Round of 16 - First Legs IV
Again - Mourinho at the Dragao, Lampard off a deflection.
Porto 1 - 1 Chelsea
For me the first name on the team sheet for Porto, is a healthy Lucho Gonzalez. For others it might be winger Ricardo Quaresma (he'd be second for me). For Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira, you suspect, the first 2 players are central defenders Pepe and Bruno Alves. Throughout this season, whether in Europe or domestically, the duo at the heart of the Porto defence have been pillars at the back. Unheralded outside Portugal, and probably largely unheard of and unseen among fans of the bigger, more popular leagues, they are arguably one of Europe's premier central defensive combinations. Thanks to their efforts Porto have kept 3 clean sheets in the group stage of the Champions' League, and 10 clean sheets (in only 18 games) while conceding just 10 goals in the Campeonato.
Unfortunately, Andriy Shevchenko, seemed to have picked this game to remind everyone that he is indeed (still) a world class striker. Whereas, normally, one would expect Porto to shut up shop after Raul Meireles' opener (deliciously, deflecting off Frank Lampard of all people) and rally around their two defensive lynchpins; they were quickly pegged back by the Ukrainian striker within minutes of taking the lead, and so had to abandon those plans. Thereafter, there was a refreshing look to the game as both sides seemed intent on attacking and scoring. Chelsea were second best for large parts of this game. Michael Ballack was notably anonymous yet again, picking up a yellow card in another mediocre performance. Porto really should have made the Londoners pay for their lapses at the back (Makalele seemed to be a little off), especially once defensive talisman Terry had to go off.
If Mourinho had taught Porto how to defend their way to titles, then this return to his launching pad, was crucial in being a refresher course on how to attack. Interestingly, rather than advocating a defensive approach, Mourinho responded to the gauntlet being thrown down by Ferreira, by going on the attack himself. Predictably, Arjen Robben was thrown on once Terry had to leave and Porto had taken the lead. Fittingly, he was decisive in securing the equalizer. Rather less exciting was Robben himself going off for the dire Jon Obi Mikel within half an hour of coming on.
Porto had more chances, Chelsea counterpunched, the game ebbed and flowed as both teams seemed to enjoy the space afforded by the other. On the left Ricardo Quaresma was in imperious form, coming close to snatching back the lead twice - first off a free kick, Petr Cech needing two tries to collect, and then hitting the bar.
However, rather than going for the jugular, Porto decided to throw in the towel and opt for a more defensive approach 10 minutes into the second half with Marek Cech coming on for goalscorer Raul Meireles. This allowed Chelsea to slowly impose themselves and Frank Lampard and Drogba both had shots on target. I wonder, if you're doing well while attacking at home, why change that ? Was Ferreira afraid of conceding another goal off a counterattack ? Why not try and score one yourself - which I feel would have happened had Porto not abandoned their initial approach.
At the end a fair result, better for Chelsea in getting the away goal while not losing. Ominously, Chelsea's tacklers mostly picked up yellow cards - Essien, Makalele and Ballack.
Olimpico No Show
Roma 0 - 0 Lyon
So this was supposed to be one of the most exciting games of this round. I feel silly in making such a prediction and disappointed in it not coming true. This was supposed to be 2 attack minded teams filled with accomplished and entertaining players orchestrating brilliance in a spontaneously choreographed foot-ballet. Francesco Totti, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Rodrigo Taddei, Alessandro Mancini, Sidney Govou - more than enough firepower capable of turning a match on its head. Like a teenager's first dalliance between the bed sheets - this promised so much but delivered so little. If you told me that the Porto - Chelsea game would finish 0-0 with 11 yellow cards - I'd have believed you. Not this game though, it promised more sparks and came loaded with more firecrackers. Looking at Lyon's left side line up - Abidal, Juninho and Malouda - one can conclude that they surely are one of the best left sided teams in Europe. Meanwhile Totti is enjoying an Indian summer and is running away with the scoring title in Serie A.
Of course having the game constantly interrupted by that doyen of refereeing, Mike Riley, did not help. Still, with so many free kicks being taken, one would have expected a peach of a delivery from either Juninho or Totti. For their 16 shots on goal, only 5 were on target for Lyon and crucially, none went in. They edged the game overall and had a real period of dominance around the middle of the match but could not find a way to score. Govou and Juninho were both just off while Alexander Doni ensured Malouda's shot was caught - eventually. Other than Totti and Stefano Perrotta no one else from Roma really seemed up for the game - perhaps still suffering the hangover from the weekend defeat in Serie A. Lyon for their part were just a little jaded from their come-from-behind win over Lille in Ligue 1. As United found out - overcoming the muscular Lille is not easy task.
It's so hard to talk about a game in which the talking point was the lack of action and the flurry of cautions. One can only hope that the return leg delivers more.
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Post Script
Over all the Champions League first legs have been a downer. Five of the games yielded just four goals - a combination of caution, defensive tactics, a loss of form and a lack of fluency contributing to more busts than one would have liked. On the other hand, several away teams emerged with credit - none more so than the English duo of Manchester United an Liverpool who both recorded away wins - the latter impressively so. Valencia beat Inter at its own game and notched 2 away goals in a draw. Chelsea left Porto with a precious away goal but without their captain and defensive anchor. Arsenal, Lyon and Roma all failed to rise to the occasion; while other than David Villa's free kick and Edison Mendez's goal- there was little to write home about.
Finally, I may be wrong here, but I think Lille's Tony Sylva is the first African goalkeeper to feature in the knockout stages of the Champions' League.
The bigs boys have felt each other out - they'll be going for each others' throats next time round.
Again - Mourinho at the Dragao, Lampard off a deflection.
Porto 1 - 1 Chelsea
For me the first name on the team sheet for Porto, is a healthy Lucho Gonzalez. For others it might be winger Ricardo Quaresma (he'd be second for me). For Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira, you suspect, the first 2 players are central defenders Pepe and Bruno Alves. Throughout this season, whether in Europe or domestically, the duo at the heart of the Porto defence have been pillars at the back. Unheralded outside Portugal, and probably largely unheard of and unseen among fans of the bigger, more popular leagues, they are arguably one of Europe's premier central defensive combinations. Thanks to their efforts Porto have kept 3 clean sheets in the group stage of the Champions' League, and 10 clean sheets (in only 18 games) while conceding just 10 goals in the Campeonato.
Unfortunately, Andriy Shevchenko, seemed to have picked this game to remind everyone that he is indeed (still) a world class striker. Whereas, normally, one would expect Porto to shut up shop after Raul Meireles' opener (deliciously, deflecting off Frank Lampard of all people) and rally around their two defensive lynchpins; they were quickly pegged back by the Ukrainian striker within minutes of taking the lead, and so had to abandon those plans. Thereafter, there was a refreshing look to the game as both sides seemed intent on attacking and scoring. Chelsea were second best for large parts of this game. Michael Ballack was notably anonymous yet again, picking up a yellow card in another mediocre performance. Porto really should have made the Londoners pay for their lapses at the back (Makalele seemed to be a little off), especially once defensive talisman Terry had to go off.
If Mourinho had taught Porto how to defend their way to titles, then this return to his launching pad, was crucial in being a refresher course on how to attack. Interestingly, rather than advocating a defensive approach, Mourinho responded to the gauntlet being thrown down by Ferreira, by going on the attack himself. Predictably, Arjen Robben was thrown on once Terry had to leave and Porto had taken the lead. Fittingly, he was decisive in securing the equalizer. Rather less exciting was Robben himself going off for the dire Jon Obi Mikel within half an hour of coming on.
Porto had more chances, Chelsea counterpunched, the game ebbed and flowed as both teams seemed to enjoy the space afforded by the other. On the left Ricardo Quaresma was in imperious form, coming close to snatching back the lead twice - first off a free kick, Petr Cech needing two tries to collect, and then hitting the bar.
However, rather than going for the jugular, Porto decided to throw in the towel and opt for a more defensive approach 10 minutes into the second half with Marek Cech coming on for goalscorer Raul Meireles. This allowed Chelsea to slowly impose themselves and Frank Lampard and Drogba both had shots on target. I wonder, if you're doing well while attacking at home, why change that ? Was Ferreira afraid of conceding another goal off a counterattack ? Why not try and score one yourself - which I feel would have happened had Porto not abandoned their initial approach.
At the end a fair result, better for Chelsea in getting the away goal while not losing. Ominously, Chelsea's tacklers mostly picked up yellow cards - Essien, Makalele and Ballack.
Olimpico No Show
Roma 0 - 0 Lyon
So this was supposed to be one of the most exciting games of this round. I feel silly in making such a prediction and disappointed in it not coming true. This was supposed to be 2 attack minded teams filled with accomplished and entertaining players orchestrating brilliance in a spontaneously choreographed foot-ballet. Francesco Totti, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Rodrigo Taddei, Alessandro Mancini, Sidney Govou - more than enough firepower capable of turning a match on its head. Like a teenager's first dalliance between the bed sheets - this promised so much but delivered so little. If you told me that the Porto - Chelsea game would finish 0-0 with 11 yellow cards - I'd have believed you. Not this game though, it promised more sparks and came loaded with more firecrackers. Looking at Lyon's left side line up - Abidal, Juninho and Malouda - one can conclude that they surely are one of the best left sided teams in Europe. Meanwhile Totti is enjoying an Indian summer and is running away with the scoring title in Serie A.
Of course having the game constantly interrupted by that doyen of refereeing, Mike Riley, did not help. Still, with so many free kicks being taken, one would have expected a peach of a delivery from either Juninho or Totti. For their 16 shots on goal, only 5 were on target for Lyon and crucially, none went in. They edged the game overall and had a real period of dominance around the middle of the match but could not find a way to score. Govou and Juninho were both just off while Alexander Doni ensured Malouda's shot was caught - eventually. Other than Totti and Stefano Perrotta no one else from Roma really seemed up for the game - perhaps still suffering the hangover from the weekend defeat in Serie A. Lyon for their part were just a little jaded from their come-from-behind win over Lille in Ligue 1. As United found out - overcoming the muscular Lille is not easy task.
It's so hard to talk about a game in which the talking point was the lack of action and the flurry of cautions. One can only hope that the return leg delivers more.
-------------
Post Script
Over all the Champions League first legs have been a downer. Five of the games yielded just four goals - a combination of caution, defensive tactics, a loss of form and a lack of fluency contributing to more busts than one would have liked. On the other hand, several away teams emerged with credit - none more so than the English duo of Manchester United an Liverpool who both recorded away wins - the latter impressively so. Valencia beat Inter at its own game and notched 2 away goals in a draw. Chelsea left Porto with a precious away goal but without their captain and defensive anchor. Arsenal, Lyon and Roma all failed to rise to the occasion; while other than David Villa's free kick and Edison Mendez's goal- there was little to write home about.
Finally, I may be wrong here, but I think Lille's Tony Sylva is the first African goalkeeper to feature in the knockout stages of the Champions' League.
The bigs boys have felt each other out - they'll be going for each others' throats next time round.
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