Tactical Analysis: Chelsea left back dilemma

Over the past couple of weeks injuries for the Chelsea full back department have left them without Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa and Yuri Zhirkov to cover the left back position for 2 vital fixtures.

Malouda filled the void against both Inter in the Champions League and Man City in today’s fixture in the Premier League. I felt that he had 2 very good games on an individual basis, pushing forward to support the attack and tracking back and defending well. However as part of the Chelsea system I felt he didn’t quite fit in and it left them horribly exposed.

In the San Siro against Inter, Ancelotti lined up with a narrow 3 in the midfield which negated the Italian centre of Cambiasso, Thiago Motta and Stankovic. Up front they played Kalou, Drogba and Anelka, a front 3 pairing that would struggle to offer width sufficient to break down Inter.

In this situation Chelsea were relying on the full backs, Ivanovic and Malouda, to get forward and provide the necessary width. For whatever reason most of the action on Wednesday night went down the Chelsea right wing. Perhaps with the intention of getting at the ageing Javier Zanetti or maybe just a coincidence. When Ivanovic pushed down the right, Malouda had to push on the opposite wing to provide width and try to stretch Inter.

Inter setup to absorb this pressure and played most of their football on the counter attack, with the Chelsea full backs out of the equation Inter were able to break and were left 3 versus 3 with plenty of space in the channels (shown in yellow above) to stretch the 3 Chelsea players. If they could have made more of these situations they would have more than a 1 goal lead to take into the second leg at Stamford Bridge in just under 3 weeks time.

Against Man City today, Chelsea went with a narrow-ish 4-4-2. Joe Cole providing a little bit more width down the left but this time Chelsea’s problems came from transitional play. Bellamy’s first goal came about because Chelsea left themselves 2 versus 2 at the back when they had a corner and the scores level at one a piece.

The move began from the clearance of a Joe Cole cross, at this point Chelsea had the situation under control. Carvalho was marking Bellamy and Mikel was free behind him to cover as he retreated to defend the transition. I cannot understand what went through Carvalho’s head, he all of a sudden decides that Bellamy is not important and turns to pressure Gareth Barry who has the ball, he has at least 15 yards to make before he can make any sort of block and leaves Bellamy with some 20 yards of space to play into before he gets to Mikel.

Predictably, Carvalho is in no man’s land, the ball is lifted into the space and Bellamy and Tevez are 2 versus 2 which leads to the goal. You can see the goal here at 101greatgoals.

Luckily it seems that Bosingwa and Zhirkov will be back next week. This will give Chelsea better shape and should see them through to the next round of the Champions League as well as their next few games in the Premiership.

Wednesday tit-bits

Do Chelsea deserve any sympathy in Europe?

Hugh McIlvaney writes, in the Sunday Times last weekend, that Chelsea have had their plentiful share of hardships over the last half a dozen seasons when competing for the title at Europe’s top table.

They have suffered 4 semi-final exits, some more painful than others, and the injustice of losing due to a mishit John Terry penalty. Is this a true depiction of the views of the British footballing public or is it another case of the selective vision and selective memory of a patriotic journalist?

Their one appearance in the final so far was a solid performance but neither they nor Man Utd really threatened for the majority of the game and so they lost it on a lottery, perhaps they should have been more assertive in open play?

En-route to most of these semi finals Chelsea have not had to face the best sides in the draw. In a similar manner to the way in which they always seem to draw League 2 opposition at home in the FA cup they often find themselves with a tie against Stuttgart or Olympiakos or Fenerbache. Not sides to be sniffed at but hardly the cream of Europe. Perhaps I would offer more in the way of sympathy if they had had to play a prolific side, in the sort of form that the 2006-07 Milan side were in the Champions League.

The only possible exception to this rule was in 2005 when they played Barcelona and Bayern Munich to reach the semi finals before losing out to a solitary goal against eventual winners Liverpool. I suspect that Barcelona were not at their peak and Bayern have not been able to recreate the successes of the late 90s and early 2000s now that much of the Bundesliga is run on a tight budget.

Last season’s semi final against Barcelona is the main course of Hugh’s piece. Much like many other members of the media and the general public they are quick to mention a shocking performance from Ovrebo and the countless penalties that Chelsea should have been awarded. No one talks about the chances that Drogba missed in the away leg, nor the penalties that should have been doled out to Barcelona for Bosingwa’s tug on Henry’s shirt. Nor do they discuss the misfortune of Eric Abidal, who had to miss the final through suspension because Nicolas Anelka tripped over his own feet.

Tonight Ancelotti’s Chelsea face a former friend in Jose Mourinho, over 2 legs they should be able to ease past Inter. A side who are not in form, have drawn their last 4 matches 0-0. Who lead Serie A by 5 points, chasing a 5th consecutive but hollow title. The standard of the Italian league has slipped since it’s glory days in the 90s.

The key for Chelsea will be to use plenty of width against a Mourinho side expected to play a narrow 4-3-1-2. I look forward to the game tonight with much anticipation.

Pele stands up for Maradonna

After years of animosity, mainly based on the fact Pele has always jealously defended his super status as the game’s greatest player, Pele has defended his Argentine counterpart stating that “it was his first time coaching.” and blaming head of the AFA, Grondona, for installing him in a position of great importance. Full story here.

Ronaldo calling time on his career… not quite yet though.

Ronaldo (the Brazilian) has finally decided that he will be retiring from football, at the end of his new contract. The once prolific striker has signed a 2-year extension to his current deal with Corinthians in Brazil. His career has included spells at some great clubs including PSV, Barcelona, Inter and Real Madrid. More here.

Cristiano Ronaldo proclaimed as God in Madrid

The Spanish press on Monday morning were kissing the feet of the great CR9 or God.  AS and Marca would have you believe anyway. Sid Lowe reports for the Guardian.

Great goals and random video

Boriello stunner for AC Milan vs Bari, see it here.

Maradonna goes through an entertaining warm up routine, courtesy of Gab Marcotti

Young Talent – Douglas Costa

Last summer Douglas Costa became a big star on the YouTube talent circuit, he was touted as the next Ronaldinho. He had been linked heavily to Manchester Utd as an “obvious” replacement to Cristiano Ronaldo.

In the end, rumours about his attitude and problems in his private life contributed to Alex Ferguson passing on the opportunity and instead signing up Obertan.  He had also been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Juventus in August 2009.

At Gremio he only played a handful of games during his 2 year tenure, however he appeared to be a bright, skilful player with a good footballing brain with awareness of his and his teammates positioning on the pitch.

He has also featured often for the Brazil U20 team, both at the World Cup in Egypt last year and at the 2009 U20 South American Championships playing a part in their path to the final and victory respectively.

Against Fulham on Thursday night, he came on for fellow Brazilian Jadson with Fulham, somewhat fortuitously, 2-1 up. He looked very bright and skilful with plenty of pace. I was particularly pleased to see him attacking Stephen Kelly and not being afraid of trying a trick or two at this level.

He pushed the full back and offered plenty of support to Luis Adriano up front when the ball was on the opposing wing. He had much hunger and was constantly demanding the ball when free and in space.

His January transfer to Shaktar (€6m) seems the perfect move for a young talent such as Douglas, the Ukranian side play a slick, to feet brand of passing football that will suit his style and the quality of other Brazilian players at the club will not only push his abilities but also ensure that he settles well in a country far far away from his native land.  I look forward to seeing more from him in the future.

Links: -

http://www.douglascosta.com.br/default.asp