
Champions League Group E
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Tuesday 6 December
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Right, it’s the ‘do or die’, ‘life or death’ Champions League game tonight – ok, a little dramatic really, it’s our final Group E game against Valencia. If we lose, no-one really dies and if we win or get a no score draw, then we qualify alongside Bayer Leverkusen.
We go into the game off the back of a couple of wins in the league at last but in terms of Champions League form, we blew the last game, going from a goal up to lose 2-1 to Leverkusen. As for Valencia, have won seven of their last eight games and have won the last two in the Champions League.
Still, we have to look at it as a one-off game and do whatever we have to, to get the job done.
MANAGERS’ VIEWS
Ahead of this one, AVB has talked a bit about our home form and doesn’t seem to think it will necessarily work in our favour, saying “I’m not saying Stamford Bridge is a problem. There’s a problem with results at Stamford Bridge, but there’s not a problem with Stamford Bridge. We have had good performances away from home. In terms of focus concentration, we have been also doing well away from home and there is more tension in those games as you play them away, (there is) less relaxation. Sometimes extra tension can let you be more concentrated and it might help you in your performances.”
Valencia coach Unai Emery meanwhile suggests we should both go through but given some of our form this season, sees this as a real opportunity for his side to progress, saying “It would have been nice to see both teams through. There’s a final – Chelsea v Valencia and one of the two will have to go out. They might have had small problems or doubts in the past, but they scored three at Newcastle at the weekend so we can’t count on ups and downs. We need to put very strong arguments to go through. We respect Chelsea for their greatness, their history, their top-level players and manager, and we can’t count on recent form. But this is an opportunity.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Bosingwa (abductor strain) misses out and joins Josh McEachran (ankle) and long term absentee Michael Essien (knee). David Luiz and Oriol Romeu may find themselves dropped from the starting line-up although Didier Drogba is expected to keep his place.
For Valencia, Miguel and Ricardo Costa have been punished by the club for unprofessional behaviour so miss out, Victor Ruiz may not yet be fit enough although Jonas, Sofiane Feghouli and in-form striker Roberto Soldado should all return following their rest at the weekend.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (from): Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Luiz, Mikel, Romeu, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Malouda, Meireles, Torres, Drogba, Kalou, Sturridge, Lukaku, Turnbull.
VALENCIA (Possible line-up): Diego Alves – Bruno, Rami, Ruiz, Alba – Costa, Albelda – Hernandez, Jonas, Feghouli – Soldado.
LAST MEETING
Valencia 1-1 Chelsea (28th September 2011)
PREDICTION
I have a really horrible feeling Channel 5 beckons.