The Football Thread; transfer hype + stuff

[PES Fan]

Luiz at fault for Cech getting injured. And now injured Terry.

[Glowy69]

Chelsea players injuring themselves.

[Codename 47]

Is Moyes in charge of Atletico tactics? Just seems cross and cross.

I was going to say the same thing. They seem too content to just get the ball out wide and hoof a cross. They actually got some joy a few moments ago when they quickened the pace and did some one-touch stuff.

How the heck did Terry get injured there? It just seemed like he stood on Luiz's foot and then crumpled down in agony. Luiz is doing more damage to his teammates than Madrid it seems.

[PES Fan]

Cech, Terry and Hazard potentially missing Sunday.

[Lotus]

Schürrle's hair is shocking.

[Cosmo]

Chelsea players injuring themselves.

Gives them the chance to get fondled by the physio.

[teh bork]

You think this Atleti team outclass Chelsea? Don't be daft. And yes Jose will be pleased, but he hasn't got a result yet, and anyone who thinks football is all about the result can't be a real football fan, and probably has never paid money to go and see a game. Not aimed at you Fin, the attitude just really frustrates me.

Of course not. I'm a big Jose fan, he's a prick at the best of times and the style against bigger sides or in important matches, especially away can't be considered pleasant to watch. But it's effective and it's brought a lot of success to various sides. His sides are also more than capable of playing some lovely stuff and they've been excellent to watch at points this season.

If people honestly think it's awful then spend £800 watching an Allardyce side all season, even more pragmatic, with none of the entertainment or results.

[Blue Eyes]

Lampard hid nicely there.

[GrinWithoutaKat]

"Referee has got to be strong here and not be swayed by the Athletico players"

Yeah, like the ref was strong against the Chelsea players wanting a second yellow for Chico last weekend. Lampard should be off.

[Captain Kinopio]

Azpilicueta has been a reet banana split there

[Ginga]

If people honestly think it's awful then spend £800 watching an Allardyce side all season, even more pragmatic, with none of the entertainment or results.

The Germans have a word for this. I think it's "lederhosen".

[teh bork]

"Referee has got to be strong here and not be swayed by the Athletico players"

Yeah, like the ref was strong against the Chelsea players wanting a second yellow for Chico last weekend. Lampard should be off.

Or how the ref should have been strong and not swayed by Chico's play acting to get Carroll sent off.

[Codename 47]

This ITV commentary Townsend saying he didn't think it was delibrate...cue to replay's showing Lampard lunging forward with his arm to control the ball. He actually sounded like he was going to cry when he thought the ref was calling Lampard over to give him a second Yellow.

[GrinWithoutaKat]

"Referee has got to be strong here and not be swayed by the Athletico players"

Yeah, like the ref was strong against the Chelsea players wanting a second yellow for Chico last weekend. Lampard should be off.

Or how the ref should have been strong and not swayed by Chico's play acting to get Carroll sent off.

Nah, I agree Chico deserved to go, as did Carrol, and as did Lampard.

[Mockmaster]

Shut up Andy Townsend when was the last time you tried an overhead kick?

[Luboluke]

You think this Atleti team outclass Chelsea? Don't be daft. And yes Jose will be pleased, but he hasn't got a result yet, and anyone who thinks football is all about the result can't be a real football fan, and probably has never paid money to go and see a game. Not aimed at you Fin, the attitude just really frustrates me.

Of course not. I'm a big Jose fan, he's a prick at the best of times and the style against bigger sides or in important matches, especially away can't be considered pleasant to watch. But it's effective and it's brought a lot of success to various sides. His sides are also more than capable of playing some lovely stuff and they've been excellent to watch at points this season.

If people honestly think it's awful then spend £800 watching an Allardyce side all season, even more pragmatic, with none of the entertainment or results.

If you had Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Torres, Eto'o, Schurrle, Lampard, Luiz...I'm sure you'd play some nice stuff at times too, even with big Sam. When it matters, Mourinho goes into ultra defensive, cynical mode, and it's inexcusable imo, all of his teams could have won what they did playing football, he's tactically good enough. Look at the City game earlier in the season, Chelsea defended well, but they dominated in midfield and played well, and it was a good game. That's what Mourinho should be about.

[Captain Kinopio]

Not watched much of the game but it seems to me that Athletico are showing Chelsea way too much respect.

[Blue Eyes]

Torres just can't catch a break/do anything right. He's a very frustrating player to watch.

[Finiarél]

twitter.com/broadcastmoose/status/458704212285612032

[teh bork]

You think this Atleti team outclass Chelsea? Don't be daft. And yes Jose will be pleased, but he hasn't got a result yet, and anyone who thinks football is all about the result can't be a real football fan, and probably has never paid money to go and see a game. Not aimed at you Fin, the attitude just really frustrates me.

Of course not. I'm a big Jose fan, he's a prick at the best of times and the style against bigger sides or in important matches, especially away can't be considered pleasant to watch. But it's effective and it's brought a lot of success to various sides. His sides are also more than capable of playing some lovely stuff and they've been excellent to watch at points this season.

If people honestly think it's awful then spend £800 watching an Allardyce side all season, even more pragmatic, with none of the entertainment or results.

If you had Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Torres, Eto'o, Schurrle, Lampard, Luiz...I'm sure you'd play some nice stuff at times too, even with big Sam. When it matters, Mourinho goes into ultra defensive, cynical mode, and it's inexcusable imo, all of his teams could have won what they did playing football, he's tactically good enough. Look at the City game earlier in the season, Chelsea defended well, but they dominated in midfield and played well, and it was a good game. That's what Mourinho should be about.

Depends how good they are playing long balls or winning flick ons...

But that's the way to win against certain sides. Mourinho's tactics against Barcelona under Pep were the only way to defeat them, Jose even admitted that trying to 'have a go' resulted in being humiliated 5-0 and using more defensive strategies gained him the success against them at both Inter and Real.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of the style, but it's effective at what he's setting out to do. I'd love to see a game of passing football, with attacking intent from both sides, but at the end of the day it's a results business and Chelsea couldn't give a flying strawberry float if they end up winning the Champions League by being defensive to get there.