GAMEDAY!!! COME ON CHELS!!!

This will be Chelsea's ninth major European semi-final appearance in the Abramovich era (since 2003/04); no club has appeared in more since then (Barcelona also nine).

The last five matches (hopefully not four) is a defining moment for Sarri's first season in charge. If he manages to get us into the next season's CL, one way or the other, that would be a decent and acceptable finish to an otherwise unspectacular season.

If he fails to finish in the top four or win the EL, I'll find it hard to justify him staying on as a manager. We were lucky that our nearest rivals started struggling closer to the season's end but we can't keep slipping up ourselves and need to take advantage of the situation. A trophy would be a nice bonus, and a huge boost for Sarri himself.

I'm fairly confident, I didn't much enjoy the sloppiness in our last European game though, shame we don't have CHO but Pedro and Giroud have been playing really well in this tournament, so I'm confident they'll put the work in. 

There shouldn’t be much to worry about here if we even half show up.

 I’d rather play Valencia than Arsenal just because we will show them too much respect, PL teams know us better and seem to know how to beat us even if we are better. 

Then again breaking arsenal hearts in the final and finishing top 4 as well would be fun. 

P.s anyone seen our new home kit, why do we always get f**ked over when it comes to kits? Not worthy of its own thread...

 

 

The team some of you predicted. It's a good job Hazard is there because that bench is dire otherwise if we need a goal.

Come on Chelsea ! One hour and a bit to kick off. A little bit surprised by Hazard on the bench given the fact that we are playing for a place in a final, but hope he will come on in the second half

All on Ruben and Giroud then.

Here is another line-up sheet, but with the Eintracht Players included

 

Pleased Hazard is rested. He’s going to be crucial this weekend.

It will be interesting to watch Jovic, supposed to be the next elite striker.

One eye on Watford for sure. The league is arguably the "easiest" route to top four right now. If E.Frankfurt are as good as has been said, then we will be in for a tough game tonight. I hope we can come away with at least one goal and clean sheet. 

I think it's a big risk resting Hazard in a semi final. I think we are at the stage now where we should be playing our best players in every game. I know the game against Watford is important, but this one is just as big for me. 

Honestly surprised we're not seeing Hazard, I was expecting him to feature the next 5 (hopefully 5) matches. I figured we need him the most for the final stretch, but hopefully gets this right and they get a result!

Hazard on the bench! Not a good call imo. Away goals are critical tonight. 

well if he is needed lets hope he comes on before the 80th minute

Good psychology to have Hazard on the bench. Got to keep him fresh for the run in as well. COYBIB

I expect we will see Hazard brought on around the hour mark.  Willian with the knock against Man U and Pedro rarely plays a full 90.

Could go either way. it'll be a boost for Frankfurt seeing him on the bench but if we keep it tight and tire them out he might have a field day later in the game.

We only have 5 games left, why not play hazard?

Maybe we are keeping Hazard fresh for his final game at Stamford Bridge ?

3 minutes ago, DidierDrogbalala said:

Maybe we are keeping Hazard fresh for his final game at Stamford Bridge ?

Could we be. 

 

Or Sarri wants his best defensive front line. 

Or he hates Giroud so have given cannot score/wont scored as his support.

Disappointed there's no hazard, but it's going to be another tough week. Maybe we are going for a more pragmatic approach, clean sheet, maybe nick a goal, and have hazard fresh for Watford and the return leg. 

Haller and Rebic missing for Frankfurt aswell tonight, so I'm pretty confident we can get a result, and then finish the tie in a weeks time.

I think it will be draw, though I got the Barca and 'Pool game very wrong last night.