There are somethings in football which are not entirely coincidental but situations of greater entropy are bound to happen. Chelsea’s return to the knockout stages of the champions League pairs them with a familiar name, the king of Stamford Bridge, Didier Drogba.
The Blues from West London will be “Welcomed to hell” by Turkish giants Galatasaray in the first leg of the round of sixteen on Wednesday night as Jose Mourinho looks to direct his troops forward in Europe’s elite competition. While Galatasaray have moved to a new stadium, there will be a special atmosphere from the home set of fans who will certainly look to their beloved side to grab an unlikely win.
Chelsea have beaten Galtasaray in their last two meetings during the days of legend Gianfranco Zola, so can Mourinho get the job done and what will be his strongest lineup? We here at Soccersouls have the answer for our readers.
Petr Cech is expected to man the Chelsea goal but will be under scrutiny against a very attacking Galtasaray squad boasting the likes of Snjeider, Altintop, Burak Yilmaz and certainly Didier Drogba. The Turkish side can take the skin off any opposition with their fluent attacking style and are more than capable of breaching Chelsea’s defensive discipline. A tough night awaits Cech in Turkey.
John Terry, whose last gasp winner against Everton made sure the Blues remain in pole position in the title race should play alongside Gary Cahill in the heart of the defence. Both the centre backs have to be aware that they aren’t dragged out of position thanks to the Turkish side’s passing fluency and dynamism up front. Branislav Ivanovic will start on the right and should look to barge up front on every occasion to put pressure on the opposing wingers. Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea’s stand out player in recent weeks, should probably play ahead of Ashley Cole at left back.
It will be interesting to see what Mourinho does to his central defensive partnership, opting for last week’s goal provider Frank Lampard or the energetic Brazilian Ramires. David Luiz is certainly an option too. However, Judging by Mourinho’s big game tactics, it should be a defensive line-up including the likes of Ramires, Luiz and either of Lampard or Mikel in the heart of the Chelsea engine with the creative Oscar pushed to the bench.
Fernando Torres is expected to lead the front line as the Spaniard who started on the bench against Everton makes a comeback into the playing eleven. Samuel Eto’o flattered to deceive the past few weeks and will be on the bench alongside the forgotten Demba Ba. On the wings it should be the energetic Belgian, Hazard on the left flank and Willan on the other side.
Rodrigo Bentancur, the 26-year-old Uruguayan international, is currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur. He joined the…
Dejan Kulusevski is a 24-year-old winger playing for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and the…
James Maddison is an England international who is currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur. The 27-year-old…
Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing you in the game like never before. If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for first-timers: Secure Tickets Early Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and securing tickets early for the best experience. …
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…