UCL Draw Thread

[edetarod 2,155]

no Kalou no Meireles, how are we supposed to beat them

[Jase 43,479]

any absentees for benfica?

Just 1 - their defender Maxi Pereira.

[Milan 17,835]

We had the chance to fight for 7 trophies, fucked them all and now we play in the final in a completely different competition. Only at Chelsea. We have to win it! No more pain in the final please!

[Jase 43,479]

Some stats to throw in...

1. Chelsea have played Benfica twice in European competitions (2011/12 Champions League QF) and won both matches. 3-1 on aggregate.

2. Chelsea have won 6, drawn 1 and lost 1 against Portuguese oppositions in European competitions.

3. Rafa Benitez has faced Jorge Jesus's Benfica previously in the 09/10 Europa League SF. Lost 2-1 in the first leg away from home before winning 4-1 in the return home leg.

4. Rafa Benitez's overall record against Benfica in Europe - P4 W1 L3.

[xPetrCechx 13,548]

Capacity 53,052^[1] seats (matches)

We will receive approximately 9,800 tickets for the UEFA Europa League Final.

WTF!?

[xPetrCechx 13,548]

9.8k Chelsea ticket allocation for the Europa League final is less than 19%. What a joke.

[Morodo 56]

Good Luck for the final. My bet: 3-1

[Behemoth 266]

Benfica will be out for blood. Two teams will want revenge, them, and if we win, Bayern, if they win. Gulp.

[Thomas Williams 166]

Just too bad we have Torres up front, their CBs are probably the biggest weakness. Very tough game though, we'll have to be at our best to beat them.

You sure? Garay starts for the Argentinian national team and has been very strongly linked with United and other big clubs, he will be a top 10 CB in the world some day IMO (he's only 25 or 26 I think?)

Their fullbacks are much weaker in my opinion, Their left back in particular, I forget his name, but although he looked very pacy and decent in attack, is only 23 and didn't seem the best at defending from what I've seen (not much.)

[Strike 6,965]

Will the Benfica fans invade the forum again? Too bad there's no Raul Meireles this time. He really shut them up last year

[edetarod 2,155]

hopefully our record of beating teams starting with B continues

Barca, Bayern, Basel, Benfica...

[Jase 43,479]

Remember this idiotic rant from Jorge Jesus? :rant:

[ulsterchelsea 3,213]

Remember this idiotic rant from Jorge Jesus? :rant:

bitter wee man. Talks too much which we will know all about again in a week or so

[Milan 17,835]

[IkE 267]

He will be on fire, UNLEASH THE LUIZ.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Just too bad we have Torres up front, their CBs are probably the biggest weakness. Very tough game though, we'll have to be at our best to beat them.

Tbf, Torres played a very good game against them last season.

[edetarod 2,155]

this is the second successive time we've reached a European final after sacking managers in the middle of the season

we really are a unique club

[Kieran. 6,317]