WE MARCH FORWARD

 

Image Credit- Independent 

Chelsea F.C. were facing Lille in the Champions League Round of 16. In the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea registered a comfortable 2-0 win. However since then a lot of things changed in West London. 

The Russian aggression over Ukraine resulted in the imposition of economic sanctions over Russian Businessmen all over the Western World. In one such move, the British Government froze Roman Abramovich's assets in the UK including Chelsea F.C. [The details of the move has been dealt here]  

The financial conditions of the club  because of the move are now so bad that one even did not know that how the team will even travel to France. In such a tough situation the players gave a brilliant performance.

Lille took the lead in the 38th minute of the game. However Pulisic scored an equalizer just before half time. In the second half Chelsea continued to attack and in the 71st minute of the game, Azpilicueta scored the winner. The game ended 2-1 [Aggregate 4-1] and Chelsea F.C. marched forward into the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

The Courage, The Determination which the players showed in this tough time deserves an applause not just from Chelsea fans but, from every football fan. 

VILLARREAL STUNS JUVENTUS

 

Image Credit- NDTV 

It was UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Europa League Champions Villarreal C.F. were facing Italian giants Juventus in their home ground in Turin. The first leg in Spain ended 1-1. Hence the winner of the tie was to be decided by this very game. Since Juventus were playing this game in their home ground, everyone expected an easy win for them.  

But, then happened the unexpected. Villarreal proved everyone wrong. In the 78th minute of the game Gerard Morena scored the opening goal for the visitors and the Turin crowd was in shock. The Italian side tried to make a comeback, but they failed to get past the Villarreal goalkeeper. Furthermore the visitors scored two more goals in the next 12 minutes and sealed the game.

The Italian giants have been eliminated and the underdogs are now in the quarterfinals.  

One more fairy tale has been added in the Champions League History. 

SUPER BENZEMA KNOCKS OUT PSG

 

Image Credit- The Japan Times

Real Madrid were facing Paris Saint Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League. The first leg was played in Paris in which PSG registered a 1-0 win.  Courtesy- Late strike of Kylian Mbappe. However, it is pertinent to note that even though the scorecard read 1-0, but PSG completely dominated the game. Furthermore the lead could have been 2-0, but the Madrid keeper Courtois saved Messi's penalty at a very crucial point of the game.  

The second leg was to be played in Madrid and it was a do or die game for the Los Blancos. However in the 39th minute of the game Kylian Mbappe scored and the visitors now had a lead. At the end of half-time the scorecard read (Real 0- 1 PSG).  On aggregate PSG were 2-0 ahead. It looked that the French side will make it easily into the quarterfinals. 

However then a miracle happened. Karim Benzema rose to the occasion and scored one of the greatest hat tricks of the Champions League. In the 61st minute he scored the first goal. In 76th minute he scored the equalizer and eventually in 78th minute he scored the winner. 

The impossible was done. The Comeback was Complete.  

PSG has been knocked out. The cry of Hala Madrid remains in the tournament. 

WE ARE CHELSEA

 

Image Credit- NY Post 

In May 2021, Chelsea F.C. lifted their second Champions League trophy. Post this they also clinched their maiden UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Everything seamed good as a Chelsea fan. However then happened something which turned the world of every Chelsea fan upside down.  

The Russian aggression over Ukraine has resulted in the imposition of sanctions over Russian Businessmen in the Western World. The UK Government in one such move has frozen Roman Abramovich's assets including Chelsea F.C. 

This move of the British Government has crippled the finances of Chelsea F.C. As per the report of NY Post, " Chelsea F.C. is not allowed to generate income outside of existing contracts, though it can continue to generate revenue from previously signed agreements. While season ticket holders who have already paid for their subscriptions will be permitted to attend matches, the team is not allowed to sell new tickets for future games. The Chelsea club shop, which sells official club merchandise, will have to close. The team is also restricted from signing new contracts with its existing players."

However at this point of time, the players and manager have shown their character. They are standing strong with each other. Its now time for all the Chelsea fans to extend their greatest of supports to their  club and to the players at this time of crisis. We are Chelsea F.C. 

BLUE IS THE COLOR. FOOTBALL IS THE GAME. 

References- 

1. Chelsea FC assets frozen as UK sanctions owner Roman Abramovich (nypost.com)

A TRIBUTE TO JOSE

 

Image Credit- Sky Sports 

In 2016, Manchester United appointed Jose Mourinho as their manager. In the very first season Mourinho ended up winning three trophies with the club- Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League. Even though United ended up 6th in the League, but by the virtue of winning the Europa League, United were back in the Champions League. 

In the second season United ended up second in the league and were finalists in the F.A. Cup. Their victories against Liverpool and Manchester City were some of the memorable moments of the season. However the most disappointing part was their elimination from the round of 16 of the Champions League in the hands of Sevilla.   

At the end of the season, Mourinho remarked that ending up second with the United was his best achievement as a Manager.  For this he was mocked by a lot of his critics. In December, 2018 Jose was sacked by Manchester United because of poor results. The blame of failure was put on Mourinho. 

Today its March 2022. Manchester United have been knocked out of the round of 16 of the Champions League. It is almost certain that Manchester United will end up trophy less this season. Its now 5 years since they last lifted a silverware. Managers are struggling to win a trophy with this squad.  However there was one man who lifted not one, not two, but three trophies with this very struggling squad. 

One can now realize how special Mourinho is. 

 

THANK YOU ROMAN

 

Image Credit- The Forbes 

In the year 2003, a Russian Billionaire named Roman Abramovich bought a football club based in West London named Chelsea F.C. The club had a decent record in domestic knock-out tournaments, but, they failed to win a league title in 50 years.    

However, then happened something which changed club football forever. Roman Abramovich revolutionized Chelsea F.C. He did everything to ensure that Chelsea F.C. becomes a tier- 1 club.  He bought top class players and brought in top class managers to West London. He did everything to ensure that Chelsea becomes a powerhouse. And Boy ! The players did not disappoint him and the fans. 

In the next 19 years, Chelsea F.C. went on to win every single trophy which a Football Club could have won [5 Premier League Trophies, 5 F.A. Cups, 3 League Cups, 2 Champions League Trophies, 2 Europa League Trophies, Community Shields, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup]

However, in March 2022 Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club because of the Ukraine-Russia conflict which has resulted in the imposition of sanctions over Russian businessmen in the Western World. 

Today he may not be the owner of Chelsea F.C, but Roman will always be one of us. 

Thank you Roman. Thank you for all the memories.  

LIVERPOOL LIFTS THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP

 

                                                                    Image Credit- The Guardian

Liverpool were facing Chelsea in the EFL Cup final in Wembley.  Both sides were in best of their forms and hence everyone expected an exciting contest. And Boy ! What a match it was. Even after 120 minutes of the game no side was able to score a goal. The goalkeepers of both the teams stood strong as a wall and let no ball pass by them. However, just before the penalties were about to begin, Chelsea substituted their keeper and brought in Kepa who has had a record of saving Chelsea on various occasions in the penalty shootouts. 

But, even after 5 penalty kicks, the winner of the game could not be decided.  Eventually Chelsea F.C. goalkeeper Kepa failed to score in the 11th kick of the game and Liverpool won the final on penalties 11-10.  

However it was good to see Chelsea players consoling Kepa who was all shattered after missing his penalty. Furthermore Liverpool Captain Jordan Henderson also displayed true sportsmanship when he waited for the Chelsea players and then congratulated every Chelsea player for their performance.  

After 10 long years, Liverpool were successful in lifting this trophy at Wembley. The scare of 2016 was done away with.