Allen Hamilton
What: Champions League (Round of 16)
Who: Chelsea (2) vs FC Copenhagen (0) (First leg scores in brackets)
When: Wednesday 16th March, 2011, 19:45 UK time
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Finishing Off the Job
The first leg in Denmark couldn’t have gone any better for Chelsea as the Blues looked in total control throughout the 90 minutes. Also encouraging for manager Carlo Ancelotti will have been the sight of Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka linking up well – the duo will worry every defence left in the competition, not just FC Copenhagen’s.
Indeed, the picture for Chelsea is much changed from when the side travelled to the Parken Stadium. Then Ancelotti’s side were battling to remain in the Premier League’s top four and not looking like rescuing a season that had gone seriously off the rails. A win over FC Copenhagen however kicked off a run of two fine league displays, with Manchester United beaten first and then a potentially tricky away game at Blackpool dominated. The Blues were suddenly talking about the title once more.
But Ancelotti knows the Champions League remains Chelsea’s most realistic chance of silverware this season and it is the trophy that the Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich craves the most. And while finishing FC Copenhagen off may look an easy task, it may be the manner of the display that sets the tone for the remainder of Chelsea’s Champions League campaign.
Playing for Pride?
Despite coasting to the Danish Superliga title, FC Copenhagen have found that taking on Europe’s best is a much harder proposition. With a lead of 19 points over second placed Odense BK, the capital city club will be keen to win back a little pride against Chelsea and then focus on domestic matters.
In truth, having navigated a group containing Barcelona, Panathinaikos and Rubin Kazan, FC Copenhagen have already overachieved by making it into the Round of 16 in the Champions League. And the Danes hope that, given the ease of their first leg win, Chelsea underestimate them in the second leg, for that could well be their only hope.
"They will most certainly", said Bjarne Goldbaek, a former FC Copenhagen fan favourite and Chelsea player, to the question of whether the English side will underestimate the Danes. "They won relatively easily with the 2-0 result at Parken and they could believe it will be a walkover on Wednesday. They figure that they are more or less in the quarter-finals and FC Copenhagen could get their chance if they can get ahead 1-0. If this happens, then the thought will spread in the players’ minds that anything can happen in football."
Recent form
Chelsea:
FC Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea
(22/02; Champions League)
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
(01/03; Premier League)
Blackpool 1-3 Chelsea
(07/03; Premier League)
FC Copenhagen:
FC Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea
(22/02; Champions League)
FC Midtylland 2-0 FC Copenhagen (06/03; Superliga)
AaB Aalborg 0-1 FC Copenhagen (12/03; Superliga)
Key absences
Chelsea: Alex (doubt), Yuri Zhirkov, Yossi Benayoun
FC Copenhagen: None
Players to watch
Chelsea – Petr Cech: With Chelsea undoubtedly the superior side on paper, Cech’s role could indeed be key. The Blues’ keeper is unlikely to be troubled for most of the night, but FC Copenhagen should test the Czech Republic man at some point and, when that time comes, Cech will need to be ready. Should Chelsea go a goal behind, then the nerves could start jangling for the Blues’ players. Cech can ensure that does not happen.
FC Copenhagen – Christian Bolanos: A tricky Costa Rican right winger, Bolanos will need to shine if the Danes are to have any chance of causing what would be a huge upset by winning at Stamford Bridge and qualifying for the quarter-finals. On the scoresheet on Saturday, the 26-year-old’s strike proved to be the winner in a fiercely fought Superliga game against AaB Aalborg. Bolanos will hope coach Stale Solbakken gives him the nod to get stuck into Chelsea.
Match Prediction
Chelsea coasted to a first leg victory and it is hard to see FC Copenhagen troubling them at Stamford Bridge. But the Danes have nothing to lose and highly motivated may fancy their chances of making the night an uncomfortable one for the hosts. Nevertheless, should Ancelotti’s side score early then this could be a repeat of the match at the Parken Stadium. Chelsea 2-0 FC Copenhagen.
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