Dec 17
The draw for round two of the Champions League has just come out and we’re playing our old friends from the 2000-01 season Bayern Munich.
Back then we were clearly second best, with one draw and one 1-0 defeat in the group stage. Good news is that they are not the team they were, whilst this time WE are the champions.
Expect plenty of verbal before this one, and, despite the inevitable clanger from Lehmann (probably off a Kahn goal kick) we should get through.
3 Responses to “Its Kahn v Lehmann again”
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December 17th, 2004 at 11:32 am
You indirectly bring up an interesting issue…will Lehmann be our keeper when its time to play BM? If you don’t choose him for Chelsea, do you pick him for the CL?
Goodness, will he be furious if Almunia is chosen to face off with Kahn.
December 17th, 2004 at 6:42 pm
Very optimistic. In that group stage we were up 2-0 at home and lost the lead drawing 2-2. In Munich we were ‘awed’ and played awful. It wasn’t as if we played our hearts out and lost. We simply didn’t show up.
Without wanting to seem overly optimistic but that was also a much better BM side and this year they are weaker than that side and we are better than we were at that time.
I think we’ll go through.
As for Lehmann, it can be good or bad if he starts. The good being is he plays out of his skin, knowing he’ll have a chance to showcase his skills directly v. Khan, which hasn’t happened since he left Dortmund but it could also bring out the best in Khan.
Either way, I think we will go through. Too many weapons for them.
December 17th, 2004 at 8:11 pm
If Wenger continues to win with Almunia, you can bet that Wenger will continue to leave out Lehmann though it will be interesting to have Lehmann and Kahn playing in opposite ends of the pitch.
By then, I am hoping for Glberto to be ready to play and for Reyes to rediscover his form. With them back, we will be more than a match for BM. A central pairing of Viera/Gilberto can neutralize the influence of Ballack who is a potential match winner for BM. And the continued pairing of Campbell/Toure will reduce the threat from Makaay.
But first of all, we need to be more competent at defending against setpieces. The Germans will be rubbing their hands with glee whenever they get a corner or freekick.