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?

A surreal performance from the old guard!

Chelsea v Everton Preview

Focus should be on player management and chemistry

If AVB rejects the notion of tweaking Chelsea’s style to suit Torres and return on investment remains abysmal collective efforts should ignite a belief in any title hopes.  Player management obviously entails identifying “out of form” players and using  those minimal performance levels to create a more effective unit.

Needless to say, less pressure would be on the hapless Torres who continues to blunder sitters in the box. Mid-field movement and quality possession should improve and create the right spaces for Torres to manipulate and exploit.  Besides Ferguson mastered the art of making an average looking team seem invincible.

More than two points dropped

Yet another emotionally charged contest took place between these two football enmities and the dust is yet to settle.  Should this be viewed as a fair result?  That obviously depends on how objective this spectacle between these leviathans can possibly be examined.  Personally, we simply cannot be reduced to blaming alleged biased refereeing as this encounter should be considered at all costs a battle between two capable strategists, although AVB appears more cavalier than the seasoned Ferguson.  It would be suggesting that the game’s result and probably the fate of all matches of this prestige will be affected by the whims of a careless referee.  In all honesty, a series of awarded penalties should be attributed to quality ball possession by Man United.  The attack obviously reached enough momentum to breach the penalty box area.  Irrespective of whether those penalties were worthy to be awarded or not, AVB’s abilities remain questionable and poor player management remains detrimental to all title hopes.  The result seems like a victory to Ferguson I’m afraid.