CL Final 2007/8 Preview Moscow: Man Utd v Chelsea
BIG EARS
By dixon9
May 20 2008
Chelsea Football Club, often chided as having “no history” (they really mean – not as many trophies as them) by Sky educated newbies and bitter fans of the old guard of clubs, have a chance of making history tomorrow evening in Moscow. We could also be the first club to bring “Big Ears” back to London - but there is yet another matter that could be settled – an old account dating back to 1955.
53 years ago, Ted Drake led Chelsea to our first league title and it was at this time that the first European Cup was to be played during the following season. Not many know that Chelsea were the first English (and British) club to qualify for Europe’s premier competition. 
In those days of course, the FA was led by stuffed shirts and blazers (What do you mean? Was led! – Ed) and frowned severely on Johnny Foreigner interfering with “our” sport. Chelsea were “recommended” by the FA NOT to accept the invitation to play in the first European Cup. We weren’t going to incur the wrath of our country’s maximum authority so we acquiesced (Later, Manchester United to their credit, stuck two fingers up at the FA and entered the competition).
Who knows what we might or might not had achieved back then but tomorrow evening is a chance, finally, to settle an old account.
We’ve waited a long time for this yet I feel comparatively calm at the moment. Monaco and then later Liverpool (up until recently our nemesis in European football) have stood in our way – but now – finally – we have our chance!
The other day at work, I started to think about “that night coming up” and the butterflies came straight away. No doubt tomorrow late afternoon, I may have to have a few beers a bit earlier than usual to help nullify the nerves.
We are the “away” team tomorrow I understand so the bad news is that we won’t be wearing white socks – apart from that, we should be ok!
Both ourselves and Man Utd have no injuries to report – should be a good game then? Well, I’m not so sure. The pitch, despite being recently re-laid has been receiving very critical reviews and to make matters worse, storms are forecast for today in Moscow – we could be looking at a quagmire during the 2nd half.
The conditions are not conducive for passing football and I’d be really tempted to go 4-4-2 with both Anelka and Drogba up front and give old red nose a nasty surprise into the bargain! It won’t happen though – Grant will stick to his 4-3-3. I imagine something like this:
Cech
Essien Carvalho Terry A Cole
Makelele
Ballack Lampard
J Cole Drogba Malouda
We should be fitter than them and as time goes on we could capitalise – especially if it goes into extra time. I just hope we don’t do our usual, go 1 up and then sit back and invite them on - waiting to hit them on the break.
Man Utd have very few weaknesses but one of them is that they are not used to defending and being put under pressure – so please lets not let up on them if we go ahead.
We will no doubt have other opportunities in the Champions League in the future if we come back empty handed tomorrow night but so what? Let’s take this opportunity NOW!
Come on Chelsea! Carpe Diem! SIEZE THE DAY!
kick-off is 10.45pm local time and neither team is training at that time or thereabouts.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
I was gonna do one similar recalling the 1955 Championship side and there exclusion from the European Cup LOL LOL
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Let´s hope that we get so drunk from celebrating it takes at least 3 days or so for it to go up!
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.