Source: Eurosport
APOEL armed with daunting home record for Chelsea test
APOEL Nicosia, who snatched a surprise draw against Atletico Madrid two weeks ago, will try to use their stadium's raucous atmosphere to pull off another Champions League upset when they face Chelsea on Wednesday.[LNB] At their intimidating GSP stadium in Nicosia, the Cypriot champions won all three home games in this season's Champions League qualifiers by at least a two-goal margin.[LNB] With the 22,000-capacity ground sold out for the London club's visit, competition debutants APOEL can count on noisy support for a match against their toughest opponents in Group D.[LNB] "They are the best team in the group," APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic told a news conference. "We need to exceed ourselves, something we have done many times and must do so again."[LNB] The Cypriots will be looking for a repeat of their performance in Madrid earlier this month when Atletico were booed off for drawing 0-0 with the unfancied visitors.[LNB] Asked if he saw any weaknesses in Chelsea this season, APOEL's Serbian coach Jovanovic said: "Minimal, probably none."[LNB] But Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti, still smarting from a 3-1 defeat by Wigan Athletic in the Premier League on Saturday, was not taking any chances.[LNB] "It will not be an easy game," he told reporters in Nicosia. "They did a very good job in Madrid, they drew but they could have won the game."[LNB] Chelsea will be without suspended duo Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa. Midfielders Michael Ballack and Jon Obi Mikel have also been ruled out through injury.[LNB] Long-term absentee Joe Cole has travelled to Cyprus but neither he nor Deco, recovering from a calf injury, will start.[LNB] "Joe had a problem in the last few days. He can start from the bench, also Deco," said Ancelotti.[LNB] Jovanovic will be without injured central defender Paulo Jorge and Polish internationals Marcin Zewlakow and Adrian Sikora. Long-term absentee Joost Broerse is not in contention but Kamil Kosowski is expected to be fit.[LNB] (Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Sonia Oxley)
