Roberto Di Matteo "Buddha"

DeviAngel wrote:and he should be the players are like re-born under him plus Torres is playing good maybe its time for him to be AM his dribbling and passing is amazing

but I see Abramobich choosing other coach

Napoli won 6-3 at the weekend against Cagliari, but all three goals they conceded were headers scored by Joaquin Larrivey, a basic number nine – this is suddenly something they’re vulnerable to (which is bizarre considering their system, which features three centre-backs and decent width on both sides). Morgan De Sanctis also flapped at an early corner, indicating he wasn’t happy with the ball being delivered from wide either.

But the problem continued, with John Terry completely free to head in at the start of the second from a corner. Even the corner had been conceded when Hugo Campagnaro headed behind under no pressure, suggesting poor communication – then from the corner, Gokhan Inler’s marking was non-existent. Lampard’s third came from a penalty, conceded after yet more poor marking from a corner.

Despite this clear weakness and Chelsea taking advantage, the home side weren’t doing their best to exploit the problems. Di Matteo persisted with right-footed Ramires on the left (granted, he provided the assist for the goal, but he’s hardly a classic winger, and certainly not on the left) and Sturridge on the right. Even more strangely, Fernando Torres replaced Sturridge later on, and started off playing on the right – again, he wasn’t likely to provide good service for Drogba.

It took until extra time for Di Matteo to realise the potential. He removed Juan Mata, who had been quiet, and introduced a player comfortable playing down the left, Florent Malouda. Ramires went to the right, and Torres went upfront. 4-4-2. Now Chelsea had two players in more comfortable wide roles, and two strikers in the box to get on the end of crosses. Chelsea were now more direct – see De Sanctis’ error for Torres’ missed open goal (from a narrow angle).

Eventually the fourth did come from a cross, of sorts. The combination of Drogba and Ivanovic wasn’t what the formation had intended, but the move did come after Ramires went down the outside on the right.

Danny7 wrote:

DeviAngel wrote:and he should be the players are like re-born under him plus Torres is playing good maybe its time for him to be AM his dribbling and passing is amazing

but I see Abramobich choosing other coach

I don't know, tbh. The players seem to have settled down with him laying instructions. With AVB, players were all over the place due to all these changes in formation, selections and what not.

I think this is the point where Torres and Drogba is re-bled into the team. It didn't work so well under AVB. But with Torres doing well on the ball and distributing it to teammates much more simpler, and Drogba re-establishing himself as the beastly force that can hold the ball well and carry on in physical battles, I think Torres should be played just right behind Drogba as a CF.

I don't really enjoy the prospect of seeing Sturridge, yes he adds pace to the team, but he is just to wasteful. He seems to look for the shot too often.


------------------Cech--------------
-Ivanovic---Terry---Luiz---Cole--
----------Essien----Lampard-----
Ramires----------------------Mata-
-----Drogba----Torres(deeper)--

This is great passing side in this Chelsea, and quite the industrial, too. I think this is the code AVB was trying to crack all this time.

Se7en wrote:

Napoli won 6-3 at the weekend against Cagliari, but all three goals they conceded were headers scored by Joaquin Larrivey, a basic number nine – this is suddenly something they’re vulnerable to (which is bizarre considering their system, which features three centre-backs and decent width on both sides). Morgan De Sanctis also flapped at an early corner, indicating he wasn’t happy with the ball being delivered from wide either.

But the problem continued, with John Terry completely free to head in at the start of the second from a corner. Even the corner had been conceded when Hugo Campagnaro headed behind under no pressure, suggesting poor communication – then from the corner, Gokhan Inler’s marking was non-existent. Lampard’s third came from a penalty, conceded after yet more poor marking from a corner.

Despite this clear weakness and Chelsea taking advantage, the home side weren’t doing their best to exploit the problems. Di Matteo persisted with right-footed Ramires on the left (granted, he provided the assist for the goal, but he’s hardly a classic winger, and certainly not on the left) and Sturridge on the right. Even more strangely, Fernando Torres replaced Sturridge later on, and started off playing on the right – again, he wasn’t likely to provide good service for Drogba.

It took until extra time for Di Matteo to realise the potential. He removed Juan Mata, who had been quiet, and introduced a player comfortable playing down the left, Florent Malouda. Ramires went to the right, and Torres went upfront. 4-4-2. Now Chelsea had two players in more comfortable wide roles, and two strikers in the box to get on the end of crosses. Chelsea were now more direct – see De Sanctis’ error for Torres’ missed open goal (from a narrow angle).

Eventually the fourth did come from a cross, of sorts. The combination of Drogba and Ivanovic wasn’t what the formation had intended, but the move did come after Ramires went down the outside on the right.

Tactical masterclass

BarcaLearning wrote:

Im confused a little, a tactical masterclass which is when he only realised at extra time Napoli's weaknesses from crosses?

Barrettinator wrote:Credit to Lamps for adapting to the role though.