Chelsea v Galatasaray (CL) 18/03/14 KO 19:45 GMT

[axman2526]

First and foremost hope Didier gets a tremendous reception, he deserves no less.

 

Could do with bouncing back here and would be nice to get through to the next round.

 

Not got much more to say on this one other than that, hopefully is a beautiful occasion and we get through to the last 8.

[axman2526]

Well ok, I am trying to let go of my disappointment and frustration to look forward to this game.

 

I will be out of work on time to catch this, have a half day. So getting to see the return of Didier to the Bridge will be something special.

 

I am interested to know how MvG return is going, and wonder if he could be an option for the bench (I know I know far too soon, just wishful thinking).

 

Hopefully David Luiz is back for this game, could do with him back in midfield.

 

Cech

 

Brana, Cahill, JT, Azpi,

 

Luiz/Mikel, Lampard

 

Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle 

 

Etoó

 

Lampard and Schurrle need the minutes ahead of Arsenal, can use Willian and Ramires later to save legs if need be.

 

Hopefully this is a good game, could do with something to lift the spirits as I am quite flat at the mo.

[FLYMJ]

Ramires and Willian will definitely start

[cfcblue]

another close encounter ... I think we will go thro' ... but can see this going to the wire ...

[turnyitb]

3-0 up last minute Drogba scores a screamer and we raise the roof ;-)

[ForeverCarefree]

This isn't going to be an easy match at all, we really need the attacking players to up their game for this one.

 

I would be tempted to leave out Ramires after his idiotic tackle in the Villa game but with Matic cup tied it would feel like cutting of our nose to spite our face.

 

Also with Ramires suspended for the Arsenal game I would be tempted to not start Lampard as I think we are going to need him for that game.           

 

 

 

                Cech

 

Ivan - Cahill - Terry - Dave

 

        Ramires - Mikel

 

   Willian - Oscar - Hazard

 

                 Eto'o

[axman2526]

This isn't going to be an easy match at all, we really need the attacking players to up their game for this one.

 

I would be tempted to leave out Ramires after his idiotic tackle in the Villa game but with Matic cup tied it would feel like cutting of our nose to spite our face.

 

Also with Ramires suspended for the Arsenal game I would be tempted to not start Lampard as I think we are going to need him for that game.           

 

 

 

                Cech

 

Ivan - Cahill - Terry - Dave

 

        Ramires - Mikel

 

   Willian - Oscar - Hazard

 

                 Eto'o

We have needed that for a while and, baring the one second half cameo from Schurrle, we have not seen anything of the sort. Even Hazards game is beginning to drain away because so much is expected of him every game as Willian and Oscar cannot produce the end product at the mo.

[ForeverCarefree]

We have needed that for a while and, baring the one second half cameo from Schurrle, we have not seen anything of the sort. Even Hazards game is beginning to drain away because so much is expected of him every game as Willian and Oscar cannot produce the end product at the mo.

 

Willian's offered very little offensively all season, his pot shots from 20+ yards out against Villa did nothing more then concede possession and it's frustrating to watch he's still not living up to that £30m transfer fee for me. 

 

Oscar's looked off the pace for about a month for us, Mourinho keeps subbing/dropping him so he's clearly aware of his form but why Schurrle isn't getting a run in the team to find some form ahead of either of those two is lost on me.

 

Yes he is a lot more raw those those two but things happen he he plays, his runs are more intelligent and his directness creates better goal scoring chances... Personally I would let him start the next three games to see if he can influence things more.

 

Teams are doubling up on Hazard and because Dave rarely ever overlaps it's making it easy for the opposition to do that so you've either got to give Dave more attacking license to pull the defenses open but risk being more exposed defensively or the other two attacking players have to take more responsibility and make something happen but right now none of them look like making that happen. 

[Veeria]

I think it's gonna be very tight and will be won on a solid defence rather than a good attacking display, I can even see a JT or Ivan goal from a corner being the difference. It will be a tough game but at the same time it will be very disappointing if we don't go through, shouldn't be any excuses not to be in the hat for the QF.

[axman2526]

You are right FC, but Jose picks Willian and Oscar not for their ability to produce in the final third, but for them to help us defend better so we can try and nick a 1-0 game.

 

Against an Arsenal or Liverpool it makes sense, as they should leave space at the back we could exploit on the counter, but against the other sides who will keep it tight and offer little I would suggest a front 3 of:

 

Salah---Hazard----Schurrle

 

Would offer us far more attacking threat and pace, could have Matic and Luiz/Mikel behind them to defend since our deep midfield offer no goal threat anymore without Lamps.

 

But we will not see that tried sadly, Salah will start getting chances next season.

[PloKoon13]

Several legends will be on the pitch, however I feel like Super Frank will be the one to make the difference.

[enigma]

We will be without matic which is a loss. Hopefully luiz is fit otherwise we need to rely on mikel to play that role.

[theblueone]

I too hope to see Drogba get a fantastic reception for this one. For the match itself he is an opponent but I can't hide my excitement to see him on the Stamford Bridge pitch again. Its a great opportunity for us to remind him just how appreciated he is at this club.

Definitely going to be another physical match like the last one. If we do play Ramires, I hope he doesn't let Saturdays frustrations boil over into this game.

A bit ambitious given our offensive record this season, but I am hoping for another 5 goals against them as we did many moons ago. As someone said above, if we're winning comfortably, I wouldn't object too much to Drogba striking home a beauty in the closing minutes for old times sake.

[evissy]

Big game lads! A win here could boost the morale and see us find top form for our first title decider against Arsenal

[Mike Carefree]

Did i hear Gala fans have managed to get tickets for the chelsea section ?

[Hemel Blue]

Same team as Forever Carefree and hope the linesman knows the offside law ffs. COME ON YOU BLUES!

[felipeluis_4]

Well: 

------------cech---------------

bran--cahill--terry--Dave--

-------Ramires--Luiz--------

---schurrle--oscar--hazard--

----------etoo-----------------

 

everybody needs to up their attacking performance...  Azpilicueta should join the attack more instead of bran

Lampard needs to rest for the arsenal game

Edited March 18, 2014 by felipeluis_4

[ForeverCarefree]

Ah, good old Metro.

 

I did have a smile to myself when flicking through the paper this morning, let's see if you can spot the mistake with their "probable" line up for tonight's game... No wonder they give that paper away for nothing.

 

"Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Hazard, Willian, oscar, Ramires, Matic, Torres"

 

http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/17/chelsea-v-galatasaray-the-lowdown-on-the-key-champions-league-last-16-clash-4620770/

[bluelion111]

Read somewhere RDM is doing a live twitter thing during the match, could be interesting for those of you on there.

[Blueblur]

Ah, good old Metro.

 

I did have a smile to myself when flicking through the paper this morning, let's see if you can spot the mistake with their "probable" line up for tonight's game... No wonder they give that paper away for nothing.

 

"Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Hazard, Willian, oscar, Ramires, Matic, Torres"

 

http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/17/chelsea-v-galatasaray-the-lowdown-on-the-key-champions-league-last-16-clash-4620770/

 

I saw that too! Matic is ineligible!

 

Where's my medal?

[ForeverCarefree]

I saw that too! Matic is ineligible!

 

Where's my medal?

 

[Blueblur]

 

Hahahahaha but i'll take what I can get.

 

I'm guessing Mikel will take Matic's place tonight, or possibly Lamps.

[ForeverCarefree]

Hahahahaha but i'll take what I can get.

 

I'm guessing Mikel will take Matic's place tonight, or possibly Lamps.

 

I think Lampard will start against Arsenal so might sit this one out tonight, I think Mourinho will be wary of Sneijder dropping deep to receive the ball and dictating play so I think he will be slightly more cautious with his selection and go with Mikel. 

[i-like-to-munich]

Read somewhere RDM is doing a live twitter thing during the match, could be interesting for those of you on there.

Lets see if we manage to crash twitter like we crashed sky sports switchboard when RDM was on there a few months ago. 

Emotional game tonight. It was always on the cards that the draw would throw this fixture up, and while 99.9% of the media and fans of the other clubs will be willing Drogba to knock us out the competition i think we will get the job done. Lets send the turks back home nursing a proper Stamford bridge hammering, and they can ram that mllwall flag up their arse's. KTBFFH.

[1905.]

4-3-3 for me

 

Cech, Ivan, Cahill, Terry, Azpillicueta, Luiz, Ramires, Lampard, Schurrle, Hazard, Eto'o