Chelsea have had two disappointing results in recent games. The Blues need to be more clinical in all aspects of their game to take some increasingly vital points from Manchester City.
Antonio Conte had his tactics spot on against Barcelona and Manchester United. However, they were just not enough to secure the necessary and deserved results. Against Barcelona, a childish mistake stole a crucial win from Chelsea. Against United, Chelsea’s lack of finishing and defensive mistakes cost them three points.
Antonio Conte needs to put the Blues through their paces on the training ground for the match on Sunday. Three areas will make the difference between three points, one point and a potentially disastrous zero points.
1. Finishing: Morata, Hazard must do the job or Olivier Giroud will
Since Alvaro Morata’s injury, Chelsea have been lacking goals. Yet they are creating chances from almost every situation. Against Manchester United, Morata missed from just a couple of yards away from goal.
Of course, he also spent more time complaining on the floor rather than on the ball. This type of behavior needs to change for Conte’s man to score the goals needed to win a game.
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However, it is not all Morata’s fault. At this point, Eden Hazard is also to blame. The Belgian seemed more focused on dribbling past defenders or making a through-ball than pulling the trigger himself. If the Blues want to get the right result on Sunday, they need to take their chances.
Perhaps Olivier Giroud will be the solution to the problem.
2. Defensive mistakes: Restore the locked-down back-line
In the past two games Chelsea have made silly mistakes from the back-line. Everything from a pass to the middle of the box to leaving free headers for the opposition. And it has cost them dearly.
Surely Conte is aware of these mistakes and will try to fix them. He needs Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen to be at their zero-defect best, as they were for so much of the season. Against City’s attack, there must be perfection.
3. Pressing the opposition: Full pitch, complete game
During the first half against United, Chelsea completely dominated by pressing Jose Mourinho’s team. The pressure was so effective the Red Devils were all over the place. Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial looked lost, like they did not know what to do or where to be. A second Chelsea goal seemed unavoidable. However, in the second half, the team forgot to cause United any problems.
Pep Guardiola’s team is not unbeatable and certainly have weaknesses. However, in order to win, the Blues need to execute their plan by the book and avoid mistakes. Liverpool beat Manchester City by playing at full throttle the entire game. Other teams that have come closest to beating or drawing City have done so by pressing back against Guardiola’s men. Sitting back and hoping to withstand the pressure only invites the inevitable from the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne. Chelsea need to play like Chelsea for 90 minutes and not show City any undue respect.
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A win on Sunday will be a huge boost for everyone around Chelsea. Furthermore, with the Barcelona game around the corner, the team will need all the confidence it can get.