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Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
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Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Chelsea will travel to the Turkish capital of Istanbul to face off against Galatasary in the first
leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday, February 26th.
leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday, February 26th.
The first game of first stage of the knockout rounds of the Champions League sees Chelsea travel to Istanbul, Turkey, where they'll face off against Roberto Mancini's and club hero Didier Drogba's Galatasary.
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The evening's hosts got here by remarkably finishing second in a group consisting of storied European heavyweights Real Madrid and Juventus. Many wrote off the Turks' chances as soon as the draw was made, but a remarkable campaign on their part, as well as some disappointing underperformance from Juventus throughout, saw the Istanbul side finish 2nd in the final match of the group stage in front of their own devoted fans, where a Wesley Sneijder goal 4 minutes from time handed the home side a dramatic victory and sent Roberto Mancini's men to the next round.
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Chelsea got themselves here, it can be said, quite the opposite way. The Blues were drawn into a relatively weak group on its face, with Steaua Bucharest, Basel and Schalke making up Group E alongside the Londoners. José Mourinho's men were widely expected to walk the group and clinch top spot early on, but a shock defeat in the opening game on their own patch at the hands of Basel left the Blues shell-shocked. A 4-0 trouncing of Steaua Bucharest in Romania and a duo of back-to-back 3-0 spankings of Schalke home and away looked to have made all right again for the reigning Europa League champions, but another 2-1 defeat again by Basel in Switzerland in the penultimate game of the group stage meant top spot in the group was still undecided, and the Blues would need to win their final game at home to Steaua to clinch the crucial position. And despite making incredibly hard work of it from Day 1, a rather drab, uninspiring 1-0 victory in that game courtesy of a single Demba Ba goal 10 minutes in did indeed hand Chelsea a final 3 points, and ensured José Mourinho's men would finish top of the group, avoiding a Round of 16 draw against one of the big boys.
The biggest headline-maker since the very day of the draw is that this match will be the first time Chelsea will have to face club legend, hero, and icon (as well as rumoured coaching staff target this summer...) Didier Drogba. The player and this competition are indelibly linked in Chelsea history, of course, for it was the Ivorian's herculean efforts in his final season at the club that led the Blues to their stunning, heroic victory in the competition in 2012, scoring both the equalising header and the winning spot-kick in the penalty shootout against heavily-favoured Bayern in the dramatic Final in Munich, as well as a number of other pivotal goals along the way.
The sides last met in the group stages of this competition in 1999, where the Blues beat their opponents home and away 6-0 on aggregate, including an astonishing 5-0 annihilation of the Turks in their infamous stadium, courtesy of a brace from Tore André Flo, a 3rd from Gianfranco Zola, a 4th from captain Dennis Wise, and a coup de grâce 2 minutes from time from Gabriele Ambrosetti. Luca Vialli's men would eventually finish top of their group in their first ever Champions League campaign, while Galatasary crashed out in 3rd place.
Doubtful on the fitness front for Chelsea are Brazilian duo David Luiz, who missed Saturday's 1-0 victory over Everton with a muscle injury, and Oscar, who was taken off at halftime in that same game due to what José Mourinho says was, while not a serious injury, some pain the midfielder was unable to play through, as well as John Obi Mikel, who reportedly is carrying a knock; while Blues new-boys Nemanja Matić and Mohamed Salah are cup-tied and thus ineligible.
The match kicks off at 1945 GMT
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Totally forgot that Matic was cup tied for CL. That'll be a huge loss for us.
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
José Mourinho and Frank Lampard lead tributes to Blues legend Didier Drogba ahead of European clash Wednesday:
José Mourinho has described it as the homecoming of a “king” while Frank Lampard says their returning “hero” is one of a kind as the pair pay tribute to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10655673/Chelsea-face-their-legendary-former-striker-Didier-Drogba-in-Champions-League-tie-against-Galatasaray.html
José Mourinho has described it as the homecoming of a “king” while Frank Lampard says their returning “hero” is one of a kind as the pair pay tribute to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10655673/Chelsea-face-their-legendary-former-striker-Didier-Drogba-in-Champions-League-tie-against-Galatasaray.html
“It’s a strange feeling but, as we know him so well, we know that for him no friends during the game,” said Mourinho.
“Before the game, big friends and big respect for a legend. After the game, the same. But, during the game, we have a job to do. He has his nature, he wants to score, he wants to win. I think it is a tie to go until the end.”
“He deserves a reception here even better than mine, because he deserves much more than me. For Didier, double or three times better and bigger than I had.”
“He has been a hero for this club and will go down as a legend,” said Lampard.
“He is unique.”
“There is no one like Didier as a player, not with the kind of bulldozer thing he has got and with the sublime touch and finish that he has got. The amount of important goals he has got for us in cup finals and big games throughout his career makes him an icon and historical figure at Chelsea.”
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Hopefuly we can flog them in the first leg so Drogba can score at the bridge without putting the tie at risk
Didnt realise Matic was CL sup tied either, thatll make the CL tough but atleast itll help in the league
Didnt realise Matic was CL sup tied either, thatll make the CL tough but atleast itll help in the league
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
It's a loss but in all probability, we aren't going to win it with or without him.
- Spoiler:
- Inb4 we do
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
'We know Mourinho': Wesley Sneijder says Galatasaray are ready for Chelsea:
Wesley Sneijder believes inside knowledge on how Jose Mourinho works will aid Galatasaray in their UEFA Champions League clash with Chelsea
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9182819/champions-league-wesley-sneijder-says-galatasaray-are-ready-for-chelsea
Wesley Sneijder believes inside knowledge on how Jose Mourinho works will aid Galatasaray in their UEFA Champions League clash with Chelsea
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9182819/champions-league-wesley-sneijder-says-galatasaray-are-ready-for-chelsea
"Mourinho knows us well and that is an advantage but the same applies for us, we know Mourinho very well, perhaps better than the Chelsea players know us."
"Chelsea is a great side, everybody has to accept that, but if we show the same spirit we did against Juventus, we could achieve another big result."
"The way our fans support us when we're on the pitch is a driving force which pushes us to give our best. They are like the 12th man."
"Our strength is that all our players have very powerful characters."
"If we really put our heart into what we do and reflect all our quality into the game, play with our strength of character, then there isn't a single team we can't beat."
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Frank Lampard: Drogba is delighted and nervous:
Frank Lampard lifts the lid on Didier Drogba's emotions ahead of Champions League clash
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9182949/champions-league-frank-lampard-lifts-the-lid-on-didier-drogbas-emotions
Frank Lampard lifts the lid on Didier Drogba's emotions ahead of Champions League clash
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9182949/champions-league-frank-lampard-lifts-the-lid-on-didier-drogbas-emotions
"I texted him after the draw because we still keep in touch.
"He was delighted and nervous actually because he said it would be difficult for him to come here to Stamford Bridge. He still sees it as his home and his love."
"I said to him that once he gets back and has the reaction from the fans, he will absolutely love it, both games. I'm sure he will. The draw did have an air of inevitability. It is amazing how often these things happen in football."
"You will see a return of a hero and rightly so with what he did with his last kick for us. It was the best two days of my life in football terms by a million miles. It was just incredible from start to finish and every fan you talk to is a 'where were you when you saw it' moment."
"But it wasn't just that. There were finals galore, big games. In the dressing room behind the scenes he was a real leader and people didn't see that - one that we have certainly missed, he was so complete."
"He is the best I have played with solely for the fact of doing it in big, big games. There are a lot of good players out there, but he consistently scored in finals and popped up at the right time."
"I have played against great players and Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are probably the best, but he is right up there without a doubt."
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
The top one from when we went there in '99 (where we won 5-0), the bottom for tomorrow.
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Two Chelsea supporters stabbed amid clashes in Istanbul ahead of Champions League tie tonight:
At least two Chelsea supporters were stabbed in clashes around Istanbul's Taksin Square on Tuesday night, the eve of the first leg of the club's Champions League knockout tie against Galatasaray, with the club having warned travelling fans of potential danger before departing
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/25/chelsea-galatasaray-football-violence-champions-league
Staggering. Heathens.
At least two Chelsea supporters were stabbed in clashes around Istanbul's Taksin Square on Tuesday night, the eve of the first leg of the club's Champions League knockout tie against Galatasaray, with the club having warned travelling fans of potential danger before departing
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/25/chelsea-galatasaray-football-violence-champions-league
Staggering. Heathens.
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
GALATASARY XI: Muslera, Eboue, Chedjou, Hakan Balta, Alex Telles, Selçuk, Melo, Burak, Sneijder, Hajrovic, Didier Drogba
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
CHELSEA XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Ramires, Lampard; Willian, Hazard, Schurrle; Torres
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
SUBS: Ufuk Ceylan, Semih, Sabri, Ceyhun, Yekta, Emre, Umut
SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Kalas, Mikel, Oscar, Ba and Eto'o
SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Kalas, Mikel, Oscar, Ba and Eto'o
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Great preview as always but you forgot to mention the fact that Roberto Mancini has failed to go past the last 16 ever since the 2005/2006 edition and that will most likely be a key factor for this tie. I kinda have a soft spot for him because he's a Samp legend (truly a GOAT) but the man is clearly inept when it comes to the CL, can't believe Gala knocked out Juve. Football can be unpredictable, I'm aware of that, but I feel very confident about this one
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Whose this Schurrle bloke?
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Yay Torres, glad the goal was scored by a striker
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
That spanish combination Magnificent start
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Hope we can grab some more goals within the half hour mark, we are doin some good passing getting lots of space
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
We need to involve more Hazard to exploit that, him and Schürlle. Torres and Willian seem more active tonightUncanny wrote:Hope we can grab some more goals within the half hour mark, we are doin some good passing getting lots of space
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Never a foul there, could have been 2-0 there
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Mancini with an early substitution half an hour in...
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
fatman123 wrote:Never a foul there, could have been 2-0 there
Absolutely. Scandalous.
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
Torres still missed it tho. or did he purposedly miss that hearing the whistle
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Re: Champions League · Round of 16 - Galatasary S.K. vs Chelsea
HT: 0-1
Should be clean and clear.
Should be clean and clear.
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