Chelsea put pedal on gas too late
7 Dec 2012 7:43 AM IST
Chelsea interim coach Rafael Benitez did his best to focus on the positives after the holders went out of the Champions League at the group phase despite thrashing FC Nordsjaelland.
An empathic 6-1 success in west London on Wednesday saw Chelsea end their Group E campaign in style, but Juventus’ 1-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk meant the champions finished third in the group and slipped into the Europa League.
Since taking over from the sacked Roberto Di Matteo, Benitez has seen Chelsea fall 10 points off the pace in the Premier League, and they now hold the dubious distinction of being the first Champions League winners to tumble at the first hurdle the following season.
The bare facts paint a bleak picture of life at Stamford Bridge, but with the Club World Cup in Japan to look forward to next week, Benitez says there is no time to dwell on disappointment.
‘I’m sure playing at the level we played at today (Wednesday), we can do whatever we want, but we have to start in the next game,’ he said.
‘My approach is one game at a time. Everything I’m seeing from the players is good -- they are progressing, improving and adjusting to the little ideas we are trying to change.’
After both sides had seen penalties saved, David Luiz gave Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot in the 38th minute before Fernando Torres doubled the hosts’ advantage in first-half stoppage time.
Joshua John pulled a goal back within 30 seconds in the second half but further goals from Torres, Gary Cahill, Juan Mata and substitute Oscar gave Chelsea a one-sided victory.
Torres had scored only once in his previous 11 games and Benitez said his rediscovered scoring touch was a result of the chances created for him.
‘Yesterday in training he was sharp and today he was fine, but the team helped because we were playing with intensity right until the end, even when we were 6-1 up,’ he said.
CELTIC IN LAST 16, UNITED LOSE
A late Kris Commons penalty sealed a 2-1 win for Celtic over ten-man Spartak Moscow that saw the Glasgow giants progress to the last 16 of the Champions League after Benfica could only manage a goalless draw in Barcelona.
Manchester United lost at Old Trfford after three years in the Champions League to Romania’s CFR Cluj. Luis Alberto netted a spectacular shot form about 35 yards beyond a diving David de Gea. Galatasaray defeated Braga 2-1 to advance.
Bayern Munich thrashed BATE Borisov 4-1 at home to top Group F. Valencia too won at Lille 1-0 to finish on same points as Bayern but progress as second.
Galatasary won 2-1 at Braga to progress to the last 16 inspite CFR Cluj winning at Old Trafford. Juventus won 1-0 in Ukraine to finish Group E leaders.
An empathic 6-1 success in west London on Wednesday saw Chelsea end their Group E campaign in style, but Juventus’ 1-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk meant the champions finished third in the group and slipped into the Europa League.
Since taking over from the sacked Roberto Di Matteo, Benitez has seen Chelsea fall 10 points off the pace in the Premier League, and they now hold the dubious distinction of being the first Champions League winners to tumble at the first hurdle the following season.
The bare facts paint a bleak picture of life at Stamford Bridge, but with the Club World Cup in Japan to look forward to next week, Benitez says there is no time to dwell on disappointment.
‘I’m sure playing at the level we played at today (Wednesday), we can do whatever we want, but we have to start in the next game,’ he said.
‘My approach is one game at a time. Everything I’m seeing from the players is good -- they are progressing, improving and adjusting to the little ideas we are trying to change.’
After both sides had seen penalties saved, David Luiz gave Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot in the 38th minute before Fernando Torres doubled the hosts’ advantage in first-half stoppage time.
Joshua John pulled a goal back within 30 seconds in the second half but further goals from Torres, Gary Cahill, Juan Mata and substitute Oscar gave Chelsea a one-sided victory.
Torres had scored only once in his previous 11 games and Benitez said his rediscovered scoring touch was a result of the chances created for him.
‘Yesterday in training he was sharp and today he was fine, but the team helped because we were playing with intensity right until the end, even when we were 6-1 up,’ he said.
CELTIC IN LAST 16, UNITED LOSE
A late Kris Commons penalty sealed a 2-1 win for Celtic over ten-man Spartak Moscow that saw the Glasgow giants progress to the last 16 of the Champions League after Benfica could only manage a goalless draw in Barcelona.
Manchester United lost at Old Trfford after three years in the Champions League to Romania’s CFR Cluj. Luis Alberto netted a spectacular shot form about 35 yards beyond a diving David de Gea. Galatasaray defeated Braga 2-1 to advance.
Bayern Munich thrashed BATE Borisov 4-1 at home to top Group F. Valencia too won at Lille 1-0 to finish on same points as Bayern but progress as second.
Galatasary won 2-1 at Braga to progress to the last 16 inspite CFR Cluj winning at Old Trafford. Juventus won 1-0 in Ukraine to finish Group E leaders.
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