Magnanimous in Defeat

Well Jose wasn't, but I'm doing a reasonable job of it. It's painful to go out in another semi-final, especially when the opposition can't even score conclusively. They didn't outplay us, they stifled and frustrated us, but Liverpool deserved to win if only by demonstrating a fine defensive conviction under pressure. In the end they wanted to go to the final more than we did, and Jose must be held accountable for a certain tactical inconsistency that assisted them in their endeavour. Last night PSV came close to creating an even greater upset, but Milan had the patience and courage to find the away goal Chelsea couldn't quite muster. In the end it will be remembered as the game that finally exposed our lack of attacking options when injuries have depleted our wide and overlapping first-team players. It is also the game that determined the squad rotation that will surely follow. At least one attacker and probably two defenders are required to gaurantee this situation won't be repeated. But recognition of these deficiencies doesn't assuage the nagging feeling that we might not reach another semi-final for another 2 or 3 seasons. In a way the defeat at Anfield obfuscates the achievements of this fine Chelsea team - not many clubs go so far in European competition in consecutive years - and being a 'nearly ran' counts for nothing in the Champions League. The best thing that can come out of it is a stronger, more versatile squad, and a little more humility from our manager. Well done Chelsea... close, but no banana.