Boys Director of Coaching-Carl Rose will offer his insight, thoughts and lessons for our youth players to learn from a recent EPL, MLS, or Champions League game in Carl's Corner. Gain the insight of a former professional player and his take on the recent match.
Sunday 21st, September
Manchester United @ Chelsea
This was a meeting of the two teams who have won the Premier league the last four years. This game was played with high intensity and commitment from both teams to win. The pace of the game was very fast with a great show of technical skills from both teams. Games like these usually come down to who makes a mistake and can the other team capitalize on that mistake.
Early in the game Chelsea player Joe Cole had a partial break-away and his shot went wide of the goal, united player Wayne Rooney also had a chance to put his team in the lead but his shot went wide also.
The goals that were scored came from things that youth players should try to do in their games. The first goal of the game came from Man. Utd about 18 minutes into the game on a quick counter-attack with the ball being played to Berbatov at the top of the penalty area, he side steps the defender and takes his shot, the Chelsea keeper Petre Cech makes the save but gives up the rebound and by the time he or any of his defenders could react to the save, United player Park was following up the shot and scored the opening goal.
In the second half again both teams had chances to score but did not, and as the game was nearing the end Chelsea stared to apply more pressure to tie the game and keep their unbeaten streak at home in tact. Chelsea finally scored to tie the game.
Coaches in our club are always telling players how important set plays are whether they be attacking or defending. Manchester United did something wrong on the set play that cost them 3 points and the win. From the set play the ball is played in the air into the penalty area and Chelsea forward Kalou gets up and heads to tie the game. The mistake that Man. Utd made was that no one was marking Kalou and he got a free header to score.
The two things that I want players to learn from that game is
1. Always follow up shots on goal
2. On defending set plays in your penalty area make sure that ALL your
your opponents are marked up.
Until the next Carl’s Corner-enjoy playing the game!
