WIll Chelsea Get Their Turkish Delight in Asia?
By Since66
April 1 2008
Chelsea hasn't just travelled to Turkey to play Fenerbache in the 1st leg of the Champions League on Wednesday, Chelsea has travelled to Asia where Fenerbache's Sukru Saracoglu stadium is situated - North of Istanbul in Kadikoy and in the district of Fenerbache from where Chelsea's opponents have taken their name.
A previous visit to Turkey when we battered Galatasaray 5-0 back in 1999 was in the European side of the city. The game against Besiktas was played on neutral ground at the Gelsenkirchen stadium, home to Schalke 04. Chelsea meet an old friend tomorrow night in Mateja Kezman, who couldn't score a Chelsea goal to save his life, but was adored by the 'Blue' faithful and was well supported and loved. Unfortunately press reports this morning suggests that Kezza has slagged off his former employers. Chelsea also have to face up to well-documented target in Brazilian Roberto Carlos, who left 'The Galacticos' last Summer to move to Asia. Another player that may not be so well-known is Colin Kazim-Richards who I saw on TV during 'European's Winter break recently claiming that he only left Sheff Utd to join Fenerbache purely for the Champions League. Fenerbache are managed by another Brazilian and what a legend he his - Zico!! Will Anelka get a welcome home from the Fenerbache fans? Anelka joined Fenerbache in January 2005 and helped the club to win the Turkish league, then in the following season Anelka and Fenerbache finished bottom of their Champions League group. At the end of the 2006 season after Fenerbache conceded their title to fierce rivals Galatasaray, Anelka left and joined Bolton Wanderers from where he signed for Chelsea during January's transfer window. There is good news and bad news tonight on the eve of the game. The bad news first is that Petr Cech HASN'T travelled, so the 2nd Best Goalkeeper in the Premiership Carlo Cudicini, looks set to retain his place. The good news is that Super Frank has recovered from his bout of illness and trained in the Stadium tonight (incidentally Fenerbache is two hours ahead of UK time). If both sets of players react to the words of their coaches at Tuesday evening's pre-match conference we could all be in for an entertaining game on Wednesday night. Grant said "We always try to play our game but we are not playing alone on the field. Sometimes we need to react to what the other team do - but when you come to the last 16, any team is a good team. Fenerbache score a lot of goals and they play good football." "We try all the time to combine both winning and good football and although you can't do it all the time, if you play good, you have more chance to qualify. We will try to do both but the most important thing is after these two games to be in the semi-final." Although Chelsea's arrival in Turkey was mute to say the least, Grant recalled the last time he went to Fenerbache as manager of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. He said "We came here three hours before the game and the stadium was full. It was a good atmosphere for football, and I expect it (Wednesday) to be the same." For the record, Fenerbache knocked Grant's side out winning 1-0 in Israel and drawing the second leg 1-1, which prompted Grant to say, "Maybe it is a good result for tomorrow, 1-1 here."
I would be very surprised indeed if Kezman did slate us - it´s just not his way and he is VERY religious and humble from what I understand.
But...a ha! I´ve just come across this:
"I understand that Mourinho had problems with the owner. But the manager that they have now does not have Mourinho's qualities. When Mourinho was there, Chelsea was like a machine. Everything ran like clockwork.
"Now, talking to old friends at the club, I understand it's not so good. There are rows on the training pitch, the kind of problems that never would have happened when Mourinho was in charge. Chelsea are still a strong team. Just look at their position in the league. But it is a good time to play them."
Hmmmm...interesting...
Frank will no doubt play although normally after a strong virus it takes longer than a few days to get match fit. I must admit I´m not that comfortable with the way Lampard and Terry get straight in the team even when they aren´t 100%. We have excellent cover now in Ballack and Alex - pity Grant can´t be stronger and rest them so that they DO get 100%. Oh well...
I´m expecting a tight, chess´-like game tomorrow (i.e a bit boring)- hope I´m wrong.
Grant saying 1-1 might be a good result about sums up his unfortunate habit of making gaffs in the press.
Come on Chels!
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
That IS a very good outcome.
I was talking out my behind!
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.