The Miracle of Stamford Bridge

Manager Di Matteo embracing Drogba

Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo climbed on Drogba's neck and almost decapitated Fernando Torres' in celebration of Chelsea's Champions League momentous 4-1 victory over counter-attacking Italian side Napoli. Considering the dismal season Chelsea has had, resulting in the firing of their manager Andre Villas-Boas, did anyone in the right mind really think that the Blues could overcome a 3-1 deficit to advance to the quarter finals? If you said yes, you must be a die hard Chelsea supporter. It was a beautiful night in London as the home side and their enthusiastic fans were hoping and cheering loud for a Miracle at Stamford Bridge. It was a miracle indeed as the home side fought hard and played with the same passion we were accustomed in seeing during the days of Jose Mourinho. The team might have changed a little, but the main cast of characters were very much the same. Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard scored goals respectively. This is the heart and soul of Chelsea Football Club. These are the timeless faces that didn't get the proper respect from the recently fired young manager AVB.

Drogba's suberb opening header

Captain John Terry

Frank Lampard

Unsung hero Branislav Ivanovic

What we saw in full display at the world stage was something that the young manager apparently failed to see and it is something that Di Matteo immediately changed. But it makes me wonder if it was by choice or by accident. Raul Meireles was suspended for this game. Had he not been, would Di Matteo have started Meireles in place of Lampard, Essien or Ramires? That is the most interesting question and in my opinion a very much different outcome. What the outcome and the game taught Di Matteo is that nobody in the entire Chelsea roster knows what it takes or how to perform in pressure situations than the three amigos.  How about the unsung hero himself, Branislav Ivanovic?  His game winning goal was the icing on the cake for the entire Chelsea defense who have been under tremendous amount of scrutiny this season.

Napoli surprisingly made a significant mistake by playing their usual 3-4-3 formation having to defend a 3-1 aggregate lead. Maybe a 4-5-1 was more suitable if they hope to walk away with a tie. I think that Di Matteo saw something over the weekend that resulted in two goals and a penalty by way of crosses.With the exception of two distinctive plays Napoli didn't really pose much of a threat to Chelsea's defense all night long. The first play was a near shot by Hamsik who nearly scored if wasn't for the long legs of Peter Cech who was diving to the opposite side and managed to get a foot on it thus deflecting it away from danger. The other was a streaking shot by Lavezzi left free from a counter by Chelsea's defense and superbly saved by Cech. Besides that, everything was on Chelsea not to screw up and play the brand of football that we know they're capable of and highly invested by a trigger happy owner Roman Abramovich. This brings me to my next point: when are we going to see Abramovich jump in joy whenever Chelsea wins important games? I have never seen an owner with a poker face as that of the Russian billionaire. Nobody questions his passion and commitment to Chelsea and its fans, but a little excitement from the owner would be nice once in a while. Is it me or does Abramovich look like actor Karel Roden? It's frighteningly similar.

Actor Karel Roden

Roman Abramovich

What does this victory mean to Chelsea's season? Will this victory give their trouble season the necessary lift to finish strong and secure a Champions League place for next season or is this a one time victory that will end with a tie or loss against their next opponent (Leicester City)?  The answer lies with the three amigos. They alone determine the outcome of Chelsea's season finale. The fans expect a repeat performance every time the take to the pitch. They want the swagger back and they want the fear in the eyes of opponents who dare to stand in Chelsea's path. Here are the major opponents awaiting the Blues as they attempt to save their dismal season: Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Is Ryan Giggs headed to MLS?

Ryan Giggs rumored to come to MLS

The rumors have been floating all over the MLS community. The legendary Manchester United forward has been linked to a move to DC United for a significant fee. According to our sources the offer includes part ownership of the franchise. This will most certainly be an interesting development as we await further information. Stay tuned for more updates.

The right Manager for Chelsea

An unhappy Abramovich makes for
a short managerial season.

Since the departure of Jose "The Special One" Mourinho, Chelsea has had difficulties finding the next big name manager. Six managers have now come and gone. Under Roman Abramovich era Chelsea has hired three Italian managers and two Portuguese managers. The most successful one being Jose Mourinho with five trophies in three seasons. Where does Chelsea turn to now? Well, when your're dealing with a demanding owner as Abramovich who is keen on instant results, whomever the manager is it's a very little wiggle room for imperfections. With the kinds of resources the owner provides, he's entitled to see immediate results.


        Well here are the big names rumored for the big job:

Pep Guardiola is a very good fit for Chelsea

Pep Guardiola who has been having issues as of late with Barcelona management and is looking for an exit strategy. Chelsea would definitely be a good fit. I'm sure Abramovich would be excited to see the Barca brand of soccer played in the Barclay's Premier League.



Fabio Capello, who recently ended his reign as England's manager, would sure be intrigued to say the least about the Chelsea job. He has the resume that Abramovich is looking for, but this would be the fourth Italian manager under his ownership. Capello brings a certain level of discipline and immediate respect to the dressing room.

Captain John Terry possible reunion with Fabio Capello.
At Chelsea there is no doubt who the captain is.

Rafa Benitez would be the least likely to fit the owners demanding ways. Benitez didn't have great luck replacing Mourinho at Inter Milan with another flamboyant owner in Massimo Moratti.

Mourinho might wanna block Benitez' chances at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho! Yes The Special One could be headed back to Chelsea. It has been widely rumored that the two had a secret meeting in which they had mutual agreement that Mourinho would be given full control of football operations at Chelsea. That's a dream opportunity for Mourinho who detests working under general managers. In order to return Mourinho must give up his ambitious ways of trying to be the winningest manager to have managed and won in all major leagues. There's nothing wrong with excelling in one league like the great Sir Alex Ferguson. He should build a dynasty at Chelsea FC. Will it ever happen? Time will most certainly tell us all soon.

Together Again?

Messi the best ever in mediocre defenses.

Messi scores the first of what would be five goals while
Bayern Leverkusen keeper helplessly looks on.

Time has most certainly changed. The game is being played differently. Lionel Messi is quickly on pace to shatter every record in the history of soccer. Part of it is his talent and drive to be the best and a significant part is also the way the opposing defenses decide to play him. Let's take a quick look at yesterday's Champions League game against Bayern Leverkusen thrashing of 7-1 in which Messi scored a record breaking five goals. If you analyze how Messi was able to score, it just baffles you the inability of defenders in not being able to locate Messi at all times. Now let's give credit to Messi for scoring all five goals in a beautiful way and let's also acknowledge how ridiculous he made the Bayern Leverkusen goalkeeper look. But what amazed me was how wide open Messi was collecting passes that resulted in him scoring all those goals. Barca's game is all based on winning the battle of ball possession (77% against Bayern Leverkusen) with quick passes designed to put defenses at great difficulties. It's all pass and move and defenses have trouble tracking attacking players because they don't hold possession for very long. In that kind of system you can't defend man-to-man. You have to play zone and you have to be great at it. It requires a tremendous amount of confidence and discipline to prepare against a team of Barca's caliber. How do you really practice to prepare against Barca? Every team would love to practice against a Barca-cloned team, but that's not possible. How do you defend against them? Well, first you have to establish the ball possession battle. The less Barca has the ball, you limit opportunities to create chances for them to score. Second, you got to know where Messi is at all times. If you let him wander off on his own, he will hurt you. The key is have someone always at his side no matter where he is and be physical with him. When that happens he usually plays around the midfield area to create space for himself or for his teammates. That's actually good and in the favor of defenses. You gotta make sure you keep him there. Third and most important is to not relax, be persistent and limit your mistakes. The minute teams convince themselves that they have him under control they start to relax. Case in point Real Madrid.  There's a reason why Messi has only scored one goal against an Italian club. That goal came by way of a penalty kick against AC Milan at San Siro earlier this season in group stages. Against Inter Milan in the 2010 Champions League final he was held in check for the entire game. He didn't touch the ball much because Mourinho's side played very aggressive and discipline defense by shutting down the 3/4 area of the pitch. Mourinho had success the same way at Chelsea. At Real Madrid he doesn't have the luxury of defensive players he had in his two previous clubs and it's near impossible to defend Messi solely with hit-men Pepe or Sergio Ramos. Sooner or later someone is bound to be sent off. Messi is a great player, but let's not be so quick to crown him the best of all time. Instead let's hope opposing defenses start playing with more discipline than shown thus far.

Laurent Koscielny rises highest to head home Arsenal first goal

Champions League action today featured the return leg of Arsenal versus AC Milan at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal started out right out the gate on a mission to what seemed to be a remarkable comeback with a 3-0 lead at halftime. The only other famous comeback that comes to mind is by another English team: Liverpool's "Miracle of Istanbul" performance was the most exciting Champions League final to date.

Van Persie's beautiful technique capitalizes on the penalty right before halftime

The second half had AC Milan in control that resulted in very little opportunities for Arsenal. In true Gunners fashion they sure have a way of falling short time and time again. Today's game might not have had the same meaning and flare as the "Miracle of Istanbul", not being a final and all, but it sure had Gunners as well as AC Milan fans on edge. Can the embattled Chelsea, with Interim Manager Di Matteo, accomplish the impossible next week in the return leg against Napoli at Stamford Bridge? We sure are looking forward to find out.

Rosicky dejected after the tough loss and yet another exit from Champions  League