PREVIEW: Chelsea v FC Copenhagen. An easy win and Torres first goal?.
Tonight, Chelsea take on FC Copenhagen in the second leg of our round of 16 match after beating them 2-0 away in the first leg . On a cold ...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2011/03/preview-chelsea-v-fc-copenhagen-easy.html
Tonight, Chelsea take on FC Copenhagen in the second leg of our round of 16 match after beating them 2-0 away in the first leg. On a cold night out there, Nicolas Anelka scored twice to give us a fantastic chance to progress into the Quarter Final draw on Friday. Carlo Ancelotti has spoken of rotation ahead of the game tonight, but we need to ensure we do not rotate too much and get the job done.
The focus will be on Fernando Torres once again. The Sun as usual when it comes to Chelsea, have had their "take" on him possibly being rested tonight and claim he will be dropped. So we are left wondering exactly how much will Carlo decide to rotate the side tonight.
We know David Luiz is ineligible, and Alex isn't quite ready for a start tonight so you can pretty much predict Chelsea's defence being Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry and possibly Cole but Zhirkov may come in to give Ash a prolonged rest. That along with Luiz would be the only change I believe Ancelotti will consider.
In the middle tonight's game gives Mikel a chance to come in and stake a claim to get his place in the side back. I know we have only had a couple of games so far this month and have had full weeks to prepare for each game, but I think Ancelotti will give Essien and rest and go with Ramires and Lampard ahead of Mikel.
I am saying there maybe a three in the middle tonight because I believe it's a chance for Ancelotti to revert back to our tried and trusted formation and then if he is dropped to the bench, a chance for Torres to come on later in the game playing through the middle on his own.
I think Carlo will go with Malouda left, Drogba through the middle and Anelka wide right as part of three up front. For me, I would go 4-3-3 with this strong side to get a couple of early goals to put the game to bed and to use the rest of the game to try different things.
I do not want to be disrespectful to Copenhagen in any way at all, but they have their work cut out for them. Again though, this is the Champions League and we cannot afford to take things for granted. That's why I would go with Mikel in front of the back four to provide cover to allow our front five of Lampard, Ramires, Malouda, Drogba and Anelka to get forward and create chances.
If we are good enough tonight to get a few goals then we can then look at swapping Torres for Drogba and putting him through the middle as per my argument about his best position on here the other day. We could give Josh a run out in place of Lampard or Ramires and Michael Essien the same later on in the game.
Compared to the other games we have watched in the last couple of weeks, we were lucky with our draw and have a fantastic opportunity to progress. On paper we should stroll through this one at a canter but like I said we need to be professional and get the job done.
Also the game tonight provides Carlo and the players with the right preparation for Sunday's massive game with City. A chance to try one or two different things and to keep players fresh which is something the likes of Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United haven't been able to do.
Let's be honest here, we should win this and beat them by a hat full. I cannot really see Copenhagen posing us much of a threat or a sustained threat to concern me about going through to the next round. It really could be a case of how many goal will we score tonight.
A big win and a good performance is what's needed and I have a feeling that if he does start or come off the bench, tonight could be Mr Torres first goal for Chelsea. Wouldn't it be nice in front of the Matthew Harding ahead of City on Sunday!.
Chelsea to win easily 4-0 and let's hope he scores!
KTBFFH.