Chelsea V Bordeaux Preview: First Stop On The Road To Rome?

Chelsea kick off their European campaign tonight against Bordeaux, and ahead of the game I look at some thoughts, team news, quotes from both camps, the recent form of the two teams, and finally, my prediction for the result.

Initial Thoughts and Points of Interest

Chelsea kick off their Champions League campaign at home to Bordeaux and will be hoping to secure three points and make a winning start to a group that they should top come December.

The match marks the first since the agonising Champions League Final defeat to Manchester United in Moscow, and the Blues will be hoping Tuesday’s game will be the first on the way to an appearance at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on May. Each year it seems Chelsea are getting closer, and I firmly believe that our day will come soon enough.

Moscow should serve as motivation for the players this season.

Bordeaux have two ex-Premier League players at the club - David Bellion and Souleymane Diawara. Another player to watch out for is midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, who is on loan from AC Milan and has been earmarked by many as a player with potential.

Team News

Chelsea: Michael Ballack is set to return for the Blues, having overcome an ankle injury that has kept him out of action for the past couple of weeks. Michael Essien is out, and Didier Drogba is suspended after being sent off in the final last season.

Bordeaux: Mathieu Chalme and Benoit Tremoulinas are suspended for the French side, while the participation of Henrique, a defender, is in doubt.

Both team's squads for the game were not available at the time of publishing this article.

Quotes

Luiz Felipe Scolari has said that the Champions League is no more important than any other competition.

“We have to win all competitions, not only this. If you say this is more important than others, I say no, never,' the Brazilian suggested.
 
"This game is important, the next game is important, the Carling Cup is important, the FA Cup is important. [I don't] say to my players play for your life for only the Champions League, no, they need to do their best in all games and training. If not, I don't choose them for the games.”

Scolari also confirmed that Michael Ballack will play some part in Tuesday‘s game.

"He will play on Tuesday but I do not know whether it will be for 45 minutes, 60 or 70," said Scolari.

Striker Didier Drogba knows Bordeaux well from his time in France, and thinks that Chelsea shouldn’t underestimate Laurent Blanc’s side, even though they have made a less than spectacular start to the season.

“I know Bordeaux pretty well and I’ve followed them since the season started. They changed some players at key positions and showed achieving two good consecutive seasons is never easy.

“I’m not worried for them even if they haven’t been brilliant in Ligue 1 (this season). Laurent Blanc will be able to correct their mistakes.”

Meanwhile, Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc appears pessimistic ahead of the encounter, acknowledging that the club are going through some tough times.

"We are perhaps not in the best condition psychologically to be on top form at the moment. And we are going through a difficult period."

Recent Form

Chelsea: Saturday’s impressive 3-1 win over Manchester City kept Chelsea top of the table on goal difference, and they are looking like the team to beat in the Premier League at this moment in time.

Bordeaux: Runners up to Lyon in the French Ligue 1 last season, Bordeaux have started the season poorly, and limped to a 1-1 draw with Marseille at the weekend. They sit 8th in Ligue 1.

Prediction

I cant see anything other than a Chelsea victory in this game. Chelsea are always so strong at home and haven’t lost in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge since February 2006. With Drogba and Mikel returning to fitness, I’m going to predict a 3-0 victory for the Blues.

What do you think? Let me know by leaving a comment.