 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
06 11 2007 Schalke 0 Chelsea 0
This was not one of my favourite European trips. A dark, grey two days in a one horse town and to top it all off - a very
tedious game where Chelsea were very lucky not to lose.
This was my second visit to Gelsenkirchen. The first was during the World Cup to watch Poland lose to Ecuador... that
day was more enjoyable despite the result. We had the Fanfest, better weather, and weren't treated as much like cattle
as we were on Tuesday night against Schalke.
Chelsea were very poor overall. Maybe they were intimidated by the noise in this closed arena, or maybe finally we had
met a very decent side. Cole and Malouda had very average performances, and I am struggling to remember more than
one shot on goal for the Blues. We will have these kind of games from time to time, but what is important is that we only
need another win to qualify which should come against Valencia at home. Chelsea supporters struggled to find their
voices during the game, despite some boisterous singing in the bars before the game: many of the Stone Island clad
hard nuts seemed to think they were too cool to sing songs and get behind the team - maybe they are not real Chelsea
fans?
There was simply nothing to do in Gelsenkirchen after the game: tired after a 4.30am start and a little worse for wear we
retired back to our hotel at midnight avoiding an even worse hangover.
The day after the game I visited the stadium of Schalke's bitter rivals, Borussia Dortmund. What is odd is that in
Germany you are allowed to have one end that is standing: why can't we have this in England? I also took a trip up their
tv tower: the weather was so atrocious that I only spent a minute up there before scurrying back downstairs.
tedious game where Chelsea were very lucky not to lose.
This was my second visit to Gelsenkirchen. The first was during the World Cup to watch Poland lose to Ecuador... that
day was more enjoyable despite the result. We had the Fanfest, better weather, and weren't treated as much like cattle
as we were on Tuesday night against Schalke.
Chelsea were very poor overall. Maybe they were intimidated by the noise in this closed arena, or maybe finally we had
met a very decent side. Cole and Malouda had very average performances, and I am struggling to remember more than
one shot on goal for the Blues. We will have these kind of games from time to time, but what is important is that we only
need another win to qualify which should come against Valencia at home. Chelsea supporters struggled to find their
voices during the game, despite some boisterous singing in the bars before the game: many of the Stone Island clad
hard nuts seemed to think they were too cool to sing songs and get behind the team - maybe they are not real Chelsea
fans?
There was simply nothing to do in Gelsenkirchen after the game: tired after a 4.30am start and a little worse for wear we
retired back to our hotel at midnight avoiding an even worse hangover.
The day after the game I visited the stadium of Schalke's bitter rivals, Borussia Dortmund. What is odd is that in
Germany you are allowed to have one end that is standing: why can't we have this in England? I also took a trip up their
tv tower: the weather was so atrocious that I only spent a minute up there before scurrying back downstairs.
Video 1
Video 2
