Champions League preview: Werder Bremen v. Chelsea
Wednesday, 22 November 06, 01:02 PM · Comments (9)
Jose Mourinho has taken just 16 outfield players to Germany.
Missing from the squad are suspended Frank Lampard, Ricardo Carvalho who suffered a twisted ankle against West Ham on Saturday, Salomon Kalou who is still recovering from a knee injury picked up in training, and Wayne Bridge whose wife is expecting a baby.
Mourinho took the unusual step of revealing his line-up at yesterday's pre-match press conference. There will be a starting place for Joe Cole, his first in the Champions League and just his third this season, while Michael Ballack returns after being rested at the weekend and Khalid Boulahrouz replaces the injured Carvalho.
Barcelona will be relieved that Mourinho named a strong side. The Catalans' chances of progressing to the knock-out stages will be helped if Chelsea defeat Bremen, and Mourinho made it clear that he's taking tonight seriously.
"I play to lose only when I play against my kids," he said, "because I want them to be happy.
"After that football is about giving your best and trying to win. You have to respect your opponents, you have to respect the competition, you have to respect yourself.
"We still need something to qualify, we still need something to be first in the group. I know the situation is magnificent and we did very well in these four matches to come here in this very good situation - but football is football and we are going to play the best we can and get the result."
A point would make Chelsea group winners.
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But I thought we were the most despised club in Europe, Jonny... Enjoy the match.
I imagine Ballack has probably helped on that front. Apparently the German football supporting public are obsessed with him.
Was noticeable though that he got a lot of stick from the (mental) Bremen away support at the Bridge at the home tie.
A comfortable 2-0, both goals scored by Shevchenko. A good start to a memorable week. Hopefully.
If Man United's final ball is anything like as bad as it was against Celtic (Watford would give the Hoops a good game, they're that poor), we've got a great chance come Sunday.
Mr. Ballack is indeed still a legend round these parts, and in no small way responsible for the increase in those naming Chelsea as their second team.
The locals seem to have any number of chants for the Bremen folk; quite a few seem to involve references to fish, given their proximity to the coast - so they're as original as English football fans, in other words!
Hmmm, Weissbier...happy memories of nights in Dusseldorf...anyway enough of that. That was a pretty pony performance tonight. Yes we're through but not top of the group yet and it's always a gamble to assume you'll win the last game at home. By anyone's standards Bremen didn't seem that great and I think we missed a trick here. Still Manure on Sunday might be another challenge with both teams losing in Europe and presumably eager to return to winning ways. As for SWP...I've seen enough to think we'll be packing him off to West Ham or similar during January...a swap for Tevez?
I am not interested in todays game as long as Bremen does the job in the next game vs. Barcelona.
On contrary, have you seen tye new Chelsea web site? That is really good web site my friends!!!!!!!
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Providing the United result last night it would be fantastic to win at Bremen tonight so building up momentum for the big one on Sunday.
I don't expect a barnstorming performance but neither do I expect us to lose.
Come on Chels!
Currently in Germany but unfortunately at the wrong end - Munich!
Game is on TV though and the locals seem quite keen for the Blues to stuff their Bundesliga rivals. Could be an entertaining evening. A few 'weissbier' may be consumed...
Come on you blue boys!