So Chelsea's doomed attempts to win European club football's major prize are invariably stalled for yet another year. Why? Because Jose Mourinho showed the world why he's touted as the 'Special One'. But what's so special about him exactly? His outspoken demeanour that yokes away the media focus off his teams? Or his uncanny ability to fan the fire with pre-match insinuations? Or the ruthless efficiency he exudes when he's cavorting with the press?
Neither. The business end of things is on the pitch. And that's where Inter Milan covered themselves in glory last night. Chelsea were pedestrian across every inch of the lush green at Stamford Bridge. Michael Ballack, an innocuous non-presence. Didier Drogba, the footballing equivalent of a ticking time bomb. Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda laboured all evening. But only enough to illustrate the void in class between two teams currently at the top of their respective leagues. Esteban Cambiasso and Thiago Motta marshalled the space in front of defence as if their lives depended on it. And Lucio, Maicon and Samuel at the back – as if fiercely protective of their goalkeeper – threw their bodies in the way of each and every shot on goal. Upfront, Mourinho shed the cloak of conservatism to use a three-pronged attack. Samuel Eto'o and Goran Pandev were gainfully deployed along wings while Diego Milito plied the lone furrow through the centre. Orchestrating all of Inter's attacking play was the wonderfully rejuvenated Wesley Sneijder. In a fluid state of creativity – as he was all evening – it was only fitting that his sublime pass put the game well and truly beyond Chelsea. Enough to firmly slam the door on their dream of European glory for another year.
Champions League success has eluded Roman Abramovich since he decided to shower his millions at Chelsea in 2004. It's been six years now, and the cupboard – while not being bare – is still relatively conspicuous. I wonder how much longer can this repeatedly battered Chelsea line-up keep going to the well and coming back empty handed.
Doesn't really matter for the moment at least. It's water under the bridge.
The trouble is having no alternatves. Except for the long-ball-forward method, how else will the goals come? The wingers. How do you play 2 wingers when you have players like Ballack & Mikel already guaranteed a starting place? Chelsea were ruthless under Jose only because the Joe Cole's and Robben's provided that killer element from the wings. Time to go back to the drawing board Carlo.. and hope some of Jose's plans are still not rubbed off.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say. Carlo brought with him a few of his well-served strategies from Milan. Most significantly, the over-reliance of experience at the expense of youth. It works in Serie A, which is well and truly devoid of ideas, and even pace. But in the Premier League, you have to have a plan B.
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