Closed Sparta Prague v Chelsea

[DONI. 1,291]

[English Freak 456]

And he was culpable for two goals yesterday. Was always going to be a risk; would he be operating on pure adrenaline, or be totally side-tracked? Backfired for Lennon last night. Mikel and Moses should be given time to rest and then come back into the side against Brentford.

Also, I think what Terry has said is disappointing. Are we adopting a small club mentality and thinking a top four finish is the equivalent of a trophy? We're the defending European champions, and to go out of this tournament on a whim after the way we were unceremoniously dumped out of the UCL, albeit on a technicality, would be even more embarrassing for this club.

Think about it - we've fucked up in the League Cup, the league has been out of reach since early November and we've blown three relatively decent chances of silverware in the Community Shield, the UEFA Supercup and then the Club World Cup. We can't afford to put all of our eggs in the Premier League-or-nothing basket.

This competition, along with the FA Cup - they are the only chances of silverware we have this season. If we go out there and don't put any effort in, it will be an absolute disrespect towards the supporters and another layer of disappointment on this catastrophe of a season.

The Europa League should be used to give our youngsters a chance to shine...like Spurs and Liverpool have done in recent times..

I'd much rather take 3rd place at the end of this disastrous season, get rid of Rafa and his pet Torres...and look forward to a fresh start in the EPL & UCL next season.

I'd hate to see Chelsea win the Europa League....and then screw up in the EPL...and somehow finish under both of our london rivals.

[petr.breu 1,618]

Where is your seat ?

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Where is your seat ?

[Ankit 3,176]

David Luiz is out of tomorrow's game because of three yellow cards from Champions League #CFC (UEFA has confirmed)

[bushman 2,043]

Good let him rest. I just hope he traveled with the team. Prague is worth seeing.

[AndersonBLUE 819]

Well Liverpool and Spurs have sent out weak teams and have struggled at times in this competition, maybe we should have a couple key players out there, like Ba for a while.

[zolayes 14,489]

Well Liverpool and Spurs have sent out weak teams and have struggled at times in this competition, maybe we should have a couple key players out there, like Ba for a while.

Ba is cup tied

[Chrisb 33]

@petr.breu, I'm going to this match tomorrow night so where are the best places to have a beer before and after the match? Been told that the Old Town area is the better bet.

[petr.breu 1,618]

Petr is not dreading the snow and is excited to revisit Letna Stadium

On Thursday night Petr is to face a Czech team in the Europa
League for the first time since he joined Chelsea. He allegedly cannot
wait for the game because it was Sparta where his first international
career prospects crystalised. In the Summer of 2002 he transferred from
Sparta to the French club Rennes.

Is this return to Letna going to mean anything specific to you?

Definitely, I'm very excited. It's been almost eleven years since I left
Sparta and I haven't played a Czech team ever since. Even though I'm a
little gutted it's not happening within the Champion's League, I'm glad
this opportunity has finally come up. I'm going to be in Prague playing a
Czech team at a stadium that I'm very familiar with back from the times
when I used to be in Sparta, as well as from representational games.
It'll be a new experience and I'm curious what it will feel like to be a
hosted there.

How many Sparta players do you actually know?

Basically the ones from the national team, some of which I met during
under-21 competitions. Vaclik, Zapotocny, Jarosik, Svejdik, Vidlicka,
Husbauer, Kadlec, Krejci, Lafata, Matejovsky... Actually almost all of
them. Coach Vitezslav Lavicka used to train me, too.

Have you called any of them?

I've talked to Jiri Jarosik. Too bad he won't be able to play. It would
have been quite the treat for him to play against Chelsea considering
he's won the title with us. I hope he makes the rematch, at least.

The entire Czech Republic is covered in a blanket of snow. Will that not present a challenge to some Chelsea players?

I wouldn't worry about that. It tends to snow in England every now and
then, plus we often play in temperatures around or slightly above zero.
Even our Brazilian players are used to snow and I'm sure the field will
be in a good state. The only issue that could arise is if it were to
start snowing during the match. That might put Sparta into an
advantageous position.

Is there a possibility of Sparta being underestimated by Chelsea?

No way. We go into every game bearing in mind that we must win, anything
else is a failure. Therefore we don't really put too much weight on who
it is we're playing. The Europa League is a certainly a challenge
itself. We have chance to win the trophy and we must not underestimate
anyone whatsoever.

Did you provide the team with any insider information on Sparta?

When there was something they needed to know they asked me. After all I
do know some of the players fairly well, even the fresh signings. I did
provide some characteristics, however we'd have a sufficient amount of
info with or without me. Someone must have watched Sparta during their
prep. Chelsea staff take these things seriously and the same procedure
applies to all other opponents, no matter if it be a Champions League or
a fourth-division FA Cup team.

Do you have any idea what shape Sparta will be in after the preparation stage? They had a long break beforehand.

It's hard to guess what they'll have to offer but they'll certainly have
nothing to lose indeed, they can only gain. It will be one of the
greatest games they'll have ever played, not to forget Chelsea are the
incumbent Champions League title holders. It's going to be interesting
for both players and fans, Letna Stadium will surely be sold out once
again after a long time.

[We Hate Scouse 10,326]

Go by train, go by car, let's all laugh at Prahahaha......

[petr.breu 1,618]

@petr.breu, I'm going to this match tomorrow night so where are the best places to have a beer before and after the match? Been told that the Old Town area is the better bet.

You'll definitely found a great pub in Old Town area... Enjoy, czech beer is the best

[Chrisb 33]

You'll definitely found a great pub in Old Town area... Enjoy, czech beer is the best

Cheers mate! Must say I'm looking forward to trying some lots of this awesome Czech beer!

[Ankit 3,176]

#CFC team news: 19 have travelled to Prague - no Luiz, Mikel or Moses. Terry has travelled, as has Nathan Aké.

[Rambo 1,729]

Any info on the track jacket?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Judging from the pictures from the coaches and plane, the following have travelled:

• Goalkeepers - Cech, Turnbull
• Defenders - Terry, Ake, Ferreira, Bertrand, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cole
• Midfielders - Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Lampard, Ramires, Benayoun
• Forwards - Ba, Torres

That's 18. Probably also Hilario has travelled as a back-up keeper.

[petr.breu 1,618]

Judging from the pictures from the coaches and plane, the following have travelled:

• Goalkeepers - Cech, Turnbull
• Defenders - Terry, Ake, Ferreira, Bertrand, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cole
• Midfielders - Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Lampard, Ramires, Benayoun
• Forwards - Ba, Torres

That's 18. Probably also Hilario has travelled as a back-up keeper.

Ba wanna see Prague?

[DONI. 1,291]

Any info on the track jacket?

No.Just checked officialstore but no thing

[Milan 17,958]

Cheers mate! Must say I'm looking forward to trying some lots of this awesome Czech beer!

The beer is the definitely the best but you better stay away from the one called Gambrinus. That is not a good brand, the taste is nothing really.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

Judging from the pictures from the coaches and plane, the following have travelled:

• Goalkeepers - Cech, Turnbull
• Defenders - Terry, Ake, Ferreira, Bertrand, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cole
• Midfielders - Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Lampard, Ramires, Benayoun
• Forwards - Ba, Torres

That's 18. Probably also Hilario has travelled as a back-up keeper.

Ba? For what? why not Faruz?