Nov 05 2008
Chelsea Stumble Just When Confidence Should Have Been Soaring
photo: JohnnyTerry
Chelsea have completely stuttered in their Champions League campaign, and Roma couldn’t have looked better. Panucci opened Roma’s scoring after a complete mental failure in Chelsea’s defense in the 34th minute. To which Vucinic followed up with two goals of the finest quality in 48th and 58th minutes. Chelsea just looked stunned.
And who wouldn’t be, Roma are always a threat, but not exactly something you would consider to be a challenger to the Chelsea side we’ve seen this season. The loss comes at a bad time for Chelsea, as the Londoners were hoping to secure a berth into the knockout stages, but instead have left the group wide open with themselves on 7 points, and Roma and Bordeaux on 6. Even CFR Cluj have a reasonable chance with 4 points and two more matches to go in the group stages.
Chelsea have really stumbled here, but one thing I do not agree with is the Deco red card. A second yellow for attempting a quick free kick? Seriously? I can sort of understand if you’re a really bitter official, maybe giving Deco a yellow if it’s his first offense, but when he’s already on a yellow card, throwing him out of the match for that?
This is football at the highest level, the matches are much too important to be decided by something so stupid as a free kick taken too early in the official’s opinion.
