Premier League giants Chelsea FC will need to put their domestic woes behind them if they are to upstage Napoli in Italy in the first leg of this Champions League round of 16 tie. Join us for live scores and blog from 6:30am AEDT.
It is fair to say that Chelsea is in a spot of bother heading into a difficult Champions League tie against Napoli.
The English Premier League outfit is on a four-match winless streak which included last week’s meek draw against Birmingham City in the FA Cup.
Napoli, on the other hand, has won their last two matches in Serie A, and were particularly impressive last week when they defeated rivals Fiorentina 3-0.
With a maiden Champions League quarter-final berth on the line, expect Napoli to be full of running early on as they aim to inflict further woe on Chelsea’s stuttering season.
Prediction:
This has the makings of a great contest given that both sides possess some terrific attacking talent.
Napoli’s chances of beating Chelsea at home will largely rest on the performances of strikers Marek Hamsik, Edison Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Cavani has scored 15 goals thus far in the Serie A and has certified himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards.
Hamsik and Lavezzi, meanwhile, are renowned for their speed and creativity out wide, so expect them to really test the positioning and defensive skills of Chelsea duo Jose Bosingwa and Branislav Ivanovic, who are expected to start the match.
Chelsea, however, has a few attacking options of their own, but the form of key striker Fernando Torres remains a huge concern for manager Andres Villas-Boas.
The former Liverpool FC forward has failed to shine for Chelsea since his big money switch from Anfield, and can ill-afford to continue his goal scoring drought on such a big stage.
At his best, Torres is the match winner here for Chelsea but his new reputation as one of Europe’s most expensive flops will continue to grow if he produces another shocker in front of goal against Napoli.
Torres’ Spanish teammate Juan Mata, however, has proven to be a good signing for Chelsea and looks the most likely to give Napoli’s defence problems.
The 23-year-old has had a good season thus far, with his speed and creativity on the wing likely to cause Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro some headaches.
With both teams fairly evenly matched, Napoli’s home ground advantage may just give them the edge against Chelsea this morning.
Chelsea has traditionally struggled in Italy, winning only once in seven visits. Add the fact that Napoli is undefeated at home in the Champions League this season and it appears that the Serie A side are well placed to take a slender advantage into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Napoli to win 2-1.
siab
Guest
Chelsea have done their best and thanks to mata. we were not lucky because john were not here that is why they didint win
Alan
Roar Guru
How do Chelsea regroup from another major setback here? Napoli will give the Premier League outfit some immense troubles at Stamford Bridge, particularly on the counter attack. A lot of soul seaching required now for Chelsea. Napoli deserve this important 3-1 first leg lead and should be favoured to progress to their first ever Champions League quarter-final. Thanks for joining us for this live blog and we look forward to your company tomorrow on The Roar when we cover the Champions League match between Marseille and Inter Milan. Fulltime: Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - Napoli have defeated Chelsea 3-1 here and they take a very important advantage to Stamford Bridge in three weeks time. Chelsea were poor in defence after they had scored the first goal thanks to Mata. Lavezzi and Cavani though were the stars tonight for Napoli as they gave the Chelsea defence nightmares... Final score: Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Napoli with a freekick in a dangerous area now... Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Cavani clears for Napoli as Luiz builds from the back for Chelsea. Lampard with a shot and De Sanctis saves it well. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Three minutes to be added on here as Drogba fails to control a Cole cross. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Mata now with possession for Chelsea. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Napoli win the throw deep in Chelsea territory. Can they get a fourth goal? Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Mata now with another cross but Napoli clear it well. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - Napoli rebuild from the back now as Zuniga goes on a run down the flank. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
86' - Napoli once again open up Chelsea out wide but Pandev hits his shot high and wide. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Drogba in an offside position and Napoli survive. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Drogba wins a freekick for Chelsea in a dangerous area... Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Cavani concedes the throw as Cech clears for Chelsea. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Maggio clears for Napoli but Chelsea have possession with Essien. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
SUBSTITUTION - Hamsik has been subbed now as Chelsea get a goal kick. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE - Maggio's shot is cleared off the line as Cole saves the day for Chelsea. Massive moment there. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Hamsik clears the ball out of the area for Napoli as Chelsea try desperately to scrape a goal Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Napoli concede a freekick and Chelsea can regroup now. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Freekick now for Napoli in a dangerous area. Napoli 3 Chelsea 1