RedRabbit
21-04-2008, 16:22
http://i25.tinypic.com/ztupv7.jpgWith the Champions League semifinal approaching a lot of attention has been put on the Liverpool v Chelsea tie. One hand you have a manager, Rafa Benitez, that has not lived up to the potential of competing for the league title but has once again shown that he is a great European manager. On the other hand you have a relatively unknown manager, Avram Grant, with very little experience but in charge of a squad with excess talent. (In fact the only addition to the 'Mourinho's' squad that Grant has made was Nicolas Anelka, and he hardly plays him.)
Can Grant do what Mourinho failed to do? I honestly don't see it. In my view, Grant makes a squad selection, gives very little tactical insight and then sends them off to see what they can do. While Benitez does know how make tactics work from the beginning and if that is not working, he knows the substitution(s) that can affect the match.
As in previous encounters, this tie will be low scoring. In fact, I see Grant going to Ansfield with only one striker - more than likely Drogba (if he is fit). Overall, it will be Liverpool moving on and Chelsea, once again, left behind in the semi-finals.
Can Grant do what Mourinho failed to do? I honestly don't see it. In my view, Grant makes a squad selection, gives very little tactical insight and then sends them off to see what they can do. While Benitez does know how make tactics work from the beginning and if that is not working, he knows the substitution(s) that can affect the match.
As in previous encounters, this tie will be low scoring. In fact, I see Grant going to Ansfield with only one striker - more than likely Drogba (if he is fit). Overall, it will be Liverpool moving on and Chelsea, once again, left behind in the semi-finals.