Marseille President Jean-Claude Dassier Looking Forward to Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba’s Return
In the Champions League group-stages draw, Chelsea were drawn in Group F along with Olympique Marseille, Spartak Moscow and MSK Zilina. Marseille President Jean-Claude Dassier told reporters that they were looking forward to the return of former player Didier Drogba.
There were rumours during the summer that the 32 year old striker would be moving back to the French club; they were not true, and now the Ivorian will be travelling to Stade Velodrome to face his old club. Dassier said that they were looking forward to their hero’s return but would be wary; the striker has proved lethal in both domestic and European competitions.
Dassier told the official website, “It will be both very pleasant and satisfying to see Didier Drogba again at the Velodrome, but he won't be alone. Chelsea are the benchmark. Those are two huge games. We have our chance to go through with our strengthened squad but there must be no complacency. The Champions League is never easy.”
Chelsea Director David Barnard revealed that he was also happy with the draw. He said, “I think it could have been worse – more difficult. We've got to be pleased with that draw although it won't be easy as there are no easy games in the Champions League. We've played French opposition before and it's always tough. Didier Deschamps will be coming back and one of our players, Didier Drogba, will be going back to his old club. We've played Žilina before – in a qualifier – and we've been to Moscow quite a lot in recent years.”
However, Drogba will be unavailable for the first leg of the fixture at Stamford Bridge, as the Ivoirian will be serving a suspension from last season’s competition being carried forward.
Both the Marseille President and Chelsea Director have got one thing right: the Champions League is not easy. Group G, where AC Milan face Real Madrid, is being called the “group of death”, but what the pundits are forgetting is that all the teams that make it to the Champions League are the top teams of Europe; the best in their respective leagues.
Though Chelsea may thought to have ended up with an easy group, a look at the club’s history will reveal that Chelsea have faced French and Russian opposition before. And even though they were victorious on more occasions than not, it was not an easy task. With the competition growing tougher this season, it will be interesting to see who takes home Europe’s greatest prize.
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