Wow, how often is the sequel better than the original….not very often at all!! But this was a cracker!!

So again what can we learn from this game as coaches?

Firstly, what was Petr Cech doing on that free kick???? Do you think it is worth putting a defender on the post and giving up the offside trap? How many times have you seen free kicks buried in the corner of the goal that would not have been conceded if they had had a man on the post?

Liverpool’s second was a penalty, straightforward decision and execution of the kick.

Chelsea’s first couple of goals were a lucky deflection (or goalkeeper mistake) and a screamer of a free kick from Alex. Again, showing the importance of set plays. Then a deflected shot for Liverpool, then a great header from Kuyt. Chelsea won the game with two goals from Lampard.

So, let’s look at Lampard’s first goal. Aurelio went from hero to villain. His lack of defending at the backpost was unbeleivable, how could he have not thought to get back and get goal side of Lampard, if he had, there simply would have been no goal conceded. This shows again to us as coaches the importance of discipline, concentration and the importance of recovery runs, stress to your players to get back, get goalside and then take a breather if necessary. Show them this goal enough times for them to get the message!

Lampard’s second goal could have been prevented if Liverpool had won any of the three tackles they attempted which would have prevented the ball getting to Lampard.

How many of these goals could have been prevented by doing a better job of stopping the ball getting into the penalty box in the first place?

We need to teach our players the importance of shutting down teams when they have the ball in crossing positions, do whatever you can to prevent that ball getting into the box. It is much better to work at stopping the cross coming in than being lazy and undisciplined and then trying to defend in the box, what do you think??

Let’s talk soccer………