Chelsea’s return to the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition pairs them with a the king of Stamford Bridge, Didier Drogba. The Blues from north London will travel for a dautnting task to Turkey and will be “Welcomed to hell” in the first leg of the round of sixteen on Wednesday night.
Drogba, a firm believer in his won fate was reportedly quoted saying, that his former team are perhaps “ten times” better than his current Galatasaray side. However, the Ivorian was quick o reiterate the fact that he would be playing only to win and believes if ther would be 1% to get through the quarters he would give his life for it. Before the Champions League draw Mourinho said he wanted to draw Galatasaray so Drogba could “come back here and feel what I felt.” Drogba scored 157 goals in 342 games, mustering up three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and that winning penalty against Bayern Munich – his last kick in a Chelsea shirt – in the Champions League final.
Jose Mourinho however, was embroiled in another controversy saying his all of his strikers are “incapabale of scoring”, after Canal Plus published a video on its website of him assessing the current crop which has Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, all of whom who have flattered to deceive.
Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini, who was in charge of Manchester City last season, wan’t however too optimistic about his side’s chances to knck the blues out of the competition. The Italian admitted it will be tough for his team to adjust over the two legs, but is well assured that his side are up for it and ready to take the game to Mourinho’s men when both the sides take the pitch.
Team news: Galatasaray are expected to line up in their customary 4-4-1-1 formation, with Drogba leading the side, alongside Burak Yilmaz who will be playing just off in the pockets of space behind the Ivorian. The experience of Mancini’s triumvirate of Snjeider, Altinto and Philipe Melo are expected to keep Chelsea at bay, while Emanuel Eboue, formerly of Arsenal will be given the role to keep Eden Hazard quiet.
Chelsea however should be lining up in their 4-2-3-1 system, with Gary Cahill and John Terry in the heart of the defence while Ramires should play alongside Frank Lampard in the middle of the park. Torres should lead the front line with the like of Oscar, Hazard and Willian/ Schrrule behind him.
Predictions: No doubt, it will be a tense affair for Chelsea, but they should score, however I am not too convinced they might shade through. Galatasaray are quite capable to breach through Chelsea’s bastion given heir attacking prowes, and by the looks of it, I predict a score draw.
stats courtesy: bbc
