Chelsea FC : At the Euro 2012

After a month long European Football excitement ended on 1st July, now is the time for us to review the performances of our Chelsea FC players who represented their respective countries in the tournament.

England

Chelsea player(s) selected : Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Ashley Cole.

When the squad list was released by the FA,there was huge disappointment that Daniel Sturridge wasn't selected. Later on injuries forced Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill out of the EURO 2012. This meant England missed a brilliant defender(Gary Cahill) who had a brilliant partnership with John Terry and Ashley Cole at the back. Missing Lampard was a huge blow as England missed experience in midfield.

Matches:-

France v England
Terry and A.Cole started the match and both played full 90 minutes.
John Terry provided a more subdued performances where he sat back and let his defensive partner go forward at times. Didn't get beaten once all night long.
Ashley Cole was solid all night long cutting the supplies from the France's right wing and calm and composed performance from the man.

Raitings:-

John Terry: 7/10
A. Cole: 8/10

Terry and A.Cole started the match and both played full 90 minutes.John Terry  made a good block to lessen the damage of an Ibrahimovic strike after initially giving the ball away. Was at his best in terms of commitment and was like a rock at the back for most portions of the match.
Ashley cole didn’t seem to have the adventurous instincts that normally come naturally, but defensively he gave Larsson little room in the England half, forcing the better balls to be delivered from deep.

Raitings:-
John Terry: 7/10
A. Cole: 6.5/10

England v Ukraine
John Terry and A.Cole started the match and both played full 90 minutes.
John Terry made one vital early interception that denied Milevskiy a clear run in on goal and that set the tone for an impressive night’s work, capped by a magnificent clearance which forced the assistant referee into an incorrect call.
Cole Coped admirably with the threat of Yarmolenko but as is often the case, was unable to get forward in the manner we are accustomed to seeing when he plays for Chelsea.

Raitings:-
John Terry: 9/10
A.Cole: 7/10

England v Italy
John Terry and A.Cole started the match and both played full 90 minutes.
John Terry dealt with the long ball in the air on most occasions but struggled when it went in behind. Made a fantastic interception to stop Balotelli shooting in the 25th minuteand remained fairly solid from then on in. If it wasn't for John Terry, England would have been beaten in normal time.
Cole did not foray into the opposing half often enough and as he pulled in tightly due to the overrun midfield he left Young to fend off Abate. Finally charged forward in second-half stoppage time to cross but Rooney missed the target. Missed England's fourth and crucial penalty.

Raitings:-
John Terry: 8/10
A. Cole: 6.5/10

Czech Republic

Chelsea player(s) selected : Petr Cech.

Matches:-

Czech Republic v Russia

Cech started the match and played full 90 minutes.
Cech could do nothing about the goals, just to look and stare at the mistakes his teammates are making over and over again.

Raiting: 6/10

Greece v Cech Republic

Cech started the match and played full 90 minutes.
Made an awful mistake for Gekas' goal where he fumbled disastrously to hand the Greeks a goal.

Raiting: 3.5/10

Czech Republic v Poland

Cech started the match and played full 90 minutes.
Cech produced couple of firm saves in the first half to deny Poles in an improved performance for the national side after his recent blunder against Greece.

Raiting: 7/10

Czech Republic v Portugal


Cech started the match and played full 90 minutes.
The Chelsea goalkeeper's handing was solid and he made some important reaction saves to deny Ronaldo, Nani and Moutinho. He may, however, be disappointed with his attempt to stop the Portugal goal.

Raiting: 8/10

Portugal

Chelsea player(s) selected: Raul Meireles.

Matches:-

Germany v Portugal

Raul Meireles was one of Portugal's few bright spots in midfield. Showed his talents in possession when the game stretched, and defended well.

Raiting: 7/10

Denmark v Portugal

Not the greatest of games from the Chelsea man, whose output did not match his energy in midfield. Played one good ball to Nani early, but wasted many others. Is in danger of suspension now after picking up a silly yellow card.

Raiting: 5/10

Portugal v Netherlands

Worked hard to pressure the Netherlands midfielders off the ball and kept his passing simple when in possession to set up counterattacks.

Raiting: 7.5/10

Czech Republic v Portugal

Raul Meireles played full 90 minutes.

The Chelsea midfielder looked rather immobile but was a threat when allowed time on the ball. Picked out some wonderful passes over the top of the Czech Republic defence for Ronaldo and Nani.

Raiting: 6.5/10

Portugal v Spain 

Aggressive and authoritative in the early stages and did as much as anyone to knock Spain out of their formidable stride.

Raiting: 7.5/10

France

Chelsea player(s) selected: Florent Malouda.

Matches:-

France v England

Malouda was largely anonymous and appears to lack the pace these days to really worry defenders.

Raiting: 5.5/10

Ukraine v France

Did not feature in this game.

Raiting:- n/a

Sweden v France 

Replaced Ben Arfa just before the hour mark, but he always looked a little out of kilter coming in off the right.

Raiting: 5.5/10

Spain v France

Wasteful in possession and easily bypassed and outmanoeuvred by Spain’s posse of bright, quick thinking tiki-taka experts.

Raiting: 5/10

Spain

Chelsea player(s) selected : Juan Mata and Fernando Torres.

Matches:-

Spain v Italy

Torres failed to make the most of his first chance as he telegraphed his decision to round Buffon. He then broke through the middle but chipped the ball over. He could have won the game for Spain.

Mata did not featured in this game.

Raitings:-

Mata- n/a

Torres- 6/10

Spain v Republic of Ireland

Torres looked a different player against Ireland. An emphatic finish in the fourth minute was followed by a calculated strike in the second half. His movement was great all night.

Mata did not featured in this game.

Raitings:-

Mata - n/a

Torres- 9/10

Croatia v Spain

Torres made a real nuisance of himself in the early stages but was tracked frequently by Schildenfeld. Did well to forge his own chance from an acute angle in the 22nd minute but his lack of involvement saw him substituted in the 61st minute.

Mata did not feature in this game.

Raitings:-

Mata - n/a

Torres - 6/10

Spain v France

With his side seemingly intent on keeping possession rather than searching for a second goal, the Chelsea striker wasn't given the opportunity to look as threatening as he has earlier in the tournament.

Mata did not feature in this game.

Raitings:- 

Torres - 6/10

Mata- n/a

Portugal v Spain

Both Torres and Mata did not feature in this game.

Raitings:- n/a

Spain v Italy

Torres replaced Fabregas 15 minutes from time and put the result beyond all doubt in the 84th minute as he rolled the ball past Buffon. His movement again caught out the Italy defence as he set up Mata's strike.

Mata replaced Iniesta in the 87th minute and rounded off the victory a minute later as he turned the ball into an empty net. Torres also won tthe EURO Golden Boot.

Raitings:- 

Mata- n/a

Torres- 8/10

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