Chelsea had no other option but to play defensive football against Barcelona and Bayern Munich to stop their renowned forwards. What matters in the end is that they won by employing this strategy. In the 1990 World Cup Soccer Argentina under Maradonna employed the same strategy and reached the finals. As for the country v/s club football debate is concerned, most players playing for the country play for some club wheras all club footballers do not play for the country. Is it possible that all players of India playing in IPL will play for the country and only the best ones will play for India. If club football is more exciting than international football than why does World Cup Soccer, Euro Cup and Copa America get world wide more audience than Club football.
Re: Club Football v/s Country Football
by NashikMarathi on May 20, 2012 12:18 PM
Argentina under Maradona did employ that strategy - except in the semi final versus Italy when they did not.
Maybe the early Schillaci goal made them change the strategy. They did continue attacking right to the end in that semi final.
As for the more audience - there could be three reasons. 1) happens once every four years 2) People like seeing different soccer styles by nations instead of the blended bland style of club soccer. 3) This is probably the best reason - it is simply better than club soccer and most soccer fans know it.
This was the strangest final I have watched. Chelsea won only by luck, and Bayern was out of ideas. They should have put at least 3-4 past blues. Anyway am happy for CHelsea.
Two third rate side went to the finals by luck or fluke, whatever one might say. We all know that RM and Barca are better sides. Worse of the two third rate sides won the tournament. This year's Champion's league is the worst in the last twelve years.
Re: Third rate Sides
by Nakul Dhotre on May 20, 2012 09:05 AM
Are favorites always suppose to win? Then tell what is the need to play the matches? I would say this was one of the greatest matches. Coming back in game with 2 mins to finish is a perfect finish. Chelsea Vs Barca was another nice game. Defeating Barca is tough and showing aggression was never going to be a good idea!.. If you can answer, how can one win if he knows he is weaker? Is he only suppose to lose?
Re: Re: Third rate Sides
by vellayani on May 20, 2012 09:32 AM
I think defense has its place in modern football too. The italian teams of the 90s were experts in that. Remember the trio of Franco Baresi (the emperor of defense), Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta for AC Milan in the 90s.
Similarly Cannavaro for Italy in the last world cup.
Chelsea were forced to play defense because they were missing John terry, Ivanovic and Ramires.
They had to defend. Otherwise they are a very attacking team.
Re: Third rate Sides
by abhay singh on May 20, 2012 10:57 AM
wht abt 2008 when so called gr8 man u win with the help of ref. wht abt 2009 when barca defeated chelsea on away gaol when everyone knows ref didn't given a clear penalty to chelsea. dear its sports in sports & war whoever wins deserve to win y not u see how chelsea defended a cole was fantastic ceck save penalty from robben wht a superb header by drogba to equalize chelsea deserve to win and if u r spanish fan go and sleep wake up next year
Blue is the color,Football is the game,we are all together, and winning is our aim,so thank you all our supporters and fans,who cheered us thru Sun and Rain,Cos Chelsea,Chelsea is our Name.
I saw this game and others this Champions league season and ..... please all Champions league fans, this is not even in the same class as international soccer. It is definitely a few rungs lower.
You will see what I mean in Brasil in 2014 when the Brasilian national team plays... hopefully against Argentina(Bonus points if you can guess who lays an egg for Argentina in International soccer!)
Re: Anybody who says the standard of champions league play exceed
by Injun Abhi on May 20, 2012 05:02 AM
You are a dodo. Club football has a higer level than WC anyday. That is because players don't exert themselves during WC football.
Re: Re: Anybody who says the standard of champions league play ex
by NashikMarathi on May 20, 2012 06:43 AM
Hmmm... you must be a Messi fan. Figures....
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Anybody who says the standard of champions le
by NashikMarathi on May 20, 2012 08:25 AM
Even Argentines booed their own poor Messi on their own ground after he layed an egg in the Copa America!
Now you go light a candle to the guy and team that got taken to the cleaners by this very underwhelming Chelsea team!!
Re: Anybody who says the standard of champions league play exceed
by bhaskar on May 20, 2012 09:16 AM
clubs play with a team through out the year while countries only play when their is a cup or tournament. Club football is lot more exiting while country football is more of a prestige issue.
Re: Re: Anybody who says the standard of champions league play ex
by NashikMarathi on May 20, 2012 11:19 AM
Country football is a style of each unique country. Brasilians, Argentinans, Germans, Italians, French play a certain style.
An Ashley Cole or Lampard hardly play like a Ramires. They play more like Gerrard or even Rooney.
You will see in 2014 when some Maicon plays with some Ramires plays with some Neymar and see what I mean about style.
Re: Anybody who says the standard of champions league play exceed
by deepak jain on May 20, 2012 10:34 AM
I think you do not understand football much, Club football is always a notch above World cup, only thing is passion and fan base is very high for World cup
Re: Re: Anybody who says the standard of champions league play ex
by NashikMarathi on May 20, 2012 11:00 AM
Oh yes.... I saw Chelsea playing today. They were better than Zidane's France in 1998 or the Brasilian team of 2002. NOT!
Actually you don't understand soccer. International teams play one style. Germans play a style - that is why Klose like players are effective. Brasilians play Samba soccer - all of them play like Ramires. All Italians play tough defense. Its a different game.
There is a reason why Messi versus the Germans in the world cup was so completely SHUT DOWN. Cristiano Ronaldo has done nothing of note in International soccer. Likes of Alessandro Del Piero were stars of club soccer and literally sidelined in International.
International soccer is way tougher. Maradona, Zidane, Baggio are among those who have excelled at both.
