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Schalke have hung on for a vital point at Stamford Bridge, drawing with Chelsea 1-1.
In the context of Group G, this is a huge result for the Germans, who put behind their poor Bundesliga form to take away a result that few would have expected.
In truth, Chelsea have only themselves to blame, as their poor finishing cost them. Not even the arrival of Diego Costa could save them in the end, as chance after chance went begging for the Blues.
While disappointing, Jose Mourinho’s team also began with a draw at Basel last season, and went through easily. In the slightly easier group they have in Group G, they will see this as a minor setback.
They still have both Maribor and Sporting CP to face, and they both present less challenging opposition than Schalke.
FINAL SCORE:
Chelsea 1
Schalke 1
High flying Chelsea will begin their European campaign this season as they host German side Schalke 04 at Stamford Bridge. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:30am (AEST) on Thursday morning.
Having been drawn in last season’s group stage, where Chelsea amassed six goals to none, the visit of Schalke should hold no fears for Jose Mourinho’s men.
Truth be told, it is the Germans that should be sweating at what may transpire, given Chelsea’s imperious start to the season.
Having managed to incur a profit in the transfer market despite purchasing both Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas and reclaiming Thibaut Courtois, as well as their four from four start to the Premier League, Chelsea have begun season 2014/15 as Europe’s form team.
An added boost came with their placing in Group G, where the Blues stand strong favourites in a group featuring Schalke, Sporting CP of Portugal and Slovenian champions Maribor.
In short, Chelsea have it all to win every trophy this season, and no manager does confident swagger like Jose Mourinho.
If seeing Diego Costa take to English football wasn’t good enough news, then the influence of Fabregas on Chelsea’s approach has brought on the beautiful football that Roman Abramovich has craved for a decade.
But the real good news story may come from the bench in veteran Didier Drogba. His last act in Chelsea colours in Europe was to kick the winning penalty that sealed them Champions League glory in 2012. If nothing of the above were positive omens, then the Ivorian’s mere presence may convince that further good times are in short order.
Getting a draw at Stamford Bridge may be considered a success for Schalke, given last season’s travails against this opponent, as well as bouncing back from a disappointing 4-1 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach on the weekend.
Aside from boasting World Cup winner Benedikt Hoewedes in central defence (a key man if ever there was), the Germans will likely rely on the likes of Joel Matip in defensive midfield to deny Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Andre Schuerrle of the space they will look to occupy.
If Schalke can exploit a weakness, it may come in Chelsea’s defence, where youngster Julian Draxler and evergreen finisher Klaas-Jan Huntelaar may find joy around a central defence of Gary Cahill and John Terry, if they can find a way past Nemanja Matic that is.
For this reason, Schalke boss Jens Keller may opt to start both Matip as well as new signing Dennis Aogo to nullify Chelsea’s threat. But many teams come to Stamford Bridge looking to defend and fail, and few have had to face a Chelsea team so high in confidence and playing ruthless, attacking football.
If Keller and Schalke find a way, that may be the first speed bump in what is so far a flawless start for Chelsea.
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