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3 Key Battles (Chelsea vs Stoke): Can Stoke Contain Hazard?

3. Steven N’Zonzi vs Nemanja Matic

nemanja matic
Nemanja Matic

Saturday’s midfield battle will be decided by the battle of the two midfield giants. N’Zonzi and Matic might not get the goals from midfield that every manager craves, but they provide a valuable service that often goes unnoticed in football. The job of a defensive midfielder is not only to break up attacks, but also to start them by making the most of the ball.

Earlier in the season, Matic was hailed  as the next best thing since sliced bread, but his last few performances for his club haven’t been all that impressive. Teams have found a way around the Serbian and against Stoke, he will come up against a midfielder, who is every bit as physical and aggressive as he is. If the Stoke midfielder can get the better of Matic, then the midfield battle, which is so crucial, will be won by the visitors, who will then have a real chance of getting something out of the game.