Drogba to return as Blues draw Galatasaray in Europe

[BlueLion. 21,491]

José Mourinho's Chelsea have been drawn against Galatasaray in the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League.

It means a swift return to Stamford Bridge for Didier Drogba - the Blues' match-winner as they toppled Bayern Munich two seasons ago to lift the trophy.

Having topped their group thanks to wins both home and away over Schalke and Steaua Bucharest, the Blues were granted a more favourable draw in the first knock-out stage.

Without impressing thus far in this season's Champions League, the 2012 winners secured top spot with a 1-0 win over Steaua last time out - comfortably topping Group E in the process.

The Blues also conceded the least goals of any team in the competition's group stages (3), with Petr Cech and Mark Schwarzer keeping four clean sheets between them in the process. It is upon that strong defensive foundation, then, that the Blues will look to use as they seek progression through the competition:

Champions League schedule

• Last-16 ties: 18/19/25/26 February (first legs) and 11/12/18/19 March (second legs)
• Quarter finals: 1/2 April and 8/9 April
• Semi-finals: 22/23 April and 29/30 April
• Final: 24 May, Lisbon

Elsewhere, UEFA Champions League holders Bayern Munich were drawn against Arsenal, whilst Premier League giants Manchester City and Manchester United will face FC Barcelona and Olympiakos respectively. Meanwhile AC Milan will play against Diego Simeone's Atletico de Madrid, Paris SG will face Bayer Leverkusen; Real Madrid will play Schalke, whilst last year's runners up, Borussia Dortmund, entertain Zenit.

[Lusene Vamba 0]

Fantastic Didier Drogba