Benfica v Chelsea, Champions League Quarter Final, K/O 7:45PM, Sky Sports 2

GavRedKing

v

Chelsea could have a fully fit squad for the trip to Portugal. Branislav Ivanovic travelled to Lisbon after missing Saturday's goalless Premier League draw against Tottenham with a thigh strain. Manager Roberto Di Matteo must decide how much to rotate for what is the Blues' third match of a run of seven in 20 days.

Benfica defender Luis Martins makes way for Brazilian midfielder Bruno Cesar, who missed the domestic league match against Olhanense through suspension. First-choice centre-back Ezequiel Garay and January signing Yannick Djalo have returned to training following injury but do not make the cut.

MANAGER QUOTES:

Roberto Di Matteo: "The numbers say that, so there is no point in denying it's been a difficult season. But we have quality in this team and many good players. I still think this Chelsea team is a very good team. I have faith in this team. They've shown they can play at high intensity at a high level, so I'm looking forward to my team doing that again tomorrow. I am positive about the team, but my players are positive too. We have great belief in our abilities. That's what we're going to try and express tomorrow."

Jorge Jesus: "Didier Drogba only knows what he's thinking (after he was seen appearing to mock Benfica during the draw for the quarters). You have to remember that Benfica and Sporting Lisbon eliminated Manchester United and Manchester City, the two top teams in England, from Europe. Any responses we'll be giving to Drogba will be on the field and proving we are better than him."

MATCH FACTS:

Chelsea have reached more Champions League quarter-finals in the last eight seasons - seven - than any other team. Benfica, on the other hand, are among the last eight for only the second time during that period.

Since 2003/04, Chelsea have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League more times than any other side (Barcelona 6).

By winning 4-1 at home to Napoli in the second leg of their CL last 16 tie, Chelsea became only the third English club to lose a European Cup first leg tie by two or more goals & still progress (Man Utd 1957 & Leeds 1992).

The Blues have scored in nine successive European matches for the first time in their history (excl. qualifiers).

Chelsea have not won any of their last five Champions League away games, losing three and drawing two.

Benfica have failed to find the net in just one of their last 17 matches in European competition (excl. qualifiers).

No player has assisted more goals in the Champions League this season than Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitán (5).

Benfica have lost just one of their last eight European home games (excl. quals) against English opposition.

Chelsea have faced Portuguese opposition only six times in the Champions League, all six of which have come against FC Porto. Their record in these games is W4, D1, L1 and they’ve scored in each match.

Didier Drogba has scored four goals Chelsea’s last four Champions League matches.

No side has scored a higher proportion of their goals in the first half of Champions League games this season than Benfica (67%).

Should be an interesting game for us and one I hope we can get at least a score draw from, but as with Chelsea of late, its very hard to redpict who or what will turn up.

Benfica are no push overs and certainly deserve to be where they are in the competition and their fans and impressive stadium will try and unsettle Chelsea early.

Watch out for Axel Witsel for Benfica, hes put in some exceptional performances for the Portguese side this year and is highly reagrded across Europe.

Chelsea :

---

Cech

---

Luiz--Cahill--JT--Cole

---Ramires--Lamps---

Studge--Mata--Kalou

---

Torres

---

Prediction : 1-1

GavRedKing

Being the only English team left in any European competition, I thoiught this thread woudl bring out more closet Benfica fans.

NIMAN

Benfica will be extra motivated after seeing footage of Drogba feigning fear when they got Benfica in the draw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilWhR1TTW1E

GavRedKing

NIMAN wrote: »

Benfica will be extra motivated after seeing footage of Drogba feigning fear when they got Benfica in the draw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilWhR1TTW1E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilWhR1TTW1E

Just incase others cant see it.

thebison

gavredking wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilWhR1TTW1E

Just incase others cant see it.

The rumour is that he was actually reacting to the semi final draw.

That makes more sense as everyone is turning away from the TV to suggest the draw was finished.

GavRedKing

thebison wrote: »

The rumour is that he was actually reacting to the semi final draw.

That makes more sense as everyone is turning away from the TV to suggest the draw was finished.

Ya I think people are taking it out of context, it isnt as bad as John Delaney when Ireland got Estonia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxZ-CNzVYk0

NIMAN

Well to be fair to Delaney, history proves he was right to have a giggle.

They were dung.

GavRedKing

NIMAN wrote: »

Well to be fair to Delaney, history proves he was right to have a giggle.

They were dung.

True, but still it got a reaction over in Estonia, nobody wants the supposed bigger team taking the piss that they've got an easier draw and the sight of Delaney and his smug face made me feel a bit ashamed.

GavRedKing

On topic, Luiz to score tonight and not celebrate at all.

GavRedKing

David Luiz and Ramires on the Benfica game from the Chelsea site.

www.chelseafc.com

Before moving to Chelsea, David Luiz enjoyed a four-year spell at Benfica which saw him become one of the most sought after defenders in Europe, but as the Brazilian prepares for an emotional return to the club where he made his name, securing a Champions League semi-final for his current employers remains his sole focus.

The flamboyant 24-year-old joined the Portuguese club in 2007, and became an integral part of a side which lifted their first domestic title in five years at the end of the 2009/10 campaign, before making the switch to Stamford Bridge in January 2011, and while he will be pleased to see some familiar faces tomorrow night, winning, as he admitted, is all that matters.

'To be back to a team where I was received so well, I'm happy to be back and I want to play a good match tomorrow,' he insisted.

'I had a good run from the first day I was presented as a Benfica player, we will be mates until the referee starts the match but then their players will become adversaries, and it will be a fight to the end.'

Buoyed by that dramatic comeback against Napoli in the previous round, the Blues will head into the game in a positive frame of mind, but a Benfica side who topped a qualifying group including Manchester United and are unbeaten in their previous 10 European matches at the Estadio da Luz, will undoubtedly provide the toughest of tests.

By the same token, we are yet to record a win on the road in the Champions League since a 2-0 win in Copenhagen 13 months ago, and while scoring away from home in this season's competition hasn't been an issue, holding on to those leads has proved more difficult, but David Luiz believes our experience in the latter stages of the tournament could prove crucial.

'It's positive to have more experience, the past is the past and it's not important,' he said. 'We are two good teams against each other and there is pressure for both sets of supporters, their fans are very passionate, especially at home, but we have the experience to deal with that.

'Benfica have different players but the philosophy is the same, players continue to change but the quality is definitely still there, they were champions when I was here but they still have very good players.'
The Brazilian international had one of his best games in a blue shirt against Napoli a fortnight ago, making a number of timely interventions and last-ditch tackles as the Italian side poured forward in search of the all-important away goal that would have seen us eliminated.

Earlier in the season, his performances came under heavy scrutiny from sections of the media, but a sustained run in the side has enabled him to flourish, and the player himself believes his decision to swap Lisbon for London has ultimately been justified.

'There has been some evolution, I'm now older and wiser,' he admitted. 'I have more experience and more responsibility now, everybody knows I love and respect Benfica, but I won't make it easy for them and I want to win the match.'

Last time Ramires was at the Estadio da Luz, he was a part of the Benfica side crowned champions for the first time in five years.

That was in 2010, but now the Brazilian is a visitor to Lisbon with a Chelsea team seeking its first appearance in the Champions League semi-finals since 2009, and the midfielder who turned 25 at the weekend knows better than most what to expect from our hosts tonight.

'I am happy to come back to this pitch. I wasn't expecting to play Benfica at this moment but I am happy to do it and I have missed this stadium, so it is nice to be back again,' Ramires said, having just completed the hour-long training session that always precedes European away games.

'The last time I was here was in the national championship against Rio Ave and we were crowned champions in Portugal, so I have very good memories.'

It was a successful solitary season in Portugal, and although he was soon moving on to west London, he has retained an interest in Benfica's side.
'I have been a Chelsea player longer than Benfica, I was only here for one year, but I can't say that London is any more of a home than Lisbon,' he commented. 'They are very different and have different feels, but both are very nice. It would have been easier to stay here because of the language but I wanted to go to London, the Premier League and Chelsea.

'I know this Benfica team well, and I am expecting a difficult game but I hope Chelsea can win. They have a very talented team, and we will have to watch Pablo Aimar so closely. We have to pay attention to his game.'
Ramires might be enjoying the return, but he is also focused on the task ahead and has considered what could be deemed a successful night's work.
'I am happy to see these players again, but I hope that I am on the winning side on Tuesday,' he said. 'A fantastic result for us would be to win 1-0 with an away goal, but a draw would also be a good result for us to take home.'

Ramires and team-mate David Luiz, another former Benfica man, are still revered in these parts. Outside the away dressing room at the Estadio da Luz sits a huge picture of the pair, alongside current forward Oscar Cardozo, celebrating a goal together.

If the pair are doing the same this evening, things might just be looking very good for us in this tie

Panthro

Luiz to play in Ramires who then smashes it into the crowd goal!:D

Sgt Pepper 64

Torres............................................

GavRedKing

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Torres............................................

Yes............I think. :eek: :eek:

:pac:

joshrogan

Chelsea 2-1 Torres to score th winner.

Johner

Score draw would be a good result for us. Confident that we will score.

Caveman1

Hopefully we start with Torres up front, I think Chelsea will get a result tonight it's gonna be hard though, 2-1 Chelsea

GavRedKing

joshrogan wrote: »

Chelsea 2-1 Torres to score th winner.

I'd love to see it but I'll take a Torres goal and a draw.

Johner wrote: »

Score draw would be a good result for us. Confident that we will score.

Amen. A score draw would set us up nicely for the return leg at the Bridge.

GavRedKing

Caveman1 wrote: »

Hopefully we start with Torres up front, I think Chelsea will get a result tonight it's gonna be hard though, 2-1 Chelsea

Benfica certainly arent any greater then Napoli, I'd rate them slightly less then Napoli so hopefully we can do the job.

A victory over in Lisbon would be brillant though and end a horrible run we have of nothing winning away from home in Europe.

Sgt Pepper 64

gavredking wrote: »

Benfica certainly arent any greater then Napoli, I'd rate them slightly less then Napoli so hopefully we can do the job.

A victory over in Lisbon would be brillant though and end a horrible run we have of nothing winning away from home in Europe.

they did well against Man U

Nicolas Gaitan is one to watch out for - fast pacy winger who can play on both flanks and has high assists.
We should have looked at signing him

He's a beast on my FM2012 save

GavRedKing

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

they did well against Man U

Nicolas Gaitan is one to watch out for - fast pacy winger who can play on both flanks and has high assists.
We should have looked at signing him

He's a beast on my FM2012 save

They did, and Napoli did very well against Man City, so by my reckoning we're the best team in England.

Witsel and Aimar will be handfuls too and Cordoza has a decent scoring return, they certainly have weapons at their disposal but I do fancy us to score.

Gonzovision

Cech, Cole, Luiz, Ferreira, Terry, Ramires, Mikel, Meireles, Mata, Kalou, Torres

Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Cahill, Essien, Lampard, Drogba, Sturridge

Artur, Emerson, Luisao, Maxi Pereira, Jardel, Javi Garcia, Bruno Cesar, Aimar, Gaitan, Witsel, Oscar Cardozo

Subs: Eduardo, Miguel Vitor, Nolito, Matic, Nelson Oliveira, Rodrigo, Saviola

Leiva

Hard one to call this .

Chelsea have a chance to really show some intent or they could simply not show up ?

I'm going with a shítty 0-0.
Watch it will be a six goal thriller.

Raskolnikov

Ferreira?

RichT

Negatives: Ferreira and Mikel with Meireles :mad:

Positives: Torres starts and No Malouda

steelcityblues

No Lampard or Drogba in the starting line up?

I think Benfica will win this.

Paco Rodriguez

Can't see Benfica upsetting Chelsea at all tonight. Chelsea will score early I think and be on their way to a semi showdown with Milan/Barca.....ooops I meant with Barca

Barr

Great news for Benfica with Torres starting.

Tubbs4

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Ferreira?

Chelsea really do need a right back.

Warper

Cordozo and 2-1 Benfica

RichT

Barr wrote: »

Great news for Benfica with Torres starting.

Was about to argue that point.........

then I saw your sig.

the_monkey

is this not on free to air TV ?

MagicMarker

the_monkey wrote: »

is this not on free to air TV ?

It's on TV3.

Paco Rodriguez

Stadium nowhere near full which is surprising for a CL quater final.

the_monkey

MagicMarker wrote: »

It's on TV3.

OK, do they have a live online player ?

edit - never mind , got it ..

MagicMarker

the_monkey wrote: »

OK, do they have a live online player ?

edit - never mind , got it ..

Just saw your location, probably won't work for you...

http://www.tv3.ie/3player/live/

Pepe LeFrits

**** off Aimar, spastic.

Gonzovision

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

**** off Aimar, spastic.

Seems prsonal......

steelcityblues

The Portugese station's camera work is pretty amateur.

MagicMarker

Awful camera work, ****ing stop zooming in!!

Paul Tergat

Woah never realised Ramires is that quick

Gonzovision

Ramires is incredibly quick

Caveman1

This is a great opportunity for Chelsea, Benfica look way below par

greendom

Good open game

Fight_Night

How the hell is Bruno César only 23, looks about 35

Turtwig

Really want the old Torres to return or a better one. Got hand it to the guy for trying. He's looking better.

Pepe LeFrits

I'd be surprised if Chelsea don't advance here; they look very comfortable.

Sgt Pepper 64

Is Mata tired? He hasnt really turned up for some games - I keep expecting more magic

Fight_Night

Impressed with Torres, created a few chances out of nothing so far, still lacking the finishing touch but an improvement nonetheless.

Caveman1

That was a boring 1st half hopefully we create a few more chances in the 2nd half

RiseToTheTop

I hope Chelsea get through.

Fenix

Am I watching a different game? Pretty sure Benfica are playing the better football and looking a LOT more dangerous...