but I do not think they are not as strong as AM and i would expect us to beat them at SB.
posted on 24/9/17
I would agree if it was Roma of last season. However since Spalletti departed for Inter this season, they have not been the same since.