Match preview Chelsea v Benfica Champions League Quarter Finals
Who would’ve thought back in February that Chelsea would overturn a 3-1 defeat against Napoli, to end up as the only English team in the Champions League quarter finals.
Benfica have come a long way to get into the quarter finals, they were top of their group, and having not lost any game, and we should also add that they managed to draw against Manchester United the two times they played. Chelsea also came top in their group having lost only once.
Jesus Jorge, Benfica’s manager has said “If I was Di Matteo, I would ask David Luiz and Ramires for information” This is because both players have been under Jesus Jorge’s management.
Jesus also made it very clear he was upset by Chelsea’s Didier Drogba’s reaction to have been drawn against the Portuguese team “Only Drogba knows what he thought” he continues to say that Drogba doesn’t have reasons to make fun of Benfica or Portuguese football considering that Benfica and Sporting have gotten past England’s top two teams, Manchester United and City.
It's not only Benfica's manager that is upset with Drogba's antics, as it has been reported that fans and people on the street have whistled and jeered at Drogba while the Chelsea team was walking around the town, David Luiz, Ramires and Meireles however got words of encouragement from onlookers.
Brazilian David Luiz has come to the defence of his team mate insisting he was reacting to the thought of facing Barcelona, and that he was not disrespecting Benfica.
Di Matteo had kinder words for their opponents, saying “Benfica plays with great intensity and pressure; they have great players and wouldn’t be in the quarter finals if it this wasn’t so”. Refering to Chelsea he says he would be happy to get even one away goal, and the fact that they have always scored away is very positive.
Benfica have the advantage of playing at home, former Chelsea midfielder Matic says "I think it's more difficult to play here [The Light stadium] because are fans are extremely enthusiastic" fans that "cheer us on the whole 90 minutes"
If Chelsea do secure a win, there will be further talks of Di Matteo being named Chelsea’s next official manager, anyone can see that since Andre Villas-Boas departure, Chelsea seem to be recuperating their form, a win today would further emphasise this improvement.
Possible starting teams:
Benfica: Artur, Pereira, Liusao, Jardel, Emerson, Javi Garcia, Gaitan, Witsel, Aimar, Cardozo, Rodrigo
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Essien, Ramires, Mata, Sturridge, Drogba
Chelsea V Benfica - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: DSG
