Originally Posted by Thunderball
Well, they don't suck, they played a very good game, considering they were down 4-5 starters before the ball even dropped, and another starter within 10 minutes. Being down players like Camoranesi, Zanetti, Zebina, Legrottaglie, Sissoko and then Nedved (especially bearing in mind some of their replacements) would kill most clubs. Their lousy display at Stanford Bridge in the first round was decisive though. They had practically no chance going in. It also forced them into playing a formation they weren't comfortable with, and without their best two midfielders (Sissoko and Zanetti), it left the weakened defense way too exposed.
I don't think I ever said it was an easy round. In fact, I said, if healthy, it was a 50/50 round. Juve wasn't healthy, Chelsea was. 50/50 becomes 70/30 Chelsea, and even then, 3-2 aggregate is respectable, especially seeing how Real gave up.
They are not at the level of Chelsea yet. They are about 2 starters and 1 coach short, on top of being healthy. Salihamidizic instead of Giovinco? Ranieri is an idiot. He's a proven loser everywhere he's been.
Chiellini had a rough night, but on no planet was that even a yellow card. He contacted the balll first, even the commentators were shocked. Chiellini was under a lot of pressure compensating for the weakness of his other defenders, seeing as ideally, none of Grygera, Mellberg or Molinaro (though he is improving) are starters.
Conversely, that moron Salihamidzic should probably have been ejected for his ridiculous tackles. Now that's a guy who sucks. Belletti's attempt at volleyball should have been an easy red card on top of the PK. Even Cech could have been ejected for handling the ball outside the box. Chelsea was the better team, but they aren't a match for a healthy squad like Barca.
Cannavaro is done. I think if you read my previous posts, I've said he's fallen a long way from his Juve days.
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