Big Ears MSK Zilina v Chelsea Preview
By dixon9
September 15 2010
So Big Cup, Big Ears, Champions League, Corrupt Cup (whatever you prefer to call it) returns this evening with an away trip to the Stadium Pod Dubnom against MSK Zilina. Who? Well, actually we have history (yes, we do!) against this club, playing against them in this very competition under the Tinkerman himself and beating them in a qualifying round to go through to the competition proper.
The pundits have already claimed that this is the year Ancelotti will have to make a full-blooded attempt at bringing Europe’s premier trophy back to London for the first time in its history. It has also often been said that “You aren’t truly a big club until you have won the European Cup!” – a statement that I’m inclined to agree with (although the problem we have in doing just that is that besides playing at 110% and having that all important bit of luck, we also have to hope that UEFA don’t put any more “obstacles” in our way).
Team News
Ancelotti has once again taken the step of already naming the side (Why he does this I don’t know! Anyone heard him comment on this?).
Lampard is out still after recently recovering from his hernia operation but Terry rather predictably, reckons he’s fit despite suffering from a broken leg, groin strain, cruciate ligament problems and being sprayed with bullets from an AK47 (actually no, he’s over his bruised rib).
Sturridge, who has been quietly champing at the bit, gets a start as Drogba is suspended for being a naughty boy last season. Zhirkov can brush out the cobwebs as Ashley Cole is being rested due to an ankle problem (although personally I’d prefer to see Zhirkov in a more pronounced attacking role). Malouda also returns to start after being on the bench against West Ham.
Benayoun starts with Ramires on the bench although I “would just love it” if Kakuta got some decent match time in.
The Tussles
Finally, The Independent have come up with a rather useful “Key Battles” piece for tonight’s game: The first is Jez v Essien – “inspirational dangerman” against “powerhouse”, followed by Ceesay v Terry – “Interesting tussle” and “tall, pacy marksman” v slightly crocked Chelsea captain…and apparently Ceesay almost joined us in 2008. Finally, Oravec v Alex – Alex will have to stay really tight on the Slovakian striker who boasts a “strong shot and great vision”.
Chelsea team: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Zhirkov, Essien, Benayoun, Mikel, Sturridge, Malouda, Anelka. Subs (from): Turnbull, Hilario, Ferreira, Ramires, Kalou, Kakuta, Van Aanholt, Bruma.
Ancelotti quotes:
On Cole (sadly, no differentiation is required):
“Ashley Cole stays out because I want to give him a rest. He played two games with the national team, played Saturday, and I will give him a rest.”
On Sturridge:
'He trained very well last year. He improved a lot and I think that it is the time for him to play with us and show his quality.
'He has fantastic ability, he is quick and able with the ball and it is time for him to put his power on the pitch for us.
'He has different skills compared to Drogba but he has fantastic skills. I have never seen a striker as quick as he is.'
On Zhirkov:
'His future is here in Chelsea. He is a good player, he knows that in top teams there is a lot of competition to play and for this reason he has to improve but he will have the possibility to play a lot of games this year because we are involved in a lot of competitions and I need all the players fit and ready to play.'
On Zilina:
'Zilina is a good team. I saw the game against Sparta Prague; they deserved to move on [in the competition]. They have very good organisation defensively and ability up front and we have to pay attention to this.'
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There will be nothing untoward going on in the Group stages (unless we muck it up ourselves) until the knock out stages then Platini will start getting on his mobile phone barking out his orders.
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