BIG EARS IN ALL HER GLORY

By dixon9
April 13 2009

Despite having what should be a comfortable and unassailable lead the Chelsea squad appear determined not to squander a gilt-edged passport into the semi-finals of the Champions League for a third consecutive season. The unthinkable should not be allowed to happen.

"It is important that we take the momentum gained from winning at Anfield into this game and keep our level of performance up," said Hiddink.

"There is a fantastic spirit around this club at the moment - everyone believes in what we can achieve this season and it is exciting to be a part of that.  

"But we must not lose our focus for one game or one minute and that means each game is as important as the next one. We have the same aim, which is to try and win all of them."

Rafa to do the usual tomorrow?

Of course much of what transpires at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening could be pre-determined by Rafael Benitez who has previously had a habit of resting key players when he feels his side are pursuing a lost cause in one competition whilst preferring to concentrate his squad energies into the alternative piece of silverware.   

This season however, he doesn’t have the luxury of giving up on the league and saving players for “Big Ears” – this time around it’s possibly the other way round although with the Scousers next match being one whole week away he may well give it one last, hard roll of the dice.

The powerful yet hot-headed midfielder Mascherano will be back from suspension whilst Gerrard is apparently winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow.  

"Steven is getting better, he has been working with the physio and will train later today (Monday)," said Benitez.

"We will then discuss the situation with the doctors, but Steven will travel with the party to London and I will make a decision tomorrow (Tuesday).

  Chelsea players celebrate an Ivanovich goal last week at Anfield

One out - one in for Chelsea

Terry will be suspended for this 2^nd leg and it does make me smile to hear Liverpool fans quoting our captain’s absence as a reason for optimism after spending season after season slating him for lack of true ability.

Bosingwa will still be out so the “force of nature” Ivanovic should maintain his place at right-back and joined by Alex and the recently returned from injury Carvalho.

'We will miss JT but we can't change the rules, he got suspended so we have to try our best. The back four has to be compact and play as normal, as always,” said the Portuguese defender. 

'In the Champions League you have to play in a high level and get a little bit lucky to arrive in the Final and win the competition. You have to play both games in a high level.

'We are improving always, we had some problems in the previous months but I think you become stronger and now we are in good shape to win a competition for the club.' 

'We have to be aware, this competition means a lot for us so we want to go through. We have to think first of ourselves and after look for them, but if you are in good shape you can win the game and go through. 

Dodgy ref?

There is one thing that I’m not at all happy about and that is UEFA´s decision to allocate a Spanish referee for this match.  With a Spanish manager and a significant proportion of Spanish players it seems a strange decision and bear in mind that Liverpool receive hugely preferential coverage on Spanish television. 

This referee is the same one who sent off Deco at Roma for taking a free-kick early and has a reputation of getting a lot wrong with the Italy-Australia game during the World Cup being a case in point. 

Couple this with the fact that the match falls on the cusp of the Hillsborough 20^th anniversary and the media thirst for a “romantic” outcome it’s understandable that quite a few conspiracy theorists are raising their heads over the parapet.  So if we witness another “Istanbul come-back” with Gerrard doing his “dive and skid belly-down” special in the penalty area to aid another “legendary” piece of football history they certainly won’t be surprised.

 The Hillsborough tragedy unfolding

Hillsborough victims to be remembered 

Finally, a word on Hillsborough:

There will be recognition of the tragedy just before kick-off tomorrow.

Quite rightly, the 96 innocent who had arrived in good time for that fateful match and died SHOULD be remembered and respected but what grates on – not just Chelsea fans minds - but also other clubs fans minds - is the failure of even a grain of recognition of guilt from Liverpool fans AS WELL as Sheffield Police. 

It should also be noted the stark contrast of rembrances ceremonys between Hillsborough and Heysel and the 39 who died there.

 The Heysel aftermath

No luxury resting for Rafa? Chelsea v Liverpool Preview

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 13/04/2009 22:00

50 Years Over 100 Years
13/04/2009 22:00

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Since 66
13/04/2009 22:31

At least JT will be free from suspension for the semi should we get there.
Having said that both him and Carvalho WERE absent without leave for Bolton three goals on Saturday but we WILL score tomorrow night, so what am I worrying about!!!!



Liverpool fans WILL never admit even a smidgeon of guilt as for the police, well Liverpool fans WILL.......



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