Carlo Ancelotti defends http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 despite poor performance
Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti stated that Fernando Torres did not disappoint him even after the striker was not able to find the back of the net and performed rather poorly in his debut match for the Blues against Liverpool
on Sunday.
Chelsea bought Torres for a British-record fee of 50 million pounds, only to witness him have a goalless first start while his team lost to Liverpool – his former club.
Prior to the game, it was rumoured that Torres would score for the Blues and the striker even claimed that it was his destiny to score against his former team. However, the Reds are now having the last laugh at Torres, who did
not even play the complete 90 minutes.
The Spaniard showed some good touches on the ball early on in the game and even had a shot on goal from a good 20 yards out; however, as the game progressed, El http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nino-c28051 seemed to disappear into the night and was eventually replaced
by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Salomon-Kalou-c32266 on the 68th minute mark.
The 26-year-old striker witnessed his former team celebrating the only goal of the game just moments after going off the pitch, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-Meireles-c30678 found the back of the net with a left-footed volley. Despite the ball falling to his
weaker foot, the Portuguese midfielder showed great technique as he jumped up in the air and intercepted Gerrard’s cross from the right-hand side to strike the ball well beyond http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Petr-Cech-c29837.
Carlo Ancelotti said, "The problem wasn't that Torres played - he did a good job on the pitch.”
"We had difficulty finding enough space in front, because Liverpool defended very well and they put three defenders in the middle, and we didn't find the right way to attack them.”
The manager stated that the only reason behind Torres’ below-par performance was that the player needed time to adjust to the formation that Chelsea employ.
Ancelotti further added, "We have to give Fernando time to adjust to the shape, but I think that he will do it quickly."
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 international has so far been playing in a role that often sees him being the only lone striker upfront. However, last night the player went on to play as a part of a three-man strike force, for what could have been the
first time in his life. As a result, the player did not get the delivery that he would have usually got and instead had to feed off the other two strikers.
The manager’s decision to take the player off was purely a tactical one, as Torres despite his heap of experience and talent just was not up to the mark on the night. The crowd booed the striker every time he took to the ball and
playing against his former side seemed to be taking its toll on him.
Nonetheless, Chelsea’s other debutant http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Luiz-c10542 had a rather impressive debut. The player came on for the last 20 minutes as he replaced Jose Bosingwa on the pitch. Luiz then went on to put on a impressive defensive show, while
showing just how versatile he can be as he spent most of his time near the half-way line, attacking http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 and occasionally being tracked back to get rid of any Liverpool threats.
Despite http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 picking up the loss on the night, it seemed to be a rather impressive tactical display from both sides. However, for Chelsea, to think of even staying in the title race they have to make sure that they do not lose
a single game from now on, or they can kiss another trophy goodbye this season.
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