Sunday, November 25, 2012

What We Learned From The Manchester City Match : 25.11.2012

What We Learned From The Manchester City Match : 25.11.2012
After 92 minutes of play, the highly anticipated match between Rafa's Chelsea and Mancini's City ended 0-0.

Scorers :
None

What We Learned :
1. Under Rafa, we're solid defensively.
2. Torres and Luiz becoming more visible.
3. Not much will change under Benitez.
4. Chelsea aren't out of the EPL race.

1. Under Rafa, we're solid defensively : Benitez did something AVB and Di Matteo couldn't do, he held one of the clubs in the PL to a cleansheet. Under Di Matteo, we conceded 10 goals against the other Top 6 clubs (Liverpool - 1, Spurs - 2, Arsenal - 1, City - 3 and United - 3). Under Rafa Benitez, we've conceded 0 against City (who Di Matteo conceded 3 in the Community Shield). David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic held the City strikers up well and didn't allow them many clear-cut chances.

2. Torres and Luiz becoming more visible : Under Di Matteo, David Luiz and Fernando Torres were very inconsistent and anonymous as of late and mostly throughout this last season with Roberto Di Matteo. Torres had a chance and was hustling/working hard to get Chelsea in front and although, it didn't happen Chelsea fans can certainly appreciate Torres' efforts, today. As for Luiz, he wasn't the clumsy Luiz we've been used to, he showed a good bit of composure and didn't do a poor job against City's big names. I still prefer Gary Cahill over David Luiz.

3. Not much will change under Benitez : Rafael Benitez fielded a similar squad to what Di Matteo fielded this season.
         Cech (C)
Azpilicueta  Ivanovic  David Luiz   Cole
           Ramires    Obi Mikel
       Hazard         Mata      Oscar
            Torres

Very similar side to what we've seen under Di Matteo (without Terry/Lampard). This just shows us that Rafa Benitez won't change much in terms of the starting XI and tactics, so far. Whether we see a change against Fulham (home) and West Ham (away) this week, that we shall see.

4. Chelsea aren't out of the EPL race : 

EPL Table (as of now) courtesy of premierleague.com
That's how the table currently stands and we're 4th place and 5 points off 1st place. It's not where we were before the Swansea match, but certainly it's better than where we've been under Villas-Boas and Di Matteo (last season). We're not out and there's 25 matches left to be played and anything can happen (proven last season).

 Ervin


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10 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 26, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    Its a good result. I appreciate the solitary point and the clean sheet. Azpi has proven to be a good signing too. I see better things. Please let's support Rafa for the sake of our club. A good atmosphere will help players' morale and also help us win games.

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  2. ZaneNovember 26, 2012 at 1:41 AM

    What I've seen is what I expected from Benitez. His defenses are always hard to break down and it was so good to see Aguëro being invisible,not to mention Tevez being drawn out wide by the pivot players. Luiz stuck to the basics well by just doing what a defender is suppose to do in the 18 yard area. I did see a difference. Torres got the ball more and you could see the urgency in his game. What I saw though was a lack of support when he held up the ball on the ground. Players like Mata,Hazard and Oscar runs past him,offering no support to recieve the ball and let Torres turn and make an advanced run from his defender. Benitez might change that. There were more through balls forward which is good but were rather inaccurate due to the lack of a proper passing deep midfielder. Benitez might make use of the January window to improve that area of the field by buying a new players or by recalling De Bruyne or Josh. All in all,I think it was a good disciplined display from Chelsea and there's certainly room to improve.

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    Replies
    1. bobchykeNovember 26, 2012 at 4:20 AM

      I didn't see the match, buh I followed every bit of the action on radio as I was on transit. We seem to be more solid defensively, and from the look of things, (In all Honesty & with all due respect to RDM) we would have effectively lost the match if RDM was still in charge at the bridge. Like I said, I didn't see the match and this is MY CANDID OPINION and I shouldn't be crucified for it. Again, a proper passing deep midfielder like Xabi Alonso or Josh would be welcomed in this squad. I hope he finds the perfect balance between defense and attack.
      KTBFFH

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    2. ZaneNovember 26, 2012 at 6:01 AM

      I think Benitez dealt with the defense more in the few days he had to train the squad. A good coach always starts at the back and that's exactly what has happened. The team when defending,moves like a unit in two banks of four keeping spaces tight for the opponents to play into. Two players stay ahead of the two defensive lines for the counter attack. This is typical Benitez and it's genius. It was a goaless draw but I must say Bobchyke that it was entertaining to watch tactically. You know most people only watch football to see goals and brilliant saves.

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    3. bobchykeNovember 26, 2012 at 3:05 PM

      That's awesome. Well, can't wait for the next fixture. Thanks Zane.

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    4. ZaneNovember 26, 2012 at 5:59 PM

      My pleasure Bobchyke. The next fixture on Wednesday against Fulham should be an easier test and I think we should see a fair amount of goals.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousNovember 26, 2012 at 4:22 AM

    http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/nov/25/rafael-benitez-cautious-chelsea?cat=football&type=article

    Read this... 3 days at Chelsea and he already make these minor changes which worked today

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  4. AnonymousNovember 27, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    Bobchyke I like your sense of respect, justice and reasoning.. you said it all and I concur with you that under Dimatteo Man City could have scored Chelsea penetrating the defense easily because they have the complete team that could easily dealt with Chelsea Inept defense, but that will not take away the credit from Dimatteo he is still the Legend we know. Let's pray that the fans would forget the past with Benitez at Liverpool and support him fully just like Hermes Umana said for the sake of our club. I love Chelsea and all the best for the team...KTBFFH

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  5. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    It was a gud start.

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  6. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    Let's join a bbm group for all chelsea faithful. 23238444. Up #CFC

    ReplyDelete

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