Liverpool Vs Chelsea (Anfield, 22/04/08)

[titansrule]

So tonight is the First Leg of the Champions League Semi Final between Chelsea and Liverpool. The 3rd time they have met at this stage in 4 years. Liverpool were victorious in the last two outings.

However, there is a crucial difference which bodes well for Chelsea. The second leg is at Stamford Bridge, and not Anfield, which was not the case in years passed.

Chelsea are the better team, thats not up for debate. It just depends on the performance. Keep Torres and Gerrard quiet, and things should be fine from a Chelsea perspective.

I really hope we can nick a goal, 1-1 would be a great result. A 2-1 loss actually wouldnt be the end of the world. Basically, so long as we dont lose by two clear goals, I see us going through.

The problem we have tonight is no Essien, but I think he should set the team up like this:

Cech
Ferreira Carvalho Terry Cole
Makelele
Ballack Lampard
Cole Drogba Kalou

Now if Lampard opts not to play because of his Mum having Pneumonia Id like to see him go 4-4-2 and bring in Anelka to partner Drogba, rather than Mikel to partner Ballack.

I cant wait for the game, keep it close tonight, and we should go through.
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Madden 09 Madden 2009
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It looks like he has gone for the team I hoped, except Malouda for Kalou. Which I think is a bit of a joke. Malouda has been poor lately, and Kalou has played very well. I think its harsh on him, myself. Malouda could be great, but thus far he hasnt shown it. The positive though is it gives us a natural left footer out there. Giving us possibly more width, in a game that has historically been narrow.

And we all know Joe Cole likes to cut in. So it could have its benefits. I literally cant wait now..

[SilentTom]

I'm anxious for this and wish I wasn't at work while it's played... though it's probably only on pay per view or one of the special sports networks here.

Will be following a match tracker thing though.

[gopackgo160]

Ahh not long now! Glad to see he's starting (Joe) Cole, I have the damnest feeling hes gonna be the diffrence. I'm off to watch it now! Probably post at HT

[SilentTom]

Seems like we got the 1-1 result ... still can't believe it. Was following the Gamecast on soccernet.com and in the 94th minute Cech had stopped Torres and I thought it was over.

Next thing I know it says "Goal For Chelsea!" in highlights.

Poor poor Riise, oh wait never mind ... where's my box of thank you cards?

[SilentTom]

Hahaha, my brother read my MSN name about the game, "1-1 draw on the road ... works for me. Bring it to 'em at the Bridge Chelsea."

He was sooooo pissed, swearing, whining, etc.

[titansrule]

Haha. Well three of my close friends are Liverpool fans, and I was getting **** the whole time (much as tho there were periods in which we were dominant)...So when it went in, I made sure they didnt live it down.

We will never get a better chance to be in the final now. I hope Lamps comes back, as he is out of the Man U game (giant loss). But we will have Essien, who is our form player. And to be honest, bar a couple of lapses of concentration, I thought they never really looked like scoring. Torres is obviously very dangerous, but Carvalho can neutralise him.

I would be looking forward to the game, but there is an equally huge one before it.