Originally Posted by IBK
Nasty spoiling pricks that they were, Porto played very well and largely neutralised us in both legs. I think we have to admit that we were made to be sub par in terms of our recent performances, and this had the feel of a big boys' game. I think that it showed that CL football at the sharp end is a different animal to the EPL, for all that some people assumed that a team third in the Primeira Liga (albeit that league's form team) would be equivalent to one in the lower reaches of a superior league - especially away from home.
I think that this will be a good lesson for our largely inexperienced (in Europe) players and manager, though and what was most impressive is that we didn't falter and passed maybe Arteta's sternest test yet - with the weight of 14 years and the pressure to show that we do not bottle when the chips are down riding on this tie. The penalties were great testament to our determination and mental strength that I hope serves us well going forwards.
...and yes, Arteta has got the Raya decision right. Same goes for Havertz; and Kiwior; and Jorghino; and Trossard...there's a trend here
It’s not the same extent as it was under Wenger where we could be undone by Rory Delap, a beach towel and a long throw but when we are nullified by such tactics it’s kind of incumbent on us to find a way around it, so I think it’s a bit of a cop out to say they made us play not so well. When in fact the actual explanation is we played into their hands.
Barcelona who have been considerably weakened to the point where id be reasonably confident of getting past them over two legs, beat Porto home and away in the group stage….so presumably had more success in counteracting the dark arts.
Whether we like teams that play that way or not (and I don’t…I think Atletico who are the masters of it are a fucking disgrace) we can’t take the view that because teams shouldn’t be like that, that they won’t.
Im not saying we are making excuses either, Arteta to his credit seems to understand it’s fair game in a way that Wenger just wouldn’t. Nor am I saying the referees shouldn’t do more to punish time wasting, or that the home crowd should not react with vociferous displeasure at grown men throwing themselves about like cirque de soleil rejects.
Now this brings us on to the type of player we have, as I stated in my player ratings Jorginho is probably not the best player for instances such as these (it’s not to say we were wrong to start him, It didn’t do Rice any favours having him play alone there in Portugal and he looked dead on his feet in extra time last night). His ball distribution is excellent, he’s got an eye for finding a pass that is up there with players like Ozil. But when you’re dealing with a team that’s very defensively disciplined and doesn’t give you any space or room to move into…it rather negates his usefulness (not that he did anything wrong last night either I should add)
However actually if you go back a year I was one of the dissenting voices who said signing Jorginho made sense, where I’m reluctant is to keep him beyond the sticking plaster measure he was meant to be
Arteta seemingly wants to bring in a player like Zubimendi who looks like a younger version of Jorginho with a bit more dynamism. I’m not sure we necessarily need that, I think we need a bulldozer who can break up play…so I’d rather see us go for a player with premier league experience like Onana. But I suspect one way or the other, Arteta and I are never going to see eye to eye on transfers
Kiwior? The only thing I’ve ever said about him is that I don’t think he’s a natural full back, I think the fact that he’s been very useful to us has shown he’s grown as a defender with more game time.
Havertz is still in my book a luxury signing. I’ve always liked him as a player and felt that Chelsea weren’t getting the best out of him. But I thought to put in an exceptional performance like he did in a European cup final meant there had to be some talent there. But he wasn’t a priority. Neither in my view was Raya…and I don’t think he’s as effective a shot stopper as Ramsdale.
Trossard I wasn’t fond of the idea of signing but have been reasonably happy with from the outset
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