With the Blues current performances in the league, many are writing them off in tonight’s Champions League knockout stage first leg fixture against Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo.
Truth be said, Chelsea have a mountain to climb in Italy tonight and if reports doing the rounds stating that AVB will start Torres are true, i would urge all Chelsea fans to expect another disappointing outcome.
In fact, Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has issued a warning to the Blues promising to ‘shoot them down’. The Uruguayan international who seems to be holding a grudge with English opposition made himself absolutely clear in an interview with the Daily Star that they are out to eliminate Chelsea.
“This is a great chance for us to wreck English football,” Cavani said.
“They have such a reputation but this year they have failed and we intend to make things far worse for the English clubs by beating Chelsea.
“We do not fear Chelsea, so we are confident that we can eliminate the last English team. We are not suggesting that this will be easy, but, with the way we have been playing, we are very optimistic.
“We feel that they are not the same club without John Terry playing, so we will be hoping that he is not fit for the game.”
I have to agree with Cavani’s last sentiments, with Terry out and Drogba starting from the bench, Napoli have the perfect chance to inflict damage on the Blues early in the game.
Looking at Chelsea’s line up, it is hard to see where the Blues will get their creative spark to lift them over Napoli. Villas-Boas has opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Cech in goal, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill and Bosingwa in defense, Essie, Meireles and Ramires make up the midfield while Mata, Sturridge and Torres will lead Chelsea’s attack.
Mazzarri on the other hand will play a 3-4-2-1 formation with De Sanctis in goal, Aronica, Campagnaro, Cannavaro in defense, Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena in midfield with Hamsik, Lavezzi behind Cavani who will be the lone striker.
That said, Cavani will have to make good on his promise and ensure that all this talk was not just hot air when the two teams finally take to the pitch. Personally, i see Napoli winning this tie 2-1 but Chelsea will still go through as the overall winners. What do you think?
Photo Credit © sergiorojiblanco
