Rant Box: Chelsea v Porto
By: Jack | September 14th, 2009“The first objective is to arrive at the final.”
-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti on this season’s Champions League
The journey begins Tuesday at Stamford Bridge. The Blues welcome FC Porto, a familiar opponent in this competition, to the Bridge for our Group D opener.
As pointed out by CA, anything less than a spot in the final will be seen as a disappointment. We’ve reached the semifinals in five of the last six seasons. We were a spot kick away from a title in 2008. A grotesquely inept official kept us from reaching a second consecutive final just five months ago.
Will it all finally come together for the Blues this term? Only time, and results, will tell.
Team news: Drogba and Bosingwa are out, beginning suspensions stemming from last season’s semifinal debacle. Deco, Joe Cole and Alex are also sidelined. Zhirkov could make his competitive debut, though it’s highly doubtful. Basically, we’re razor thin.
Bruma and Hutchinson likely will make the bench. Could Sturridge be in line for a start alongside Anelka? Will Ancelotti abandon his trusted 4-4-2 now that he’s without the focal point, i.e. Drogba?
Guess we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.
 |
EPL Match Schedule |  |
 |
Discount Travel to London & Chelsea |
| Chelsea Scores |  | Stamford Bridge information & hotels |
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments | Add your comment
-
You guys are still whining about not making the final last year?
Posted from
United States
-
Chelsea, I sincerely wish you the best of luck in the Champions League this year.*
*Unless up against Barcelona…. or Sevilla/Atletico Madrid
Posted from
United States -
Hopefully it is our year this year we are consistently getting to the latter stages and we just need that little extra push or bit of lick
Posted from
United States -
I pray dat almighty allah give us champions league dis year
Posted from
United States -
God please let dis year be chelsea year
Posted from
United States -
Holy frick had no idea UEFA matches were this week. GG seeing whats on Setanta Sports right after class
Posted from
United States -
Man, this has GOT to be our year. . .
Posted from
United States -
Just in case any forgot, Kalou has once again shown that he is absolute crap so far. Essien not looking good today either.
Posted from
United States -
Well, there’s the half. 0-0 and the rain starts to pour. JT is taking notice.
Posted from
United States -
A lot of ball possession and opportunities but No Goal.
I don’t even know why Kalou is part of the team.He sucks beyond the word itself.
Let’s hope someone will score 4 Chelsea in the 2nd half. We absolutely cannot afford a tie in this rather difficult group.Posted from
United States -
Still baffled while Kalou was kept while Di Santo was loaned out. I thought Di Santo showed that he already has tremendous quality, certainly better than Kalou.
Posted from
United States -
Well done Anelka. Great strike, though he probably should have hit it the first time.
Posted from
United States -
For a split second, I thought the ref was Ovrebo. Scared me half to death.
Posted from
United States -
BTW, Hulk = dumbest soccer nickname ever. I’m surprised they let him wear it on his shirt.
Posted from
United States -
We just don’t have that necessary drive today. Kalou, as usual, has been hit or miss. Hulk has impressed me.
Posted from
United States -
Beletti on for Kalou. Cech has been good.
Posted from
United States -
Hulk – Bad name, good player. Lampard seems to not be factoring in much outside the attacking third.
Posted from
United States -
Chelsea get the win, although it was a pretty tense final 15 minutes. Fernando picked up a 2nd yellow/red for a nasty tackle on Cashley at the end, good to see he wasn’t hurt.
Posted from
United States -
APOEL and Atletico have drawn at the Calderon, meaning Chelsea are top of the group.
Posted from
United States -
Well we Won!1:0! We are leading the group since Athletico Madrid was held in Madrid on a 0:0 score by APOEL.
Posted from
United States -
kalou isn’t that bad guys. He was the one who played anelka through for the goal (even though it took him a second attempt). He also had a great header on target, that he was unlucky not to score from b/c of a good save…
Posted from
United States -
I hope Kalou gets better as the season progresses and stays, because if he DOES go to Arsenal i have a feeling Wenger will transform him into a monster.
Posted from
United States -
Kalou’s 2nd half in this game was by far the best he has been this season. I must give him credit. But otherwise this season he has been inept in attack, always disappointing when the ball is at his feet. I hope we see more of the 2nd half play from him as we go along.
Posted from
United States
Leave a Reply
If you have not commented here before, please take a moment to peruse ourCommenting Guidelines.
Home 
