Originally Posted by VII

Been thinking constantly about the last few games, the final and how the league panned out eventually and how about this for a thought?

This may sound far fetch but is it conceivable that SAF took the 'gamble' by resting players at Stamford Bridge and playing in that containing manner confident that even if it goes down to the wire we'll win by the goal difference?

What I'm trying to say is that it's a gamble he know that he'll win. So why did he do that if we can win the title right there and then?

First, it will be to our advantage to keep the league open as far as possible. If we lose, it'll go down to the last game. If we drawn, that's one more game Chelsea had to win instead of resting all their key players depending on our 2nd last game's result. Like how a true hustler try to win his mark by as little as possible and lose a few in return.

Secondly, making Chelsea lose as close as possible is a bigger blow to their confidence and mentality and less time to recover.

Last but not least, we gave them a false prelude of our tactics in the final. Now, they can almost anticipate how we're gonna play in Moscow based on that day and they won't know what hit them when we're through with them.


If you're familiar with The Art of War, you'll know that the masters employ all kind of tricks and strategies to gain an advantage no matter how small and SAF is The Master.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” - Sun Tzu