Chelsea 4 – Atlético 0: A Dagger To The Heart Times Four

By: Al | October 22nd, 2009

Britain Soccer Champions League It was expected, but it still hurt. This was the absolute best example of why we don’t have the squad to compete with the best. Not only did they win, but they embarrassed us hardcore. Even if they had won 1-0 and still had played the way that they did, the loss would have been just as bad.

Let me tell you, I have seen us get outplayed before, but never this badly. Chelsea marked the shit out of each and every one of our players, and some of their flashy football was stuff that we see from the likes of Barca. Chelsea didn’t play “boring” as they are usually accused of doing; in comparison to us, they played football from another world while we were playing with a team from earth.

From the moment that Frank Lampard scored a free kick, later ruled for offside, I knew that there was going to be trouble. It didn’t take long for Salomon Kalou to get an easy chance on goal and miss it, but they were nowhere near being finished. What I remember about that play, I can’t forget. Ballack ( I think) received a pass and let the ball go through his lefs and it perfectly sliced a good ten feet in front of our defenders and onto the feet of Nicolas Anelka, who then passed to Kalou, still about 10 feet ahead of our defenders.

We definitely had our chances, such as a Kun Aguero one-on-one in the second half, and some good shots on goal from Forlan and Maxi Rodriguez, but the rest of the match can be remembered from Chelsea pretty much bullying our team and moving that ball up the pitch. You all probably read all those quotes about Chelsea working hard on the set pieces, and they managed to get two goals in from them. They were extremely prepared, and in great shape, while Abel Resino threw an Atletico squad onto the pitch while only crossing his fingers and hoping for the best. The difference was huge.

Granted, not many teams have a chance against Chelsea, especially at Stamford Bridge, but this match can be used not only as a wake-up call, but a wake-up call from effing hell. The club should use this match as a way to compare ourselves to an actual big gun. Everything from seeing how bad the defense was, to how ineffective the midfield was, and how clumsy the attack is. One of the main problems, obviously, is the motivation. The team isn’t properly motivated and Resino’s method of telling the team to simply “try harder and never give up” isn’t enough.

The next match day, we face Chelsea again, and at home. If things improve by then, in other words, Atletico are finally winning again, they’ll have a chance to win against Chelsea and finally earn their merits into getting second place. It’s not good to hope that other teams do bad, but I don’t care, I hope that APOEL beat Porto in the next match day and that we beat Chelsea. There’s still a chance to get into the next round. Regardless of where the team ends up next, whether it’s the knockout rounds or the UEFA Cup, points are absolutely vital. There is no way that Atletico will finish this group stage with three or less points. Last season we had 12! Are we really that much worse than last season?

Oh well. Supporters can’t do anything but stand behind the team, despite the temptation to bitch about how stupid some aspects of the club are. What really boggles my mind is how people can still have confidence in the coach. We’ve had one of the worst starts of the season since like, 1994, and our president is saying bullcrap like “there is absolutely no way that we are considering finding a new manager”. That’s not confidence, that’s just plain idiocy. How does this man even have a job anymore? Yeah, he’s Spanish and has Atletico in his blood, but he flat out sucks. Sorry to say, but I actually agree with the majority on this. Our president and directors board are idiots. Bad signings, bad decision to keep the coach, and pretty much bad everything.

This weekend, we face Mallorca, and if we don’t win, it’s the apocalypse.

It really does hurt to be an Atletico fan sometimes.