http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview, UEFA Champions League
Chelsea begin their UEFA Champions League campaign with a home game against Bayer Leverkusen in the first game of the group stages. Both teams are expected to be evenly matched since both finished at second place in their respective leagues and have been
in similar form in the new season. While Chelsea secured a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Bayer Leverkusen defeated Augsburg 4-1 in an away game.
Chelsea are said to have found themselves in one of the easier groups, but Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas did not feel the same way. The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Racing-c40298 Genk and
Bayer Leverkusen all competing for qualification from Group E. Villas-Boas believed all the clubs had quality and his side had a tough challenge ahead of them.
Villas-Boas said while speaking to reporters:
“We all saw what http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 did last season and they are very, very regularly in the Champions League.
The Belgian champions (Genk) have lost a couple of talents that they had with (Thibaut) Courtois, who joined us and went on loan to Atletico (Madrid), but have some good talent available.”
He continued:
“Leverkusen have this strong emotional impact of being present in the Champions League final and always wanting to perform well.”
Team News
Chelsea
Villas-Boas is expected to present a different squad from the one that faced Sunderland on Saturday, especially since his side travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in their next English Premier League fixture. David Luiz, who has returned
from injury, could make his first start of the season against Bayer Leverkusen after he was left as an unused substitute against the Black Cats.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Obi-Mikel-c18882 has not been training with the team, but is expected to be given a start against the German side. Fernando Torres could also start with Daniel Sturridge, who scored in his side’s 2-0 win over Sunderland in a highly impressive performance.
Deadline day arrival Raul Meireles made an impressive debut over the weekend and could get a chance to prove himself in the Champions League for the Blues.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen manager Robin Dutt said he was not certain if former Chelsea midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 skipper started the weekend match against Augsburg, Dutt failed to
confirm his involvement against the English Premier League despite claiming he was happy by the 34-year-old midfielder.
Dutt said in an interview:
“I was very happy with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-c25261 Ballack and he was particularly active last night. But I still don't know whether he will play on Tuesday in Chelsea.”
He revealed:
“Many players will be fit for Tuesday and I am not going to reveal my team now anyway. The Chelsea game is going to be totally different to this one.”
If Ballack is selected, he will be playing alongside http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lars-Bender-c21663 in midfielder. Michael Kadlec will most likely be starting against Chelsea after serving a suspension in the Bundesliga over the weekend. However, first choice goalkeeper Rene
Adler is still sidelined with an injury and therefore will be replaced by Bernd Leno in goal on Tuesday.
Possible line-ups
Chelsea
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bernd Leno; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Renato-Augusto-c30828; Stefan Keissling.
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