Blues emulating Gunners in UCL loss

Chelsea decided to follow in Arsenal's footsteps by reading the same script of London clubs capitulating to Italian adversaries in the Champions League, Napoli punishing them with 3 goals while Chelsea themselves had only one from Mata to show for. Chelsea having nothing, but only defensive frailties and none of any attacking incision to show for, a suicidal combo that proved to be their downfall. Not that Napoli were any better as they were only saved by their dangerous attacking play.


In a game plagued by defensive fragility and lapse of concentration from both teams, a shocking come to terms to most of us was this was coming from the prestigious Champions League, where it should be the stage where the elites showcase their talents and ability, not in this game though, it was end to end but shabby to say the least. With goals stemming from defensive blunders from leaky defences, both sides defence were in shambles, characterized by sloppy play. There wasn’t discipline shown in defending as a unit shown by both teams.


But it was a different preposition from an attacking standpoint, as a lot of spotlight was emphasized and shown pre-match for Napoli's devastating break-neck counter attacks spearheaded by their "Holy Trinity" of attacking trident in the form of Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik. These players prove that Napoli, albeit their at times shaky defences, surely have enough firepower to trouble any sides in the world, let alone Chelsea themselves. Chelsea clearly didn’t take heed and paid attention to that. They were on show to witness the might as Lavezzi grabbed a brace sandwiching Cavani's strike, albeit falling behind first to a Mata opener. 


It was a day where attacking superiority and taking chances put on the plate overshadowed defensive instability for Napoli. In the 28th minute, Mata got the ball rolling capitalizing on Cannavaro's error to pounce and sweep in a composed finish. Their joy was clearly short-lived though, in revelling in taking their lead, the holding midfield of Ramires and Meireles failed to mark the run of Lavezzi, he took the gift without any hesitation, dribbling into the gap in defense, and curling a brilliant effort to level the score. It was shabby for Chelsea's lofty standards.

 Ezequiel Lavezzi celebrates after scoring, along with the two other members of the "Holy Trinity"

And right before the interval, Cavani compounded their misery by coming back to clinch the lead, and despite using his shoulder to force the ball into the net, Chelsea had only themselves to blame with Ivanovic caught napping at the far post. The match was end to end, and Lavezzi grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, yet again proving the match winner as he consolidate Napoli's lead after Cavani gifting a lay-off on the plate to tap in into the goal, yet again Luiz who tried to do too much instead of just clearing the ball as any other defender will do. Comical defending. And if not for Ashley Cole’s desperate last ditch goal line clearance from Maggio, conjured by Hamsik with a good show of skill, Napoli would be already be out of sight leaving Chelsea an uphill battle to turn it around at home. Instead, they are thrown a lifeline to try and salvage this game in the next leg at Stamford Bridge.

Questions are arising on whether or not Chelsea can still turn in around at home, remains to be seen, facing quite a daunting task of a two goal deficit to their home. But the spotlight will clearly be on Villas Boas, who was already under much scrutiny from the media , one may wonder whether or not he will eventually melt under the media spotlight, as he is surely in a precarious situation where the axe might just be hanging over his head. Surely no one would fancy being in his shoes at the moment. But as any purist should agree, time should be afforded, they now have time to pick themselves out, iron out the problems and sort out the tactics while putting their focus back to the League. Time should be afforded to Chelsea, as they clearly still are in a transition period where a revolution rather than an evolution should be expected.

Written by Eric Tai Shang Jer
Follow him on Twitter @Eric_Tsj


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