Chelsea followers are in a barely unusual place in terms of Champions League qualification. They’ve been used to competing on the sharp finish of the competitors, and have received it inside the previous couple of years. Scrambling for the “prime 4 trophy” was one thing they laughed at Arsenal and Spurs followers for; whereas they have been extra targeted on Premier League titles races.
Provided that, and given the crew have been one end result from the highest of the desk on the flip of the 12 months, it is laborious to really feel too enthusiastic about simply qualifying for the competitors. It has been a moderately undignified few months of stumbling moderately than steaming in direction of the end line.
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However, the stress of the race has constructed steadily, and it could be laborious to not be drawn into the drama of it. Stamford Bridge was rocking for the nervy win over Manchester United final Friday, and going to Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season needing to win is an exhilarating climax to all of it. It definitely beats the months of useless rubbers they’ve closed out the final couple of seasons with.
The most effective message for the gamers (and certainly for supervisor Enzo Maresca) is solely to try to play free. It will not be simple in a excessive strain setting towards a crew who will give all the pieces, however Chelsea simply must depend on their superior high quality to get the job carried out. In the event that they get tense and defensive, it is going to solely play into the opposition’s fingers.
Do not attempt to strangle the life out of the sport. Go and threaten early and infrequently, play direct, make Forest really feel susceptible on the again, and attempt to forestall the house crowd build up a head of steam.
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[BBC]