Benfica v Chelsea - The Chelsea performance.

Tonight Chelsea take on Benfica in the Champions League Quarter Final first leg and we need a professional performance from the lads tonight, we simply cannot afford another Napoli away type of result.

The thing is, I can't see another Napoli tonight as we have tightened up for the most part under Roberto Di Matteo. We just need to ensure we go with our strongest and rigid back four and to keep Jose Bosingwa as far away from starting this game as possible.

I said in my post yesterday that I would go with David Luiz at right back tonight if Ivanovic isn't fit with Cahill continuing next to JT. However, if Ivanovic is fit, expect Luiz to start next to JT.

Rather than focus on our opponents I just want to focus on Chelsea and what we need to do tonight to grind out a result. Along with playing our strongest defence, we need that holding midfielder or two to do their jobs tonight. To defend and protect our back four, not give away silly free kicks that put us under pressure and to get hold of possession.

Romeu could be involved tonight along with Mikel but I think due to experience, Michael Essien will be given the nod once more. Whether or not he plays next to Mikel is another thing. I see no shame in going back to the 4-2-3-1 formation and playing two holding midfielders tonight.

We then need to ensure we get our midfield right. Mata needs to be heavily involved and whether or not he starts out wide or inside will depend on selection of others around him. We have seen Ramires playing wide in recent weeks and I do expect him to remain there. I am hoping that Lampard gets the nod over Raul Meireles tonight purely because of his big game experience and is natural ability to arrive late in the box. We need to try and nick a goal or two and Lampard could be key.

Up front will be the biggest decision with Torres, Drogba and Sturridge the options for the manager. My heart wants Torres starting because of his work rate but my head indicates that Drogba will start to lead the line and hold the ball up bringing midfielders into play. Whoever starts needs to be up and at it!.

Chelsea come into this one as favourites and rightly so. We need to remain solid at the back, dominate the ball and possession and create chances. We cannot afford a Napoli result or the same performance we saw against Spurs last weekend!.

We have a chance to take a massive step into the semi-finals so come on Chelsea, we up and at it from the start and give us the performance and result we want tonight!



KTBFFH!

Check out my blog posts on the Official Chelsea Website - http://bit.ly/mRUOqw
Follow me and my blog on Twitter - http://bit.ly/gP9Dwt
Follow the blog on Facebook - http://www.blogger.com/htCheck%20out%20tp://on.fb.me/i5OTbj
Grab my RSS Feed - http://bit.ly/ijgiIT
Sign up to my email updates - http://bit.ly/eTEVrt
My YouTube Channel - http://bit.ly/giLSqr
Grab your Chelsea FC Fan App on Android.
Grab your KTBFFH True Blue app for IPHONE/IPAD here.