February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Reds manager Rafael Benitez showed throughout the CL Campaign his uncanny ability to get results.
The calm manager also displayed a smooth flare for changing things around at the right place at the right time.
The changes in the CL final showed just how much he knows and understands the game itself. So many things have to be taken into account and yet the seemingly quiet coach makes things look very simple indeed. One of the most interesting things about this Liverpool success story is how they could produce such wonderful performances in the CL and yet be so under par in the premier league.
Then again, the tempo in the Premier Division is very different to the Champions League.
Variations in formation is also another aspect of the game we see a lot more of in the CL. How often do we see a 3-5-2 in the EPL from the starting whistle? Rarely do we see a 4-3-3 never mind a 3-4-3.
It does happen, but only when a manager feels he has to go all out when the game is slipping away in the dying minutes.
However we are seeing a lot more of the 4-5-1, a shape that was used a lot by Chelsea and Manchester United.
Players coming in and out of the squad also played a roll in Liverpool’s season of European magic.
Then Aussie Harry Kewell appeared out of nowhere for the final. This was one of the few mistakes Benitez made.
Nonetheless, it was during? the Istanbul final itself that Benitez showed us his best. This was where the master took over and showed other European sides how to move players effectively around the field.
Rafa, as the faithful call him, has revived the sleeping giant we once called the Super Reds. And although captain Steven Gerrard did not have the greatest of seasons he showed his world class status in the game that counted most of all, the final.
And let’s not forget the unsung hero Jamie Carragher who was Liverpool’s most consistent player. We can only wait and see where this amazing season can take Liverpool with hopefully Gerrard leading the way.
For Chelsea and Jose Mourinho things were more straightforward when it came to team shape and selection.
Rarely did the Blues change their line up sticking to a 4-5-1 throughout most of the season. Consistency is what Chelsea was all about. Frank Lampard had an outstanding year in the middle of the field.
His timely runs and scoring goals were based on his relentless work rate form box to box. In fact it’s hard to pick on any player in the Chelsea team who had a bad season.
Mourinho knows how to get the most out of his players by using them in the right position and in the right system of play.
When Mourinho took the Chelsea job he predicted that he’d bring a league title in four years.
Achieving that in just one has all other Premier powerhouses on their toes. And let’s not forget Chelsea was beaten in the semi-final of the CL by the champions.
And just for good measure, Chelsea won the League Cup beating Liverpool in extra time.
Looking back on the Chelsea season, one can only surmise how much more they could have achieved with healthier wingers in Damien Duff and Arjen Robben.
Nevertheless, it’s just as well Chelsea produced such success. There is an unspoken amount of pressure on the coaching staff and players to win.
An obscene amount of money is pumped into the club and profit at the end of the day is paramount
Arsenal saved face by winning the FA Cup and coming second in the league. In the last few years, the FA Cup has become the savior trophy for the Gunners and Manchester. It’s a trophy that was not too long ago looked upon with little or no grace. In fact, both clubs reduced winning the cup to the point of it being “at least we won some silverware.”
Arsenal did show flashes of brilliance this season when Thierry Henry was in full swing. Alas, the gunners were never going to sustain such flare.
It also became clear that the Gunners struggled at the back without Sol Campbell. Leadership in particular was missing and it ultimately cost the north London side.
Arsene Wenger can thank his lucky stars that they came through and won the cup for him. Indeed, they were very lucky to do so on penalties. While a second place in the league is still very respectful, their fall out of the CL was once again a big European disappointment. The Gunners simply cannot get over this CL hump. Their season was not quite a success or not quite a failure. Still, it was certainly a better season than third placed Manchester United.
The Red Devils ended up the underachievers in the premiership. It’s not the end of Manchester United by any stretch of the imagination but it looks like the end of the Roy Keane dominance in English football.
It’s the center of the field where United are beginning to crumble.
United did look a better side when Rio Ferdinand came back from suspension. But most players were unable to hold on to their position. And Ferguson at times did not let a winning side stay on. There were way too many line ups and changes during the season.
Wayne Rooney creates frustration at Old Trafford when he tries to take on too many opponents. Such frustration is also evident when he tries to hit frees near the edge of box.
This is where United miss Beckam, whether you liked him or not. Dominating opponents and not scoring can wear down a team. Confidence diminishes. But when a dead ball specialist hits one home confidence soars.
That used to happen a lot at Old Trafford. It doesn’t any more because United lack a free kick specialist.
So the Ferguson era is drawing near to its end. Nevertheless, who would dare to write a club like United just because of changing faces.