CFR Cluj vs Chelsea: Preview
Group A
CFR Cluj v Chelsea
Chelsea got their Champions League campaign off to a pretty good start with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Bordeaux and are hoping to continue that against CFR Cluj tonight. Not that they’ll be taking anything granted against their unknown Transylvanian opponents.
Cluj won their opening Champions League game away at Roma and Scolari says:
“The Bordeaux game was a good experience for us but the game against Cluj will be different. I don’t need to remind the players of anything because they know about points. It’s very important because if we win we will be in a very good position. I have a lot of information about Cluj because I think they have about 11 Portuguese players. I have told my players what to expect. It’s important to try to win this match away from home. If they beat us then they will have two more home games to come and it could be a difficult situation for us. If Cluj can win away from home (like they did at Roma) then we are in danger.”
Despite almost dropping into the Romanian fourth division in 2001, a takeover and the subsequent injection of cash from local businessman Arpad Paszkany saw them win last season’s top Romanian league (Liga 1). Their 2-1 win against Roma in their Champions League debut has already signalled their intent, and Paszkany reinforces that message, stating “I want to build the strongest team Romanian football has ever known.”
Whilst Chelsea are currently top of the Premier League on 14 points, with three wins and two draws so far this season, Cluj lie 5th in Liga 1 with fifteen points after a relatively slow start to the season which has seen them win four, draw three and lose two.
Cluj last played on Friday against Steaua Bucharest, in a game which saw them come from behind to finish 1-1 at home, so they have a slight advantage in terms of preparation over a Chelsea side who were made to work for a 2-0 win over Stoke away on Saturday and travel to the 25,000 capacity Dr.Constantin Radulescu stadium.
TEAMS
CLUJ (from): Claro, Tony, Panin, Vieira, Muresan, Dubarbier, Peralta, Lacina, Trica, Viera, Culio, Cadu, Oberman, Leao, Galiassi, Kone, Didi, Toma, Sanchez Prette, Dani, Hirschfeld, Pereira, Minteuan, Stancioiu, Alcantara, Deac, Ruiz
CHELSEA (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, A Cole, Bosingwa, Bridge, Ferreira, Lampard, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Kalou, Mineiro, Belletti, Sinclair, Drogba, Anelka, Di Santo
