The Man in The Shed

3^rd May – Atmosphere

So after two evenings of Champions League football it was time for the main event ! It would be difficult to better Wednesday’s game in Spain. Whilst all Chelsea fans marvel at the exceptional skills of Hazard you really have to be in awe of the enduring brilliance of Lionel Messi.  Perhaps that’s how Hazard came to be on the bench – he asked Sarri for a rest so we couldn’t compare them.

The other significant event leading up to the game was of course the new 2019-20 shirt launch. It certainly brought all Chelsea fans together – in apparent universal condemnation. I have to admit a soft spot for those Adidas kits in the recent past but accepted that (in the absence of increasing revenue via a larger ground) we couldn’t turn down the better offer from Nike. All this marketing BS about incorporating all 4 parts of the ground into the design – really ? I won’t be buying one – but don’t worry Nike – I’ve never bought a replica shirt in my life.

So, back to the game. Sarri went with his “Europa team” with Emerson, Giroud starting and Hazard hiding from Messi comparisons on the bench. For the first time this season the squad was stretched having lost Rüdiger for the season and Cahill (remember him) unavailable due to an achilles issue. The hosts appeared to be missing two of their best players (1 injured and 1 suspended) which always helps.

The TV did a great job of presenting the brilliant atmosphere at the Commerzbank Arena. Their crowd were worth two or three extra players, not one. And the huge flag covering one whole stand behind the goal – impressive (glimpse it here).

Despite playing against 14 Frankfurt players, the first five minutes was good from us. Gradually the extra manpower told and dangerous crosses began to reign in on our goal. Christensen was booked for a clumsy challenge and meant he would walk a tightrope for the next 70 minutes.

Frankfurt had built a reputation as a strong counter-attacking team. They quickly proved it: we lost the ball in their half, they broke away, crossed and a deft header right into the corner eluded Kepa. Our response was good, a shot from Pedro just wide and then a couple of corners but we hadn’t forced their keeper to make a save. Pressing meant taking risks. They broke again and Christensen was last man and appeared to commit a foul – ref said no.

Loftus-Cheek was playing one of his better games; he also shot just wide. We were getting closer and the game was being played in their half. Another corner drops to Loftus-Cheek, a pass to Pedro who shot and scored just before half time.

So whilst we hadn’t been playing badly, it wasn’t great but we were level with an away goal. And they did seem to have three more players than us. Their crowd had produced a great atmosphere for the whole of the first half.

Our start to the second half was also good. Jorginho actually put his body on the line and earned a bloody head wound for his trouble. The bandaged head is never a great look but it did seem to spur him on to a more aggressive performance. We were then treated to five minutes without a commentator (but with the crowd noise). A gantry power failure apparently but neither Hoddle or Hargreaves in the studio seemed willing to take on commentating duties (perhaps the analyser role is deemed superior to commentator so it was below them). So nobody got excited about a Loftus-Cheek shot over the bar or another quarterback pass from Luiz to Pedro.

A bad foul by Frankfurt 25 yards out. Luiz’ free kick hits the bar. Another bad foul by them. We are looking strong; they are looking tired already and still a quarter of the game left. Hazard is on for Willian. We’re told that Frankfurt had spent all week practicing double and triple teaming against him. It would have been a shame to have wasted that preparation. He was straight into the action. A Loftus-Cheek shot was saved and the Hazard follow-up blocked. Then a Hazard free kick was headed goalwards by Luiz but saved.

Frankfurt finally made it into our half and forced a corner. In the follow up the ball hit Giroud in the area – arm or chest ? Referee says chest – phew.

The Frankfurt players did really seem out on their feet. There were several instances where they had collapsed with cramp. We should have been trying to win this ! There were 10 minutes left. Loftus-Cheek was subbed for Kovacic (negative).

One last effort from Frankfurt – they had somehow got second wind. Huge cheers as they won a corner – another free header but luckily over the top.

Five minutes of injury time. We broke away and they were short at the back. Pedro’s pass was poor and the opportunity lost. It’s full time.

At the start I would have taken a score draw. Now I am disappointed. We totally bossed the second half.

Full credit to their crowd at the end. They were all still there, still waving flags and holding aloft the black and white paper squares to project another of these great “mosaics” for TV.

For once the curse of the commentator had not prevailed. All through the game we were told that if we avoided defeat it would break a record for the number of unbeaten games in the Europa league. We had – 16 and counting. Let’s go on and make it 18 !

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Back to the league on Sunday. Bring on Watford. I wonder what bank holiday engineering work would challenge my trip to the Bridge.