How Chelsea Will Line Up Against Steaua Bucharest in Champions League Clash

Chelsea are looking ahead to their final game in Champions League Group E, having already qualified for the last 16. Jose Mourinho made it clear when he took charge in June that dropping into the Europa League for a second consecutive season would not be an acceptable result for his team. They have avoided that fate despite two defeats to FC Basel, and they know that a win against Steaua Bucharest at Stamford Bridge would see them top the group.

The Blues were comfortable 4-0 winners in Romania, but their recent form has led to questions around the back four in particular.

Their shocking defeat to Stoke City on Saturday exposed the difficulties they have in defending set pieces, and Mourinho will certainly be upset that they have already conceded more goals this season than in the entire 2004-05 campaign.

The Special One had this to say at his pre-match press conference (via Telegraph Sport):

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We have to kill opponents. We have to score goals. We are also conceding goals defensively. In this moment if you train defensive corners against the dummies, I think one dummy will score, because all the rebounds they go to the opponents. Am I going to change the style and play more defensive players? No. Am I going to play David Luiz in front of the central defenders? No. Am I going to play with four plus two and the wingers closing behind and leaving Fernando in attack waiting for a counter attack, waiting for a long ball to try to win 1-0? No. We go in the same direction.

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He also hinted that there would be wholesale changes to the line-up as the Christmas season gets into full swing and the fixtures begin to pile up (via Sky Sports):

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I'm not going to play with the same team as the last match, we have a lot of games and some players need a rest, we have a strong squad and, in certain positions, we have lots of options. In the striking positions we have three, which is the perfect number. All of them are getting minutes and matches.

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Ashley Cole will return to the XI in place of Cesar Azpilicueta after accepting that he needed to work to win his place back. Azpilicueta has put in consistently excellent performances despite playing out of position, but Cole has reacted exactly as Mourinho hoped. As reported by Sky Sports, the manager said “I know him well, the way he trains and behaves is as a super professional. He's a fantastic guy.”

David Luiz could make his first start since the 2-0 defeat away at Newcastle in place of John Terry. The Brazilian’s absence from the side was extended by a few niggling injuries, but his return to fitness has come at a perfect time for Mourinho. Gary Cahill and the ever-present Branislav Ivanovic will most likely make up the rest of the back line.

Chelsea appear to have abandoned their experiment with the 4-3-3 formation despite its success at West Ham. Frank Lampard should return to partner Ramires in the holding role after sitting out against Stoke.

Oscar has missed the last two matches after straining his groin against Southampton. He returned to training today and should walk straight back into the side. Andre Schurrle’s brace against Stoke should see him keep his place, while Willian could come in on the left of the attack to give Eden Hazard a rest.

Mourinho’s biggest decision will come up front as he tries to decide between Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o. Both strikers were beginning to hit their stride before succumbing to muscular injuries. This unexpected break in their games has caused their form to stutter, but Torres’ penchant for scoring in Europe should see him start against Steaua.

There would be no real repercussions if the Blues fail to win this match, but qualifying top of the group has many benefits. Avoiding the other group winners in the round of 16 is an obvious bonus, and it would certainly boost the confidence of this inconsistent Chelsea side ahead of the Christmas period.