Chelsea v. Valencia September 17, 2019 Stamford Bridge, 3PM EST Video: B/R Live; Radio: Chelsea app? Not sure. Chelsea are back on the big stage and face Valencia in their first Champions League action since March 14, 2018, losing to Barcelona 3-0 in the Round of 16 (4-1 agg). A fast start in a group also including Ajax and Lille would be welcome, especially at home. Our history with Valencia is all of six games - dating back to April 2007, a 1-1 draw. We've not lost to Valencia and have an overall record of 3W-3D against The Oranges. They qualified by finishing 4th in La Liga with 61 points, behind Barca, Atletico, and Real. They did, however, win the Copa del Rey, which is interesting because their recently-fired manager, Marcelino Garcia Toral, thinks this is what caused his sacking. On the note of that sacking, the Valencia players are in silent protest leading up to this match. Interesting. They currently sit in 13th place with 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses after losing 5-2 to Barcelona. Chelsea also had a 5-2 result, albeit in their favor, after thrashing Wolves away from home. We currently sit in 6th place (technically a 5-way tie for third based on goal differential). Rudiger is out (groin) and Kante, CHO, and James are not match-ready, according to Lampard. C'mon Blues.
Emerson Palmieri also continues to be out. We are at home. Therefore we should be more attacking, BUT. . . .Do we continue with wing backs and Christensen, Tomori and Zouma OR do we just go with Tomori and AC and Dave and Alonso in a back four? Emerson makes more sense in a back 4 and he is not available. But I would still go with. 4-3-3 Willian Tammy Abraham Christian Pulisic Kovacic and Mason Mount Jorginho Cesar Azpilicueta Tomori Andreas Christensen Marcos Alonso Kepa Arrizabalaga
Valencia's new manager is pretty green - even more of a rookie than maybe Lamps. Albert Celades. Seems he hitched up with Lopetgui at Spain and then again for the brief stint at Madrid as an assistant. Spain U16 Spain U21 Spain U17 Spain (assistant) Real Madrid Valencia Great winning % over 41 games, but again, how can you not with Spain.
"I'm confident but very aware of the dangers," Frank said. "Our target is to qualify from a tough group. It is different [from league football]; the main thing is that the concentration levels throughout the game have to be spot on. The different level can surprise you. "I have belief in the players. I think we have talent that can blossom in the Champions League.
Rudiger out injured. I would like to see Christensen and Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori at the CB.
3 in the back almost exclusively down to the fact that Kova/Jorginho is a garbage pivot. Semi-surprised to not see Pul. Reality is Frank seemed to like Willian last game and Mount played well. There's competition in the squad.
Good to see Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori at the CB. A more cautious line up with the wing backs. Without Rudiger, Emerson and Kante, 3 CB's makes sense. Pulisic will get some time tonight and I also fancy him against the scousers at the weekend.
I have no qualms with this setup. For me it has more to do with Alonso than anything else. Assuming no injuries, I hope to see both Pulisic and Pedro along with say Michy to run at tired legs.
Back in the Champions League where we belong, very exciting. An excellent, competitive group with no easy nights but one we have a good enough squad to qualify from if they perform. I'm not as concerned about the Jorg/Kova tandem in this competition though they clearly have work to do in the league to create space for themselves and close space for the opposition. Shouldn't be as much a factor in Europe. Pulisic to be an impact sub tonight!
Honestly, he'll play against Pool regardless. He played Championship football last season, they have 46 league matches. This isn't anything new for him.
Much more likely because our only fit left back is Alonso, who does his best work by far as a fullback. Lampard started the season with a Jorginho/Kovacic pivot and changed that only after Emerson got hurt.