I keep in mind being at The Etihad Stadium the final time Chelsea performed there on the finish of final season, and boy was that an all time low.
Metropolis have been topped champions on at the present time and had the trophy celebrations on the finish of the match, which in fact I needed to sneak away from. However this was a gutter second for the membership and the group, and regardless that there was, and nonetheless is in fact, hope for the long run, this was a tough one to absorb. Metropolis outplayed us, and we had completely nothing. The touring away followers had nothing, and we have been simply being chanted in any respect recreation by Metropolis followers.
Saturday is likely to be totally different although, proper? A season on, a brand new supervisor, and a rejuvenated set of gamers who seemingly now appear to be they’re doing all they’ll to try to show a degree? I do assume we’re in a barely higher place than we have been final season, regardless that there has additionally been loads of turmoil and doom and gloom this season as effectively. The final two video games will maybe give us the hope we’d like going into this one, however let’s see.
As I’ve mentioned the final two weeks, there isn’t any manner I get carried away by the final two victories, not an opportunity. I’ve been there many instances earlier than to only be left upset and offended once more, so I’m retaining my expectations very low, particularly going to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis!
We performed VERY effectively towards Aston Villa, and pretty good within the second half towards Crystal Palace. However the two video games earlier than Villa, and the primary half towards Palace, we have been abysmal. My reminiscence serves me, and I believe that’s why for me personally, I’ve to maintain my optimism low for now. There’s additionally been some good and constructive indicators although, so there may be some hope nonetheless.
Metropolis might solely be lacking Jack Grealish after he was compelled off throughout their Champions League win away at FC Copenhagen, a recreation during which Bernardo Silva was additionally changed. Josko Gvardiol may even miss round two weeks of motion.
Chelsea, in the meantime, will asses Thiago Silva after the groin damage he sustained towards Crystal Palace on Monday night. Benoit Badiashile may even miss round a month of motion with an analogous drawback.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Robert Sanchez again in partial coaching), Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Lesley Ugochukwu are long-term absentees.
We must wait to listen to on remaining confirmations from Mauricio Pochettino in Friday’s press convention after some assessments and late health checks for the likes of Silva, and Malo Gusto. Silva was injured, however Gusto was fatigued, per Pochettino.
Pochettino’s lineup primarily picks itself proper now, aside from in assault, and that’s the place the gaffer has to make his largest resolution for Metropolis. I believe Noni Madueke can be dropped for Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson would possibly return to play extra centrally, so Cole Palmer can go in the appropriate half area the place he’s simplest. The remainder, with accidents in thoughts, picks itself.
It’s most likely THE hardest league fixture we will face, away at Metropolis. However nothing is not possible in soccer and as we confirmed in our final recreation towards them, we’re greater than able to going toe-to-toe. So if we take that, the momentum from our final two video games, the boldness that has constructed up, alongside the superb group spirit and togetherness we’ve proven, then something is feasible.
As we’ve all seen, video games like this could typically swimsuit this Chelsea aspect. We battle towards a low block, so it at the least is likely to be extra open in an attacking sense. However the different aspect of that’s that we additionally battle to play out towards a excessive press at instances and likewise, similar to an open recreation would possibly assist in our assault, it is going to do the other for our defence. My one concern once more is that if we’re too extremely pressed we’ll lose the ball quite a bit and setup assaults for Metropolis, and if we do the choice and go lengthy, there isn’t any focus to intention for.
It’s so vital that Enzo Fernandez stays near Moises Caicedo, particularly after we are taking part in out from the again. Full backs must be in sync when it comes to one sticking if the opposite goes. And our defenders are going to must be so switched on and be totally conscious of runs and counter assaults.
If each participant is on their recreation we will beat any group on our day. But when we’re not on our recreation and the techniques should not spot on from Mauricio Pochettino, as we’ve additionally seen, we’re prone to an actual humbling once more and getting embarrassed.
Lets hope they flip up like they did at Villa, and lets hope Metropolis have an analogous horrible recreation like Villa did on that day too!
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