Champions League Final | Post-Match Thread

[Bill]

Hey there guys, I haven't checked in on you in a long while - maybe because this season has been quite bleak for us.

First of all congrats on your PL title, it all builds to the glory of the club and it's not something that can ever get erased by any following defeat.
And then, welcome to the familiar (for me) pain of losing a CL final lol. In the last decade us Juve fans almost became sick of it and of the final itself, but I think the latest few miserable stints reminded us how valuable it actually is to show that you're of 1 of the 2 strongest clubs in Europe.

I remember all the jeers we always got from other Serie A clubs after yet another final lost; I remember how we always tried to make them see that if we had lost a final it was just because, unlike them, we had reached it.

Does it hurt? Yes, it does. Have you got the CL winner's trophy? No, you haven't. But you have something, even if most people can't and won't see it: you can get angry for having fought and lost the highest-level battle in the footballing world.

I won't go into the details of the game because in the end yes it's usually the team that plays better that wins the final, but on the other hand there's also a lot of chance involved. Just wanted to cheer you up a bit for having reached the rooftop of Europe.

hi.

 

[BluechesterCity]

Would Pep have dropped busquets for the champions league final and moved iniesta into holding midfield because he was scared of Carrick? I think we all know the answer to that.

Damn, when you put it like that!!

 

[Keeper!]

Thought I'd feel better a good night's kip (which I didn't get). I don't, I feel worse,much worse. In the aftermath of the game last night, I just felt numb. But right now, I'm devastated, and angry. And in a rotten mood. I wouldn't be nice to be around today. We threw it away. We're a better team than Chelsea; the league table doesn't lie. But they totally owned us last night. Why, Pep? Why did you do it? As the old saying goes; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Barring the odd hiccup (with mainly weakened teams), we flew through the last 60% of the season. And he goes and changes it for the biggest game of the season. I love the guy, he's the best manager in the world, and we're blessed to have him. But nonsense like last night doesn't half grate on me. And where he got the "we were brilliant in the second half" from escapes me. We huffed and puffed, without ever looking like we were going to score. Chelsea could (should?) have won by 3 or 4, if we're being honest.

Completely agree.

Second half was a repeat of the first, we never looked like scoring, never!

To keep Gundo as DM at the start of the second half was incredible, already booked and Chelsea had him spinning like a top, some refs could have given him a red.

No changes out wide, James had Sterling in his pocket, why not swop wide players over, put Foden there, just try something different, take a risk....just nothing,

Comfortably numb!

 

[Blueknows]

But it was broken! This team lost to Chelsea twice playing the way we usually do. By the same token, doing what you’ve always done and expecting a different outcome is the definition of madness!

We.made 9 and 7 changes in them 2 games, we all know what are best side is yet Pep decided to tinker again

 

[LesBleuMiserable]

It was difficult being in Earls Court from half time onwards.

 

[Shaelumstash]

Still feeling pretty low this morning following last nights result but disappointed to see some of the comments on here regarding Pep and the comments around overthinking etc... The way I see it is that he simply tried to change things slightly to get a different result against a team that has beaten us twice recently playing the way people say he should have played. Exactly the same thing as v Lyon last year when we lost a game with a team he changed slightly to try and prevent the same result that occurred at home in the group stages to the same team. I have no problem with him trying to affect change, even if it is in arguably the biggest game of the season for this team. Didn’t someone once say that the definition of madness is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result?

In what way did we play “the way we people say he should have played” in the other two games against Chelsea? Lol

He made 8 changes from our usual team in both games and played completely different shapes.

In fact, there was a fair few comments suggesting he played novelty teams to throw them off the scent for when he played the proper team in the final.

Pep’s the best manager in the world, but he’s responsible for the loss yesterday, make no mistake about that.

 

[Keeper!]

I think Kante is 30 he's no spring chicken either.

Love Fernandinho me will be a sad day when he goes.

I think last night could well be the end as a player, we will see.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Plenty will.

Pep did, thought we were brilliant

 

[IcriedwhenTueartleft]

We have Fernandinho

...who Pep doesn’t think is good enough to start a CL Final

 

[BluechesterCity]

What were those assistants doing to let Pep go through with that idea last night? Are they just yes men?

 

[Fordyboy46]

Plenty will.

Pep did, thought we were brilliant

 

[Keeper!]

Hey there guys, I haven't checked in on you in a long while - maybe because this season has been quite bleak for us.

First of all congrats on your PL title, it all builds to the glory of the club and it's not something that can ever get erased by any following defeat.
And then, welcome to the familiar (for me) pain of losing a CL final lol. In the last decade us Juve fans almost became sick of it and of the final itself, but I think the latest few miserable stints reminded us how valuable it actually is to show that you're of 1 of the 2 strongest clubs in Europe.

I remember all the jeers we always got from other Serie A clubs after yet another final lost; I remember how we always tried to make them see that if we had lost a final it was just because, unlike them, we had reached it.

Does it hurt? Yes, it does. Have you got the CL winner's trophy? No, you haven't. But you have something, even if most people can't and won't see it: you can get angry for having fought and lost the highest-level battle in the footballing world.

I won't go into the details of the game because in the end yes it's usually the team that plays better that wins the final, but on the other hand there's also a lot of chance involved. Just wanted to cheer you up a bit for having reached the rooftop of Europe.

Have UEFA banned you yet? If not , why not?

 

[Silva top]

I am very, very disappointed at the result. Only natural I suppose. Chelsea were by far the better team. Their manager and players know just how to win against City who change the team more than any other. The trip by City to Porto was very well thought through and executed by a team of busy, exited and helpful people who acted in a totally professional manner even though the big majority were volunteers who presumably got paid but who put their heart and soul into making a dream into a reality for thousands of us. They turned up in every way possible. It is a pity that Pep and the team chose not to turn up. A lot of time, stress, worry and money was put in by every fan who like me was lucky to go to the match and not many of the players put in anything like a shift. I suppose Zinchenko, Ferdandhino, Ederson and Dias should not be within this group, but they all should be ashamed of themselves. And as for Pep............ the ultimate annoying sight was that when De Bruyne was taken out (off), the Captain’s arm band was given to ???? STERLING.

It will take some time to get over this disappointment but it’s only a game which, for me, will fade into history. But the players and manager will have to look at themselves for a lot longer . To be fair, Chelsea are Chelsea and with the new manager you know what you will get, but this lot lost last week to Aston Villa. They did not have to play well to beat City yesterday ( for the third time in a row) . Ah well , as they say, it’s only a game, but in future I will have to weigh up whether it will be worth the time, stress, money and effort to attend similar matches. The fans around me tried to lift the team but had little encouragement from the players. The EDS, under 18s or women’s team would have put in more soul and effort into Yesterday .

I believe that the above is an accurate take on the occasion (certainly from my point of view). If it had been a classic performance with us ending up on the losing side then I would have been disappointed but not annoyed. The sheik will have every reason to be angry.

 

[Kippax77]

Tuchel made Chelsea watch Leicester lift the FA Cup too hurt them and stir them on while we was resting players and going through the motions in the league.
This was the difference last night.
They were hurting and wanted it so bad.
We wanted it but didn't look as determined as Chelsea did.
The 2 recent loses to them were meant to mean fuck all cos we were going to beat them in the big one.
3 recent loses to them now looks terrible.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Pep got it seriously wrong, once again. It would be nice to hear him admit that.

I think we all know Pep is genius but he is also a flawed one. Last night was a tactical defeat. I think Pep may have been worried by Fern's legs over 90 minutes against Mason Mount and perhaps also by Rodri's lack of pace for the same reasons. But it seemed crazy to change our winning formula.
I watched the match in Manchester in a pub and everyone was worried as soon as the team was announced. Some of the optimists felt Pep was probably trying to blow Chelsea away by bombarding them in the first 20 minutes but it was a high-risk strategy. We were wide open through the middle and that played into Chelsea's hands. They could not score that goal with Fern or Rodri on the pitch and they didn't create that much overall. The most painful thing is that it was self inflicted.

 

[Luke The Blue]

...who Pep doesn’t think is good enough to start a CL Final

Can't get over it mate he's so fucking good. When people talk about world class footballers this guys name should get brought up more.

 

[smallsteve]

Reece James is a top class player, but why did Pep not change things?

Go and put Foden or Mahrez against him, Raheem down the middle, just shake things up and give it a go.

Similar situation when Sterling is up against Wan-Bissaka. He will half and puff, but get done every time trying to prove that he can actually get past!

 

[Zinchilla]

Sterling

Its the fact that a proper DM was sacrificed to play Sterling that is really sticks in the craw.

Know what you mean but it wasn’t sacrificed for Sterling to play, but for 6 attacking mids to play, but yes because of who we have, Sterling was the natural player to make way for fern at HT

 

[Luke The Blue]

I am very, very disappointed at the result. Only natural I suppose. Chelsea were by far the better team. Their manager and players know just how to win against City who change the team more than any other. The trip by City to Porto was very well thought through and executed by a team of busy, exited and helpful people who acted in a totally professional manner even though the big majority were volunteers who presumably got paid but who put their heart and soul into making a dream into a reality for thousands of us. They turned up in every way possible. It is a pity that Pep and the team chose not to turn up. A lot of time, stress, worry and money was put in by every fan who like me was lucky to go to the match and not many of the players put in anything like a shift. I suppose Zinchenko, Ferdandhino, Ederson and Dias should not be within this group, but they all should be ashamed of themselves. And as for Pep............ the ultimate annoying sight was that when De Bruyne was taken out (off), the Captain’s arm band was given to ???? STERLING.

It will take some time to get over this disappointment but it’s only a game which, for me, will fade into history. But the players and manager will have to look at themselves for a lot longer . To be fair, Chelsea are Chelsea and with the new manager you know what you will get, but this lot lost last week to Aston Villa. They did not have to play well to beat City yesterday ( for the third time in a row) . Ah well , as they say, it’s only a game, but in future I will have to weigh up whether it will be worth the time, stress, money and effort to attend similar matches. The fans around me tried to lift the team but had little encouragement from the players. The EDS, under 18s or women’s team would have put in more soul and effort into Yesterday .

I believe that the above is an accurate take on the occasion (certainly from my point of view). If it had been a classic performance with us ending up on the losing side then I would have been disappointed but not annoyed. The sheik will have every reason to be angry.

True can take losing but not throwing it away.

 

[Marvin]

Tuchel made Chelsea watch Leicester lift the FA Cup too hurt them and stir them on while we was resting players and going through the motions in the league.
This was the difference last night.
They were hurting and wanted it so bad.
We wanted it but didn't look as determined as Chelsea did.
The 2 recent loses to them were meant to mean fuck all cos we were going to beat them in the big one.
3 recent loses to them now looks terrible.

We'll put it right next season. Chelsea played a magnificent counter-attacking game but you can't win titles playing like that.