Thoughts And Review On Inter Milan Defeat Of Chelsea
So in the end we were out-Chelsea-ed by Mourinho as our aging team proved to be out thought by a faster and equally tough Inter. At times during the game it looked like we were playing ourselves although I must admit Inter's attacking part of the team does look more dynamic and better than our battering ram of Drogba. No doubting the quality of Didier but sometimes we do look too one-dimensional going forward and short of options while hoping that he can come up with some magic in every game. That just doesn't happen even with Messi and Ronaldo, so we really need to expand our lineup upfront. On the other hand, still some worries over the form of our defence. John Terry still looks shaky despite claims that the John Terry scandal is all over. The two goals we conceded showed our lack of pace and organisation again. Some thoughts from Lampard after the game also came up:
Frank Lampard is convinced his club continue to have it all to do in the second leg but feels their old gaffer Jose Mourinho set his team a tough assignment after the Italian club's success.
"There's still the game in London to go. On the balance of play, possession, shots on target, I thought we were the stronger team, but we knew how Inter were going to play - they do like to soak up pressure and that's what they did," Lampard told ITV.
"(Mourinho's) very clever in the way he plays. They came to wait for us, we gave away the goal, came back, then let another in, but we've got the away goal and that gives us a chance."
The skipper claimed he didn't see the unpleasant incident where Salomon Kalou was likely seemingly fouled in the penalty box by the Inter Milan defender, but stated:
"Kalou believes it is a penalty and, if so, it is actually a red card and the match's totally different, but you have to take it on the chin and in the return encounter maybe something goes for us.
"We've got the away goal, but obviously we've got to beat them at home so it's in the balance."
Our old gaffer Mourinho refused to rejoice either Inter Milan goal on the pitch, but maintained he was more than glad with the outcome.
"Of course I'm happy inside," he said. "I was saying a few weeks ago or few months ago when we got the draw I'm a professional and I want to win as a professional I want to win more than anybody else."
He also rejected the notion he had done anything to out strategised his ex players.
"I don't think the game was a question of tactics, I think the game was a real Champions League game, a really high-level game.
"There were no surprises for me, no surprises from Chelsea, just two teams playing with the quality they have."Chelsea can play better, Inter can play better, but this is the reality of the Champions League. Sometimes it's difficult to express your qualities. This is a knock-out so you know any mistake can cost you qualification."Inter were unlucky with the draw, Chelsea were unlucky with the draw, because I think if you look at the Champions League, this was the game with two teams with great ambitions, and one of them has to go home."
Should be an interesting return leg at the Bridge. Can't wait for Jose to return - we'll give him a rousing welcome before and after the game but during the 90 minutes I'm sure he'll enjoy the jousting between us. Knowing his ways, I think we still have a chance until the last kick of the tie! We're Chelsea afterall and know Mourinho best!
