Chelsea look to stay put amidst drift
7 Nov 2012 6:34 AM IST
After one of their most difficult weeks in recent memory, Chelsea host Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday knowing defeat could send their season cartwheeling towards catastrophe.
The Blues had been cruising prior to the 2-1 loss at Shakhtar in their previous outing in Group E two weeks ago, but they have now won just one of their last four games in all competitions.
Another loss on Wednesday, and Roberto Di Matteo’s side will find themselves confronted by the very real prospect of becoming the first defending champions to fall in the Champions League group phase.
Added to the controversy swirling around Stamford Bridge after the club accused referee Mark Clattenburg of racially abusing midfielder John Mikel Obi, these are delicate days for the European champions.
Having lost 3-2 at Manchester United in the match that sparked the Clattenburg allegations, Chelsea relinquished top spot in the Premier League on Saturday after conceding an 88th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.
Di Matteo said his players had felt ‘tired’ after the thrilling 5-4 defeat of United in the League Cup last week, but he knows that they cannot afford to produce another lethargic showing on Wednesday.
With Juventus expected to take three points at home to Nordsjaelland in the other group encounter, Chelsea must prevail against Shakhtar if they are to avoid getting cut adrift.
‘It’s like a final for us if we want to finish first in our group,’ said Spanish midfielder Juan Mata on his official blog.
John Terry is expected to return to the starting line-up, however, having now completed his four-match domestic ban for racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, and Di Matteo admits that he has been missed.
‘He’s still a fantastic defender and he’s very influential when he plays, and he’s used to those kinds of games as well, big pressure game and big European nights,’ said the Chelsea coach.
At the halfway stage of the group phase, and with a trip to Juventus still to come, Di Matteo says his side must beat Shakhtar and then Nordsjaelland if they are to avoid the humiliation of falling at the first hurdle. ‘We need to win both home games and maybe get something from Turin,’ he said.
Meanwhile Manchester United and Barcelona look to book their berth in the last 16 of the competition.
United travel to Portugal to face Braga as Barca face Scottish giants Celtic in matchday four reversal. Both teams are expected to give these two European giants a tough ride. United and Barca are on nine points each as they seek wins.
The Blues had been cruising prior to the 2-1 loss at Shakhtar in their previous outing in Group E two weeks ago, but they have now won just one of their last four games in all competitions.
Another loss on Wednesday, and Roberto Di Matteo’s side will find themselves confronted by the very real prospect of becoming the first defending champions to fall in the Champions League group phase.
Added to the controversy swirling around Stamford Bridge after the club accused referee Mark Clattenburg of racially abusing midfielder John Mikel Obi, these are delicate days for the European champions.
Having lost 3-2 at Manchester United in the match that sparked the Clattenburg allegations, Chelsea relinquished top spot in the Premier League on Saturday after conceding an 88th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.
Di Matteo said his players had felt ‘tired’ after the thrilling 5-4 defeat of United in the League Cup last week, but he knows that they cannot afford to produce another lethargic showing on Wednesday.
With Juventus expected to take three points at home to Nordsjaelland in the other group encounter, Chelsea must prevail against Shakhtar if they are to avoid getting cut adrift.
‘It’s like a final for us if we want to finish first in our group,’ said Spanish midfielder Juan Mata on his official blog.
John Terry is expected to return to the starting line-up, however, having now completed his four-match domestic ban for racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, and Di Matteo admits that he has been missed.
‘He’s still a fantastic defender and he’s very influential when he plays, and he’s used to those kinds of games as well, big pressure game and big European nights,’ said the Chelsea coach.
At the halfway stage of the group phase, and with a trip to Juventus still to come, Di Matteo says his side must beat Shakhtar and then Nordsjaelland if they are to avoid the humiliation of falling at the first hurdle. ‘We need to win both home games and maybe get something from Turin,’ he said.
Meanwhile Manchester United and Barcelona look to book their berth in the last 16 of the competition.
United travel to Portugal to face Braga as Barca face Scottish giants Celtic in matchday four reversal. Both teams are expected to give these two European giants a tough ride. United and Barca are on nine points each as they seek wins.
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