Saturday, May 12, 2012

Di Matteo's strategic objectives

We tend to forget what the role of a caretaker coach is which generally entails performing a prescribed level of damage control. It becomes quite evident in the build-up for next Saturday's showpiece event against four-times winners Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. His statement, "We'll practice different solutions, just in case", further hints at this approach.
His role also expects him to constantly make alternative plans. John Terry and Branislav Ivanovich are both suspended and Luiz and Cahill will remain in a race against time to recover from their hamstring injuries. Right back Bosingwa will be likely to replace one of them with one midfielder possibly having to drop back into defence, such as John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien or even Orial Romeu. This line-up will likely to have a run with the already relegated Blackburn. Defender Sam Hutchinson, who only made one substitute appearance as yet is also expected to start.
The good news, however, is that Di Matteo will jet out to the German Cup Final on Saturday to watch Jupp Heynckes Bayern against Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund in Berlin. He will be analyzing their pattern of play and have seen them play before in the semi-finals.
With Chelsea's resolute spirit, we hope to see the same turnaround against Barcelona. Or did that win come at too high a price?

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