Champions League: Chelsea v. Werder Bremen
Tuesday, 12 September 06, 02:11 AM · Comments (4)
Chelsea's Champions League campaign kicks off at Stamford Bridge later this evening with Jose Mourinho dismissing speculation that he might leave Stamford Bridge if Chelsea win the competition.
“I did one mistake in Porto, leaving Porto when I was European champion because I could have won the Intercontinental Cup. I couldn’t because I had left,” he said. “If one day I win the Champions League again, I want to win the Intercontinental Cup and not give [the club] to another manager to win it.”
Joe Cole, out with a knee injury since the pre-season tour of the United States, trained with the first team yesterday and could make the squad, while Claude Makelele is expected to return after being rested for the game against Charlton on Saturday. Arjen Robben has not recovered from a calf muscle problem picked up during the trip to Middlesbrough.
Werder Bremen's Miroslav Klose sustained a thigh injury at the weekend but should recover in time. John Terry will have to be at his best to keep the Golden Shoe winner at the past two World Cups from scoring.
Chelsea haven't won at home in Europe for two games but have won all four opening Champions League fixtures.
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Well, a terrific result without playing devastating football. Essien looked good again, and Bhoularouz (sic) looks to be a great find.
Can't understand why Bridge was dropped though - Ashley Cole looked far from match sharpness and gave the ball away time and again. At least he got 90mins under his belt, but I think we would have won more comfortably had Bridgey been the man delivering crosses from the left.
Nevertheless I have been reading the excerpts from Cole's book with interest. If what he says is true, I think a long hard look at Wenger's management should happen. How the self-proclaimed 'invincibles' deteriorated to such an extent in two years that they apparently have very little team spirit in the dressing room is amazing if true. One of Chelsea's great strengths is the unity of the team, and that has to be one of the strong reasons for our success recently.
Any chance of an article on Cole's revelations?
I think we should be fine on Sunday although would prefer to go into the game with Robben and Cole firing. Don't think the latter is anywhere near fit enough to start.
Lack of width is a bit of a problem at the moment and with Essien and Maka undroppable I imagine we will play exactly the same team as last night.
Very strong in the centre but means the full backs have very little support and a hell of a lot of work to do.
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It's been stated that Joe won't be on tonight's team sheet on the CFCW. I hope we have both him and Arjen back for Sunday to trash the Scousers. We should reclaim the top of the table by the end of the month if we keep ourselves solid, and beat Liverpool, Fulham and Villa, which is easily wihin our squad's capability. United have Arsenal, Reading and Newcastle. Let's pray they drop a point or two somewhere down the line!
OK, it's nice to have been proved wrong. I was glad to see Joe back! We should beat Liverpool comfortably this weekend on their current form.