Champions League: Olympiakos 0 - 0 Chelsea
Match reports
The Times, Matt Hughes: “Grant was employed to echo Ruud Gullit by introducing sexy football, but this performance was about as attractive as one of his ill-fitting tracksuits.”
The Independent, Jason Burtat: “Chelsea had arrived in Athens in a fierce snowstorm which prevented many of their fans from making it to the game and, although the snows melted, the football stayed frozen. Some of those supporters had taken up offers from airlines which had cancelled flights to head somewhere else. It proved a wise choice. There were flares in the stands but not much flair on the pitch.”
The Guardian, David Hytner: “The dream remains alive, after a tense stalemate in the Greek capital gave Chelsea the upper hand in this last-16 meeting. Avram Grant’s eye-opening selection gamble of leaving out John Terry, the captain, and Frank Lampard did not return in any haunting manner and he could be pleased with the application of his charges, as the business end of the season got under way.”
Daily Telegraph, John Ley: “Avram Grant will have to wait to discover, both in the Carling Cup at Wembley on Sunday and at Stamford Bridge a fortnight today, whether his gamble to rest key players here last night was a prudent one. But, having kept their fifth successive clean sheet in Europe and with an unbeaten home record in the Champions League going back two years, they will face Olympiakos in London in confident mood.”
Official Chelsea FC Website: “It won’t necessarily be easy in the London second leg, but Chelsea will be strong favourites to progress.”
The good
- Uh… the scoreline? Described as a valuable draw by some, and a solid performance by others. An away goal would’ve been nice though. Then again I have a feeling that Olympiakos could play for three hours at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight’s time and not even get close to scoring, so toothless was their attack. We have the upper hand and hold the initiative etc.
The bad
- Perhaps not quite as bad as the Liverpool game, but it came very close. In that game we had the excitement of watching Liverpool attempt to score; Olympiakos had even less desire than us.
- Our distinct lack of ambition. Olympiakos were definitely there for the taking yet Grant chose to play for a goalless draw. Oh well, at least he’s stopped parroting about entertainment. I feel for the sixteen hundred fans who made the journey to watch the game: apparently it was only the fourth time it has snowed in Athens in the last forty years.
- The Coles. Wayne Bridge should be our first choice left-back ahead of Ashley Cole. Cole is an imbecile off the pitch and on it he rarely justifies his starting place. If he plays on Sunday ahead of Bridge, then Bridge has every right to feel aggrieved. It has been rumoured in some newspapers that Bridge will seek a transfer if he’s overlooked. Joe Cole is a shadow of the player he was under Jose Mourinho.
- I honestly don’t think Didier Drogba is fit. He didn’t look a hundred percent during the Africa Cup of Nations. I’m just hoping that the recent knee operation hasn’t blunted his speed and power. If it has - and this is probably a tad premature and controversial - it might be time to cash in.
Player ratings
The two Coles - 5/10. The remainder - 6/10.
Man of the Match
Juliano Belletti. At least he can cross a ball.
Final thoughts
The height of Grant’s ambition was to not concede a goal, hence his “brave” decision to drop both Frank Lampard and John Terry.
Alex and Ricardo Carvalho have been in excellent form in recent weeks, as have Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele. With Petr Cech between the sticks it was never going to be a “gamble” dropping Lampard and Terry.
If we play as badly against Spurs in the League Cup final on Sunday and, God forbid, lose, will Grant ever be forgiven?
Related links
- Posted at 11:44 PM · Permalink · 1753 views · Last indexed by Google on the 19th May 2008
- Tags: Ashley Cole, Avram Grant, Champions League, Chelsea, Didier Drogba, Juliano Belletti, Olympiakos, Wayne Bridge
Agree it was a valuable draw. Agree a goal would’ve been nice. Agree Olympiakos wouldn’t score in a month of Sundays. Agree we lacked ambition from the outset. Agree both Coles were dreadful. Agree Drogs is unfit now and during the ANC. Agree I’m glad I decided not to go. Don’t agree about Belletti who I thought was cack and gave Maka a very hard time covering his prolonged absences, as Did Cashley in the first half. 8 for Maka, 7 for Cech for what little he had to do, 6 for Ricky, 5 for the rest apart from the Coles who were lucky to get 3.
It’s likely that the result was expected and in control of Grant’s hand. His ambition (at this moment) is the Carling Cup final, not champions league. He has every right to use whatever players are in his hands - leaving on-fire Lamps and Anelka behind, to use an uncomfy Drogs and non-inspirational JCole for example. 0-0 was what Grant looked for, I think 1-1 would be more convincing.
The good: AG wasn’t wearing a black shirt.
The bad: Typical grandpa’s mentality… AG does not want to lose, AG does not want to win either! No away goal is just no good for us! What if Olympiakos score one at Stamford Bridge and park their team bus in front of their goal, we are dead meat then! Bloody hell, I hope not!
This was by far the most appauling game of football I’ve watched this season. You know, I live in Singapore and I have to get up at 3am in the morning to watch Champions League matches. Imagine me, having to go to school at 6 watching this match. I nearly fell asleep.
Everybody was poor and I agree with you MOTM. At least Belletti could cross the ball. And when Anelka came on, we actually looked like they were going to get a goal. I hate Grant’s way of bringing on substitutes 15 minutes from time. You’ve got to bring them on earlier so that they can make an impact on the game, like Jose used to do and even Ranieri.
It was so important for us to get an away goal today but we showed little ambition in getting one. 0-0 is not a good result in my opinion. I mean, look at Lyon last year. They were the favourites for the Cup. The drew 0-0 against Roma in Rome and thought it was a good result. They were the favourites, there was no way Roma could knock them out. And then what happens? Roma score in France, an away goal that is, and Lyon panic. They concede another and end up getting knocked out.
I’m not saying anything here but this is not finished. If Olympiacos come to the Bridge and get a goal, we are in for a fight to get to the quarter finals. They beat both Lazio and Werder Bremen convincingly away from home in the Group stage and nearly beat Madrid at the Bernabeu. We have got to be wary. They love playing on the counter attack.
But if we stay solid like we usually do, we should get through. I think that the draw was basically because we did not up the tempo. Not because Olympiacos restricted us to that type of game. If we do up our game at the Bridge, then we should get through. Hopefully…
Let’s not panic, it’s not exactly a disaster.
I’m more upset by the broadcast with the black stripes down the side. What’s the point of buying a widescreen lcd if the picture only takes up the middle. I’ve always resented having a few extra inches that don’t get used.
There is no doubting that Olympiakos may seem toothless in attack and played as if they were the away team last night, but they are very organised defensively. It’s going to take a lot to break them down, especially when they put everyone behind the ball. If they do get lucky and score a goal from a set piece, perhaps scoring two goals might be a little out of reach based on our current form.
The other scenario is a 0-0 after extra-time and our boys trying to win a penalty shootout, which considering our last 5 attempts I can remember doesn’t fill me with much confidence.
Why the yellow away strip?
Why the one striker up front?
Why Ballack for 85 minutes?
Why Joe Cole…Why?
Why Ashley Cole….honestly why?
Why the draw?
Why Drogba?
Why not Sheva?
Why Avram Grant?
If I could but only get answers for all these questions…
This comment i read sums it up perfectly:
“Once again against stiffer opposition we have failed to control, dominate and win”
I dont think a draw was a bad result - it was the way the draw came that was bad - we had 2 chances all game, if you could call them chances.
To coin Mr Dyers phrase - grow some balls avram - WE ARE CHELSEA - play a 4-4-2 and not stick 5 in midfield. Kalou and Anelka up front if Drogba is not fit.
And i couldnt agree more with the bridgey comments - we should take a stand - i hate ashely cole - why he shagged that complete munter over mrs cole is beyond me - his choices on the pitch arent much better!!!
Sell cole in the summer - Ivanovic can play anywhere across the back - and stick wayne in there all day long.
You never see bridgey complain - he gives 110% - remember him getting clatered against wycombe when he scored in the cup last year - i love that about him. A professional in a sport where that seems to be getting rarer.
Rant over.
‘I’ve always resented having a few extra inches that don’t get used.’
Ah Mark, you truly are Chelsea Blog’s answer to Frankie Howerd…
Glad I didn’t watch this. We always seem to stutter round this time of the year (I remember trepidation about current form before going into both previous Carling Cup finals).
Totally agree with all comments on Bridge. I thought Cole was over-rated when he played for Arsenal, who have a system that makes most full backs look great if they are quick, and he’s done nothing to change my mind since he got here, bar the odd big game performance against United. The other Cole has been pretty good in some games (especially both CC semis), but Malouda continues to disappoint.
But regarding the formation, Chelsea simply don’t have the players for 4-4-2. Our wingers aren’t good enough and it means leaving two of our best players (from Mikel, Essien, Maka, Ballack and Lampard - even SWP given how he well has played centrally) on the bench. Our strength is our midfield and Drogba, so there’s little point pining for something that isn’t going to happen. An alternative is a forward line of Kalou, Drogba, Anelka but that could get very narrow and isn’t very hardworking.
Good – 1. 0:0 away is not a disaster considering the conditions and the location
2. Avram wore blue shirt,
3. back 5 were ok - Check to Macka, AC - rubbish
Bad - The rest but DD and JC being real bad. Hope we could not play any worst than that, so should be ok at the Bridge
Not great, but still reasonably confident that we’ll progress (provided that form improves somewhat). I was at least part jesting about 3 at the back when I mentioned it yesterday, but Olympiakos showed so little endeavour it wouldn’t actually have been such a bad idea. Needed something that Grant frankly didn’t offer.
Selection wise - maybe SWP instead Malouda, Anelka instead of Drog could have been better?
Terrible Game bloody awful, and cannot beleive nobodys mentioned how bad
Malouda was, u think joe c was bad, flo hasnt got pace, cant go beyond players cant shoot and gets blown off the ball, i agree A.cole has to be our 2nd cause if bridgy had of played at least the full backs would have been threatened and some balls would have got into the box. Drogba was piss poor the reason he got so many goals last yearis because defences were worried bout sheva and felt more threatened by 2 strikers. One more point that has me worried Who have we beaten? by who, i mean a top team, nody thats who and until we do im worried bout playin someone with class, at this stage a Madrid or Barca would trample us.
Always Blue, K.T.B.F.F.H
SWP stinks on the wing and Anelka can’t play on his own in 4-3-3. There aren’t as many options as we’d like. Somebody posted this team for Sunday, and I like it.
Cech
Belletti-Carvalho-Terry-Bridge
Mikel
SWP-Lampard
Anelka-Drogba-Kalou
Lots of pace (SWP bringing that into central midfield is such a massive boon - how many other quick CMs can you think of), overlapping fullbacks, Mikel knitting it all together, Berbatov in Ricky’s pocket, Drogba bullying Woodgate. Bridge and Belletti would have to get forward to compensate for the central strikers, but it’s just about the most attacking line-up we can realistically field.
Malouda seems hell bent on proving my original thoughts about him. He’s so poor I don’t think he warrants another season to prove himself.
I think Drogs and Anelka should play on Sunday, unless Drogs is unfit in which case I’dd go for Sheva or Kalou. I think Peter’s choice might at least entertain us because whatever else entertainment from Chelsea has been in short supply lately.
As for Red Scouse FC…how do they do it? it seems all of Europes top teams fall into some sort of catatonic stupor the minute they go to Anfield..including us. If they get through I hope that just for once they get the Gooners or the Mancs.
Liverpool are a different team in Europe, partly because it’s usually their last chance to avoid complete embarrassment for another inept domestic season, partly because of their history (note this Jose Musumba), which gives players and supporters a massive lift and can bamboozle the opposition. Benitez’s tactics are more suited for Europe, and crucially it means he won’t rest their only two decent players - Torres and Gerrard. They also seem to get a healthy dose of good fortune, which never goes amiss.
I’m still not sure it makes up for their domestic failures, but it makes Rafa quite marketable to a European market.
Rafa’s a shrewd European coach - his tinkering and tactical faffing doesn’t suit the hurly-burly of the Premiership but comes up trumps in Europe. Can’t believe Materazzi’s sending off though - ridiculous. Had Inter kept it to one they had a chance, but not now.
@ Tony - I dont think my heart could take another trip to liverpool in the CL.
I also hope we dont go to penalties with the greeks - being italian i have had too many heartaches with shoot outs and i now cant watch them - i make the tea!! Crikey when did i become so english!
We do need a clear out and i hope AG does do this in the summer - we need some good wide players but that formation for sunday would be excellent.
I dont agree with the J Cole bashing - yup he has had a few dodgy games but i love this little chap - after all he grabbed keeleys boobs and then jumped out of a window to escape - that is just brilliant - irrelevant to footy i know but it makes me laugh. Let him free his mind from the control JM put on him for so many years and we will see a playmaker that should have a brazilian passport not english.
We have to play two up top - i agree with cfc-n-me - drogs scored so many as sheva was being so closely marked. Anelka would cause the same effect.
Without it we are always waiting for a 30 yard rocket - a set piece or a moment of magic from drogs - we should be creating the magic as a team.
[...] says that Chelsea is favorite to progress after the 0-0 draw but i would like to think [...]
I know this has been brought up many times before, but it just shows how predictable and inept AG has become. He sets his stall out at the start, hoping the team selection and tactics will do the job, and if it doesn’t work he waits far too long in the game to make any changes that just might change the game in our favour.
I think most of us could see that we were pretty ineffective in the first half, defensively we were fine, but lacked cutting edge up front. Why he didn’t make substitutions at half time shows a little stubborn streak he has by not wanting to copy JM too much in his approach to changes. He should have brought on Anelka and Kalou a lot sooner for Maloda/Cole to give them the chance to make a difference, but on saying that the rest of the midfield didn’t exactly provide the ammunition to help out either.
Also a point on Liverpool as well, they may have the luck on occasions in the CL and perhaps Rafa prefers the competition, but there’s no doubting their players seem to raise their game as well and obviously prefer to play in it. I still think that Inter will get the job done by scoring two in their home leg, and if there’s any justice beat the bastards on penalties after extra time!
Ok so he wears naff suits but was there any need for this?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7254547.stm
Yeah, can’t help feeling it’s one of our far right lot. Scum.
Not looking forward to the atmosphere on Sunday.
’tis a bit much. One hopes that the idiot in question is caught - lunatic.
Malouda was horrible, no spirit at all…he should not be played unless we have no options.
AG needs to be more proactive…this game was there for the winning, and he failed to capitalise on it…what happens if we see a different and more aggressive olympiacos team @ the bridge? undue pressure! We should have killed the tie while they were playing under ‘home-pressure’…
I dont have much problems with the team selection, i only expected AG to read the pulse of the game better and take the initiative in terms of prompt and effective substitution…I believe SWP would have flourished in this game instead of Molouda…Lets just hope our inertia does not come back to haunt us…
Always Blue!
‘i only expected AG to read the pulse of the game better and take the initiative in terms of prompt and effective substitution’
What on earth led you to believe he was capable of this?
@peter- “Not looking forward to the atmosphere on Sunday.”
If the players feel the same way we are doomed Sunday. But I think it will be different game and some boys will try to impress, so please no “doom and glum” atmosphere.
@Mark - Life treats against AG?? This is SAD! There some lunatics out there!
Jiko, I was referring to the anti-semitism and threat of violence that will be hanging in the air.
hope will not afect Sunday atmosphere Peter, although that may have been the purpouse of it
> Peter
There are times when Managers retain some players on the field believing that they would still produce that ‘moment of brilliance’…(remember Malouda’s role in our counter attack goal against portsmouth)?…possible that AG was expecting something akin to that…Just that from my perspective, i felt it was not his game and given that we had options on the bench, SWP might have performed better!
“Grant was employed to echo Ruud Gullit by introducing sexy football, but this performance was about as attractive as one of his ill-fitting tracksuits.”
I am not sure I can add anything to the above.
Are. you. havin’. a. laff?
An absolute snoreathon. I can understand resting Lampard and Terry, but I really believe Anelka should’ve started; as soon as he came on, he gave Chelsea a lot of bite.
I don’t consider it a good result either; this time last year we took on Porto and at least the 1-1 result meant that we had an away goal.
Gaaaaar. Olympiakos was there for the taking!
Was reading the dodgy package story - though wonder what mrs grant looks like - why does she let her man out in these clothes - i mean come on - its no longer considered feminine for a man to take a pride in his appearance is it.
then i read this and it all kind of fell into place
http://celebrityinsider-photos.....urine.html
C’mon guys what is the Grant appearance and believes top do with the football matters?
I think you should give him a brake. How some people could hate somebody they never met so much is beyond me. Anyone who is JM fun, let them be…he has his own website, where they can admire him. But whoever is a Chelsea fun, please be so, be behind the team. Otherwise what is the point?
Most of us don’t hate Grant Jiko - we simply believe that on his salary, he should be able to afford a trip to a decent tailor once in a while. And possibly the odd UEFA coaching course, but that’s can of worms best left for the time being…!
Come on JD I bet your fingerprints will be found all over that package ;-)
hate and respect are very different Jiko.
Also a bit of facial surgery wouldn’t go amiss
Can`t think of a reason why the boys played badly as a whole really…erm…I think i`ll BLAME THE WEATHER!!! As i said last night, thought Belletti had a good game, as did Riccy and Alex..rest were crap. Olympiacos still have to come round to our place in a couple of weeks though, we`ll just finish `em off there!!!
Regarding the scum, they weren`t THAT fantastic, it took them right up until the last five minutes to score. My Pa watched that game and said he thought Liverpool struggled, especially in the first half…
Anyways, we are all wasting our time thinking of winning the CL AND Prem..Man-ure are gonna win everything ain`t they? At least that`s what Lord McFergie would have everyone believe. And everyone knows what he says MUST be right, yeah?! I mean..he`s even managed to brainwash Capello into saying they are the best team in England/have the best players. Not that I think it would take much to brainwash Capello, looking at him…
Jiko, i would take the clothes/appearance stuff with a pinch of salt, mate. which is how most of take grant’s managerial credentials…
LOL @ Peter
Lolly - i blame Frank - he comes into the team - he goes out of the team - he is unsettling them!!
LOL
;)
@ MUNKEYFEET
I don`t know…just as you and i were becoming friends…
PERSONALLY, i think they woke up a bit when Superfrank, Nicky and Kalou came on!!
Avram Grant’s 4-3-3 is really a 4-5-1 because of the wingers’ defensive responsibilities.
At least Wayne Bridge runs outside of people and is offensive.
Every time Ashley Cole gets the ball out wide he holds it and tries to cut inside. He has no confidence dribbling down the sideline. I don’t know if he can beat anyone because he never tries.
Makelele was our creative midfielder today in Lampard’s absence. But we need Lampard to make those long passes to which he is so adept.
Makelele can’t pass. He can defend extremely well with his positioning, awareness, and tackling, but he can’t pass.
just imagine if kalou had scored at 92nd minute, from anelka’s cross - we’d all be saying that AG is a tactical genious…but he had to poke the ball to GK’s lap. prick.
> Biggs
SWP does same if not worse at times…would u call him a prick too?
> Lollipop & Crjen Robben…
Think Makelele had a good game…our problems were from Malouda who had no spirit at all in him for the game (and who i think needs to sit in the stands for a long while); Drogba who seemed not to be fully recovered and could not, and has rarely been good at returning short & precise through-passes) and JC who wasnt looking sharp in the match (perhaps he should sit on the bench for a short while to reproduce the needed hunger)
As regards JC and WB, i think both are not good enough for the team…they lack confidence and usually retreat when faced by fast wingers (even retreating into their 18yard box sometimes)…lets get players in the mould of clichy and evra (sharp, confident on the ball and attack minded)… if not for the dexterity of our central backs & Cech, we would really be exposed by our full backs
Still in for all 4, cant say the same for any other team….that in itself speaks volumes…lets start making the stats count from Sunday as that would really boost all round confidence…
Always Blue!
Bit worried about the return leg actually…….
All the papers are saying we are in the box seat to go through, but 0-0 simply means we have to win to go through. That shouldn’t be a problem, but it only takes one mistake for the ‘Bubbles’ to score and we are left needing 2 goals, and on current form we would struggle.
Still, onwards to the Cup Final!
KTBFFH
@ ALEX
Do tend to agree with you on the Malouda subject. I don`t think he pulls his weight in most games, he regularly puts in a lacklustre performance, so don`t think he particularly “couldn`t be bothered” in just last night`s game. Having said that though, he DID have 2 good shots at goal last night. I dunno, maybe he`s still finding his feet..perhaps he`ll suprise everyone and improve the more games he plays. Are we willing to give him TIME though? That`s the question. More and more Blues fans tend to be losing patience with him, me included but i suppose we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Stick with him for a while and who knows?…I was disappointed to see him last night instead of SWP i admit, just to totally contradict everything i just said! Ha! Ha!
Regarding Joe, i have to disagree i`m afraid. Under TSO he was allowed to blossom and show his true potential. I don`t think we`ve seen the best of Joey yet. Ok, he had a bad game last night but that`s the first bad game i`ve seen him play for a long, long time. He always gives 100%, whenever he plays and has great pace when he`s on the ball. He can take on anybody and usually come out on top. Agree Drogs didn`t play well, thought he looked a bit knackered, same with Essien. Maybe the Africa Cup took it`s toll a little?.. Think A.G should rest Didier on Sunday and play Anelka. You also mention Bridgey not being good enough for the squad. I disagree there as well. I think he`s a classy player but unfortunately is often overlooked a little TOO much. Ok, it`s childish (if true) of him to threaten leaving for pastures new if he`s not included on Sunday but at this moment in time i would play him instead of Ashley anyways. Think HE`S got enough on his plate at the moment without the added stress of Berba and Keane on his case as well!…Just my opinion though…
I don’t entirely agree that Olympiakos were so toothless that we can discount them scoring in the return leg. The first half near-miss header (from the near post flick-on, from the corner) was just inches away from being a goal. They can pass it around. They don’t look clever in attack but they can keep possession and they don’t counter too badly. And we’ve conceded four at home to Villa, one to Huddersfield, one to Newcastle, etc. etc. etc. — some pretty rubbish teams.
I don’t think the selection was too bad: just some key people were terrible in the attacking areas (Cole, Malouda, Ballack most surprisingly). Essien strangely anonymous, Belletti seemed reluctant to get forward, Cashley contributed nothing (I am 100% with those who think we should make Bridgey first choice and make sure he knows it). We looked much better in the last 15 minutes and that may have been partly to do with their players tiring. My MOTM would be Maka (”can’t pass”? Huh?)
But really all I care about is that we don’t have to play Liverpoo again. It was clear from the league game that they and we are utterly fed up with the sight of each other. Come on Inter, you can still do it.
Makalele was skipping past people with that double tap shuffle thing he does.
He can’t pass though that’s been evident for a long time.
BELETTI definitely one of the few players who shows regular quality ging forwad.
Joe Cole needs to sort out his set peice taking, Malouda hould be barred from taking any. On secon thoughts — he hsould be banned from the first team until he shows a bit of fight.
Where are the signs that we are becoming more of an attacking team?
Give us some signs that things are gonna change for the better…
Only a matter of time before stuff like this started. He’ll probably end up with a lot more now that the can’s been opened. No need for shit like that.
Can you believe it? Man -ure were getting shafted, then that bloody Teves git goes and scores with 3 minutes to spare… they have a habit of doing that. Really winds me up…..
That really is typical of United, always popping up and grabbing the goal that they need - yet not always deserve - it’s happened for years and it doesn’t seem to be showing any sign of letting up.
The problem with us though is that we just about do enough all the time, just look at Tuesday’s game. Even though we had a few thousand paying travelling fans heading out to Athens, the team did not at any point show any real signs of repaying them with a decent performance and more importantly a goal.
I guess that we got the result we needed on the night but surely, especially on nights in Europe on the continent the lads should at least put in a determined performance?
Agree totally. Even though it`s frustrating to settle for a draw, it wasn`t a “bad” result. We should be pleased Olymiakos didn`t score..right? Even if we aren`t pleased with a draw, it`s “tough luck” because it was plainly obvious to anyone watching that a draw was exactly the result A.G was playing for. There is always the return game at the Bridge to come though..just hope the boys put in a better performance than they did on tuesday. They were more than a match for us the other night, also very quick on the break. We`d better mark `em tight because if we allow them to get forward too often we are in big trouble..
Definitely. It was plain to see that Grant was aiming for a draw the other night - all you have to do is look at the absentees - but was that really the best way to play it? There were chances for the Greeks which, given a little more composure, they would have buried and we would have been left fighting a losing battle for the remainder of the leg. I say this because I am yet to see any point under AG where he has come up with a ‘plan B’.
I am pretty worried about the return leg myself. I cannot see us losing but a
1-1 could well be on the cards and we all know what that would spell. Just think, back when the draw was made it seemed that we were handed the easiest tie of all the British sides.