Chelsea v Porto match preview

Tonight Chelsea take on Porto in the Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti will take the reigns as Chelsea coach for the first time in the Champions League competition and tonight he has a weakened squad to choose from. Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa are both banned following the outcome of the Barcelona enquiry last season. Joe Cole, Paolo Ferreira, Yuri Zhirkov & Deco are injured so youngsters Borini, Bruma and Hutchinson are drafted into the Squad.



Tonight is chance for Chelsea to get a win on the board and an important first three points but as usual in the Champions League it will be no easy task. Like alot of teams in the Champions League that come to Stamford Bridge, they will look to get men behind the ball and more or less say to Chelsea "break us down" and so it will be a difficult game for us tonight. Chelsea have established a reputation over the last 6 years or so with us being in 5 semi finals in the last 6 seasons so we are now "big fish" in the competition.


Chelsea have to get good possession of the ball early, get their passing game going and look to play the killer ball in behind their back four for Anelka and possibly Kalou (if he starts with two up front tonight) to run onto and create space. I have no doubts about our quality at the back and in midfield tonight with Carvalho coming in for Ivanovic at centre back with Ivanovic moving to right back to cover the banned Bosingwa and more or less the same midfield that started against Stoke on Saturday.


Its a must win game as every home game is in the Champions League. I can honestly say that with the way we are playing at the moment that it should be three points for us tonight. You have to say that as long as we keep disciplined, keep our focus and pass the ball around the pitch and look for the openings we will be ok.

With Drogba out it will be interesting to see what Ancelotti does tonight, will he blood Danny Sturridge fresh from his goal for the England Under 21's last week or maintain the experienced line up or Anelka and possibly Kalou. Ideally we want to hit the ground running tonight and get 2 or three and take some players off and rest them ahead of the weekend. But as we all know when it comes to Champions League and the aura that surrounds match nights at the Bridge it could be a long time wait for the goal to take three points.

One thing is for sure, when i am sitting here writing my report on the game tomorrow I want to be writing about the first solid three points in the group and not how we let points slip!

Keep the faith and let's get the three points!
KTBFFH & CAREFREE everyone!