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.

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Category: Champions League, Chelsea Team News, Fixtures, Match Previews, Rant Box

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Haffaze

God please let dis year be chelsea year
Haffaze

God please let dis year be chelsea year
Jon

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.
ph0bolus

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.
ASR

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...
Chelsea

Well we Won!1:0! We are leading the group since Athletico Madrid was held in Madrid on a 0:0 score by APOEL.
Jon

APOEL and Atletico have drawn at the Calderon, meaning Chelsea are top of the group.
Jon

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.
Jon

Hulk - Bad name, good player. Lampard seems to not be factoring in much outside the attacking third.
Jon

Beletti on for Kalou. Cech has been good.
Jack

We just don't have that necessary drive today. Kalou, as usual, has been hit or miss. Hulk has impressed me.
Jon

BTW, Hulk = dumbest soccer nickname ever. I'm surprised they let him wear it on his shirt.
Jack

For a split second, I thought the ref was Ovrebo. Scared me half to death.
Jon

Well done Anelka. Great strike, though he probably should have hit it the first time.
Jon

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.
Chelsea

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.
Jack

Well, there's the half. 0-0 and the rain starts to pour. JT is taking notice.
Jon

Just in case any forgot, Kalou has once again shown that he is absolute crap so far. Essien not looking good today either.
Chris

Man, this has GOT to be our year. . .
Michael Benoit

Holy frick had no idea UEFA matches were this week. GG seeing whats on Setanta Sports right after class
Haffaze

God please let dis year be chelsea year
Haffaze

I pray dat almighty allah give us champions league dis year
Chelsea Shirts

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
Jose

Chelsea, I sincerely wish you the best of luck in the Champions League this year.*

*Unless up against Barcelona.... or Sevilla/Atletico Madrid
Julian

You guys are still whining about not making the final last year?