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發表於 2005-2-21 10:49 AM
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Bridge out, Duff and Gallas doubts for Barca
Bridge out, Duff and Gallas doubts for Barca
Sunday, Feb 20, 2005
You have to ask. Did the Chelsea team coach run over a black cat on the way to St James’ Park? How else to explain the dreadful luck that befell José Mourinho’s team this afternoon?
A rash of injuries emerging in a defining period of the season, a sending-off for a great servant who will now miss perhaps his last possible moment of cup glory…
“I think the result is not fair for us,” said an unfazed Mourinho. “But I have to be fair that at Stamford Bridge when we played Newcastle, they played better than us in the first half and we beat them 4-0 — this is football.”
He announced that Damien Duff, who collided with Carlo Cudicini, and William Gallas, who appeared to pull something when stretching for the ball late-on, might not make the Barcelona game on Wednesday.
“Wayne - no doubt. He is out,” the manager added. “But I never like to cry on injuries. When I get onto the plane tonight I will think about the team I will put out at Barcelona because it is time think about that now. The medical department will try to do everything to recover Gallas and Duff.” No new players will join the squad flying to Spain tonight in place of Bridge.
None the less he was happy with the performance, especially from a weakened team lacking what he called the usual “mental structure”.
“When Kezman hit the post we deserved to score,” said Mourinho, “and Given made a great save from Jarosik. In the second half we were the better side with ten men. We had control of the game, playing with three defenders, with no full backs. With things going against us I have to say I am proud of my team.
“Sometime defeat makes you feel you group is a great group and you have confidence about your future.”
Questioned about his “risky” decision to use up all three substitutions in one go at the restart, Mourinho was unrepentant.
“My life is a risk,” he shrugged. “I have done it before, and would do it again. I thought it was the best thing for my team. I think we showed in the second half if we were the best with 10 men, how well we would do with 11. I put on the players to change the game.”
As a result of Carlo Cudicini’s stoppage time red card for bringing down Shola Ameobi, Chelsea actually finished the match with eight able-bodied players. Mourinho was full of praise for the keeper who will now miss his planned big day out at Cardiff in a week’s time.
“I don’t think it’s the right moment to speak with him,” sympathised the manager. “I think it’s very very sad moment for Carlo. It shows the professional he is, because maybe a selfish person would let Ameobi score a goal. The free kick saved a goal.”
This defeat ends all talk of quads. Mourinho reflected on what might have been, alluding again to the fixtures scheduling that has become his bugbear, and commending the English league for the strength of its competitions compared to Portugal, where of course he has already won the quadruple.
Newcastle have now lost once in ten games, and were not going to turn down a quarter-final place handed on a plate. “We enjoyed the luck we had today,” said boss Graeme Souness, previously under fire from the same Geordie fans who greeted today’s final whistle with unbridled joy and not a little relief. “Regardless of the circumstances we’ll enjoy being in the next round. We had a great result today against an excellent team, an excellent team.
“We scored our goal early and they controlled most of the possession after that. We became a wee bit nervous after scoring — we’re not used to holding leads here. It’s the first 1-0 I’ve had here. I missed their best chance — Kezman’s [chip onto the bar] — as I was on my way down from the directors’ box.” No doubt clutching a rabbit’s foot and last night’s winning Lotto jackpot ticket… |
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