Midfield:
Nemanja Matic is ineligible for the tie having featured with Benfica earlier in the competition, so Mourinho has to start Ramires and Frank Lampard in the middle of the park as the double pivot of his 4-2-3-1 setup. Oscar will start in his favourite number ten role while the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian will look to exchange positions having started out wide for the travelling side. The triumvirate has to make sure they are at their keep of their defensive discipline too, for it might be one of the games, which would be open from the beginning and no team enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
However, being an away game, Mourinho tends to start a defensive lineup which means David Luiz will be involved in the holding role. Luiz alongside Ramires could form the double pivot and Lampard having played in the weekend clash might be pushed to the bench.
Strike Force:
Given Fernando Torres’ horror show against Crystal Palace in the weekend, Mourinho should axe the Spaniard, but the absence of Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o will guarantee a starting spot for Torres, and having a knack of scoring crucial goals, it could be a blessing in disguise for Jose Mourinho.
