Liverpool 1 - 3 Chelsea: Some Guus have all the luck
Friday, 10 April 09, 06:22 AM · Comments (25)
Bob Quick must be looking at Guus Hiddink and wondering exactly where he went wrong.
Britain’s most hapless copper (well, this week’s candidate for the title) inadvertently revealed a few secrets about a raid on the North West. A day later, faced with widespread condemnation he lost his job in disgrace.
On the other hand, the amiable Dutchman casually told the world’s media how he was planning his own raid on the area. Now an increasing number of people are demanding that he should keep his job. Some guys have all the luck.
But anyone who watched Hiddink’s team leave one of European club football’s most revered sides of the last five years scratching their heads in bewilderment will surely know that luck had little to do with it.
This was a calculated and ruthless assault on a supposedly impregnable fortress; as comprehensive a defeat as you will see in the Champions League this season.
(Yes, I am putting my fingers in my ears and whistling loudly every time anyone says the word “Barcelona”.)
After the shambolic reign of Phil Scolari came to an abrupt end earlier this year, Hiddink brought his own brand of law and order to a Chelsea side that was perilously close to anarchic meltdown.
And during his short stay in English football, not content with restoring harmony where chaos looked set to reign, he has also set about a few of the game’s sacred cows and Sky perpetuated myths, often leaving them floundering in a heap of their own hyperbole.
Homecoming of a(nother) Geordie messiah? You should have stayed on your comfy sofa trading clichés with the other ex-footballers; as short-term jobs go, this one looks about as attractive as being Spinal Tap’s next drummer.
On Wednesday night, Guus set about the “Rafa - Tactical Genius” myth with great aplomb.
Actually, to say ‘myth’ is unkind – Benitez’s reputation as a master of European football’s holy grail is hard won and well deserved, which makes Hiddink’s achievement all the more impressive.
The Dutchman’s plan was clearly stated; we will attack. Little hint was offered as to the tactical masterclass that followed; Hiddink outthought his opposite number on every level.
The lack of Mascherano’s combative yet calming influence in midfield cost Liverpool, but it was Chelsea’s sheer presence and not his absence that made the difference on the night.
Earlier this season, it was the Chelsea faithful who were having nightmares about ‘zonal marking’. Now it is for the Kop to ponder its inherent pitfalls, having watched Branislav Ivanovic (surely now the most Googled footballer since Federico Macheda?) twice take full advantage of some truly Conference-esque defending.
And then there was the most talked about battle in the game; Gerrard vs. Essien.
Hiddink referred to the close attention paid to Liverpool’s talisman as ‘disarming their main weapon’. Possibly a polite way of saying ‘one man team’, but it pays Gerrard the ultimate compliment that he was singled out as such.
Essien’s Chelsea career has been a conundrum wrapped up inside a riddle; just what is his best position?
A reasonably convincing case can be made for him in the majority of the roles he has played for the club; until this week most Blues were of the opinion that he is least effective as a holding midfielder – not strictly the true definition of the role he played, but scripts are hastily being rewritten as I type.
His performance was as impressive as any that Claude Makelele turned in against the Liverpool captain; the fact that the Ghanaian does far more besides and still looks as though he could repeat the performance immediately after the final whistle is a genuinely exciting prospect for Chelsea’s future.
With excellent cameos from Drogba and Florent Malouda’s running, tackling and dribbling alter-ego also worthy of a mention (their work for the third goal from Ballack’s exceptional pass was both brilliant and brutally simple), less so John Terry’s questionable booking which rules him out of next week’s game, Guus’s first major test as caretaker looks to have been passed with flying colours.
The relative comfort of our away goal bonanza and a second leg on home turf leaves the optimists amongst us dreaming of a titanic semi-final battle against that team whose name we shan’t mention; for Liverpool to be facing them next month instead of us would require a plot twist as unexpected and cruel as the ‘meat and two veg’ moment in ‘The Crying Game’.
The last few days have provided confirmation – were it ever needed – of the ever-baffling nature of football. Odds overturned, reputations enhanced and diminished in the space of ninety minutes.
The Hiddink bandwagon is gradually becoming a juggernaut; eight wins, one draw, one loss and just five goals conceded. Odds on the Dutchman staying at Chelsea are slashed as the clamour for Abramovich to retain his services grows louder, while the man himself continually insists that he really is leaving in May, irrespective of what happens between now and then.
Benitez, meanwhile, having finally won hard-fought off pitch battles to stay at Anfield on his own terms, is facing the stark prospect of another season where disappointment is looking a more likely outcome than trophies; a scenario which Liverpool would surely have considered unthinkable not so long ago.
As Bob Quick and Rafa himself might tell you, some Guus really do have all the luck.
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25 Comments · Add yours
I'm still in dreamland really!! Bring on Barc! i am sure we wil show how old henry has really become. If we can keep Messi equally quiet then I have no fear at all!AND.....i believe we have the second leg at home! We are now talking about the Liverpool game but let's not forget the footballing lesson we taugt Barca at Home under jose's first reign! I still have that as my Favorite game of the last five years and now can add the Liverpool game to that!! Can we do it...YES WE CAN...LOL
Best game summary that I've read yet!
Good read Jonathan. Someone needed to sum the achievement in retrospect. What is insane to think is that so many Chelsea fans missed it 'live' out of fear for a boring encounter we would inevitably lose, a condition brought on by the experience of previous games in the series.
However, it does seem that Guus is not going to be staying. The most informed reports by the better journalists with genuine contacts inside the Bridge suggest that Russian politics will ensure we don't get his permanent signature. There are few powers Roman has to bow to, but the Russian hierarchy are one. The building of their sporting and especially football clout is seen as crucial to that country's continued real influence in the world. I think they will insist on keeping Hiddink.
What most impresses me about him is his lack of fear and his lack of what we used to call 'side'. He isn't bothered about impressing or hiding anything - beyond critical tactical measures - and just tells it like it is. This comes from having actually achieved at the highest level all his career. Those press doubters who tried to talk down his appointment are looking stupid now aren't they. He has the measure of the Prem and the measure of the Champs Lge. They are football competitions and he knows how to organise teams to play football. Doesn't mean he will win the Champs Lge. It's still a big task. But I'm more confident under him than anyone else I could hope for...including Jose - who's demons Guus is refreshingly free of.
Of course, being a Chelsea fan I have all the trepidation everyone else has and half expect it all to go spectacularly wrong. Though, even if it does, there will always be moments like last Wednesday night - especially after the third goal went in - to remember, and the delirium of pure unexpected delight re-lived.
If my arms weren't tied around my back in this straitjacket I'd be doffing my cap.
A great mix of the topical and football complete with quality one liners.
I am concerned about the managerial situation. Granted it's early days with Hiddink and our first dozen games under Scolari were more positive than negative, but the Spurs performance apart (and the fitness training lag pointed out by Be Champions may have been key), it feels as though things are generally moving in the right direction.
If as DB points out in #3, he wont be staying and as seems likely Ancelotti arrives I have some major concerns. I am not questioning his coaching ability but there are a number of factors, which taken on their own would not be crucial but taken together are a worry.
1. Language
2. Has the appearance of a one club man.
3. Hasn't moved around different leagues and cultures and therefore is not used in recent years to picking up the reins and making quick decisions about what needs changing and what stays the same.
4. He's ariving at a club with no Italians in the first team squad, having never worked outside Italy. Combined with the language issue it adds to communication difficulties and imposing a playing style.
5. Can he overhual the team and keep it refreshed? Some would say he succeeded with the first part on arriving at Milan but not the second.
6. While Milan like all top clubs requires the ability to operate politically, he knows Milan, had played there and no doubt understood what was required. Things is a bit different at the Bridge.
Yes he's a winner and I stress that it's not about his abilities, its about these factors and how they would impact on his ability to do the job. Seems a big gamble to me.
I'm looking forward to being shot down in flames so I can sleep easy in my bed.
"On 10 April 2006 Hiddink announced on Dutch television that he would take over as manager of Russia. He signed a 2-year contract worth US$ 2.4 million a year plus bonuses, with an option for another two years, on 14 April 2006. His duties for Russia started after the 2006 World Cup, and the team's first match with Hiddink as coach was a friendly on 16 August 2006 against Latvia"
As per wikipedia. Interesting that his contract runs out at just the right time..
Reply to mike12:
Never mind, he has extended the contract
Cold water on Villa and Pavlyuchenko:
LINK
Very much looking forward to this next week of football. Should be very exciting stuff. Considering all the CL pressure, what are the odds some strange results happen this weekend?
Oh, and as I mentioned it was coming a few weeks back, we look rather fit as a squad now, don't we? I think we will see this trend continue. Speed is back in our game.
It's way too late to write anything new, so this from previous:
We played football.
Yes, we had all the PL attributes of power and commitment, drive and determination, but we played football and they couldn't match us.
Porto did it on Tuesday and Barca, unsurprisingly, did it too. Could this be the start of something?
Still it's only half time; but we're in control of the tie and our immediate destiny is in our own hands.
My night went rather rather well (even had time for a cheeky little punt before kick-off).
The guest ale was great and I sat beside a group of guys who then felt obliged to pretend that they weren't really supporting poo, which made for even more fun as the goals started going in!
Everyone deserves at least an 8.5.
The papers were awash with zonal set-piece excuses that seemed to ignore the many chances made in open play.
Kalou was working wonders until he was splattered over the Anfield turf and I can see why Arse would be so keen to get him.
Alex looks ungainly and a bit sluggish at times but he is a very good player and if he's always around when we concede it might just be because he's always aware of the impending danger.
Frank was finally allowed the luxury of making a few mistakes which was probably just what he needed - he is human after all, and I'm sure that getting those out of his system will be a great relief.
And on it goes.
Maybe everyone deserves at least a 9.
Reply to BlueBayou:
Great Article JD......
I totally agree with all of BB's concerns over Ancelotti...... If Guus Hiddink was exactly the right man at the right time, Ancelotti would be precisely the wrong man at the right time, for all of the reasons outlined above.
Incidentally, the Pope has just issued a 'Thank You' to Liverpool FC for reminding the Wolrd tha Easter isn't about fluffy bunnies and chocolate eggs........ It's about getting crucified on crosses!
I'm a bit concerned about the expectations being heaped on the manager.
He's done great stuff thus far but how much of that is due to his being here 'on loan'?
How much of the freedom we saw on Wednesday was the result of him not feeling the pressure that sat on his predecessors shoulders?
Hasn't he already stated he aims to retire soon and how does that square with building for the future?
Guus has reversed a downward spiral in double quick time but the people who won this match all wore blue shirts on the pitch and it's their commitment that we need to keep, however many of them stay on for next season.
Guus' has proved that the squad is good and, apart from replacing those wanting to go and a few who may be feeling their years, there's not much else needs doing.
So let him, them, and us, enjoy the rest of the season, which is shaping up to be really special, and hope that whoever takes charge next term will have something worth continuing.
Reply to Greenlight:
That's cruel, but well worth a chuckle.
Reply to Greenlight:
I'll pass you your coat LOLOLOLOL Very funny
Maybe, just maybe, if Guus should do the incredible and take us to the Holy Grail of a first CL triumph, would it finally lay the TSO ghost to rest??
AG was always on a loser after following TSO. TSSO just wasn't up to the job but GH showed on Wednesday what a tactical genius he is the same as TSO was.
I can deffo see silverware coming our way this season but what shape, I am not bold enough to comment on just yet. The first leg against Barca is the key to our season now methinks.
Reply to TheBear:
If Guus really is going in May [and he remains insistent he is] wouldn't a CL triumph just leave 2 ghosts rattling around The Bridge till we get a permanent manager who can bring us consistent success again.
Agree entirely that Ancelotti doesn't feel like the one to do that. Time for Kenyon to earn his money steering Roman to someone else?
@BB - if you fight clear of that straitjacket can you outdo Des Kelly for overblown mixed metaphors from today's Daily Wail on the Glazers:
"Q. Do the Glazer family actually understand United’s history or the English game?
A. Yes, of course they do. To use the football vernacular, this is a family that knows how to step up to the plate, adjust the groin cup of caution, swing the bat of success in the fourth down and dunk the hoop of victory — even if they then pull the hamstring of recklessness and fall face down on the pitch of stupidity with the snot of greed dribbling out of their nose. Yeah, these guys live and breathe football, from their base in Tampa."
Reply to Elliot:
Elliot am with you on this...
JD you just outdid yourself...Writing is superior to many I have read on this site.
I am going to frame this piece. It is that good.
Please more of the same after the Bolton Game...
Reply to blueboydave:
While I might dream of a title fight at Madison Square Gardens, New York City, deep down I know I'll always just be scrapping on the undercard at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
C'est magnifique Monsieur Dyer.
I am on match report duty but after what I've just witnessed I nned some time to
a.) lower the pulse rate
b.) lower the blood pressure
c.) work out just how bi-polar the team is
d.) pinch myself to make sure I did actually see that game for real.
*walks back to kitchen wondering what the squeaking noise is*
Reply to ChelseaTony:
Hucking Fell!
I just hope that will be a wake up call for any complacency that they might have come Tuesday.
I think we switched off like Milan did four years ago, and nearly paid the price. It was freak result Tony mate, I'm sure it was. Was it?
Reply to Clive:
Yes, Clive a freak result that only our club could produce.....
I need help...........sometimes I wish I was a neutral
I agree Tony., as much as I'm pleased with the three points today which keeps us in with an outside chance. The thing that makes me feel somewhat deflated is that we equalled the GD with Poo, only to shoot ourselves in both feet, and nether regions.
Is it just me that this feels more like a defeat than a win?
Reply to Clive:
No and yes.
Folks - please accept my apologies for the late delivery of the review. There will be one written at some point today but due to excessive amounts of Westons Organic and Magners non-organic I have a humungous headache which is physically bigger than Mount Everest.
Please be patient and a review will appear later today.
The report is with Nick folks.
I'm off to bed.