Closed Schalke v Chelsea

[Jase 43,479]

Schalke vs Chelsea
PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 3
22nd October, Tuesday, 2013
Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen
19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

[ChelseasMessiah 304]

Oscar and Hazard should be the first names on the team sheet.

[Jase 43,479]

Our group as it stands after 2 games:

1. Schalke - 6pts

2. Basel - 3pts

3. Chelsea - 3pts

4. Steaua - 0pts

Basel ahead of us on H2H record and we simply cannot afford to lose here. Otherwise, things are gonna get panicky in the last 3 games. And one can only hope Steaua are more competent this time around against Basel. Need them to take points off them to aid our cause a bit.

[Rmpr 8,977]

We cant lose!

[zyzz 711]

Glad that Farfan and Huntelaar are injured. Schalke are awful when it comes to defending set pieces this season so i'd start Ivanovic again although he didn't play well today.

[The_Flash 1,144]

We need another strong performance, come on chelsea

[Sidzeret 2,257]

After today, this looks promising

................Cech.....

..Azpi.....Cahill.....Terry.....Bert

...........Rami..Lamps.......

Shurrle.....Oscar......Hazard....

................Eto'o.........

But i reckon Ivan's gonna start anyway as it gives us an option for 5-3-2 if we fall behind, without making a subtitution.

Luiz should be given a little bit of time before City at the end of the week to think about his mistakes and get disciplined.

No chance for KDB with the team we have, considering the importance of this match.Pity, though.

[Tomo 21,684]

I would take a draw here if we beat City and them again back in London.

[Leif 6,006]

Their central midfield is set to consist of 2 18-year old players who lack experience. Hugely talented though.

[Jase 43,479]

Here's one dodgy stat ahead of this game.

Jose Mourinho has lost all 6 of his European matches against German oppositions in Germany - vs Werder Bremen(x2), Bayern Munich(x2) & Borussia Dortmund(x2). Those 6 losses suffered by Mourinho came during his time at Chelsea, Inter Milan & Real Madrid.

On the other hand, Mourinho will be returning to Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, the ground where he won the CL with Porto in 2004.

[Jype 6,398]

A must win game if there ever was one. Lose and we'll be fighting with Basel for the second place and will face much harder opponents in the first knockout round if we even get there but a win would be put us in a very good position to finish first.

Anyone know if Schürrle will be available for this one?

[didierforever 7,349]

tough game. we have to play a good game here. cant simply leave it to the class in our depth like the previous games.

cech

azpi cahill JT bert

ramires mikel

hazard oscar schurlle

etoo

etoo has shown glimpses of his link-up play and now he has got a goal. i dont want to break that.

i think jose would go with mikel-rambo pivot as we would need mikel's defensive prowess more than lamps long balls from the pivot. plus lamps played 2 games for england + cardiff + norwich+ i have no doubt that he ll start city, so i just he would get some rest here.

azpi and cahill should start after iva and luiz's poor displays.

[didierforever 7,349]

Here's one dodgy stat ahead of this game.

Jose Mourinho has lost all 5 of his European matches against German oppositions in Germany - vs Werder Bremen(x2), Bayern Munich(x2) & Borussia Dortmund. Those 5 losses suffered by Mourinho came during his time at Chelsea, Inter Milan & Real Madrid. All of them have been 1 goal defeats.

On the other hand, Mourinho will be returning to Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, the ground where he won the CL with Porto in 2004.

??? what? he lost 4-1 to bvb.

[Jase 43,479]

??? what? he lost 4-1 to bvb.

Ooops! Forgot to include that 4-1 loss. Apologies.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Just win!

Expect to see Oscar, Hazard and Schurrle if fit because he know Schalke and German football the best.

[Jusek 2,031]

Anyone know if Schürrle will be available for this one?

He tweeted this today:

André Schürrle ‏@Andre_Schuerrle 1 h

Well done blues, good win:)) sad I couldn't play, but I'll do my best to be fit for Tuesday!!! #bluefamily #behappy

[Tomo 21,684]

Eto'o has to start this one, his intelligence is vital for this, Felipe Santana will gobble up Torres (in a foot race) or Ba (in the air).

I think Azpilicueta should start this one too, Mikel should start with Lamps saved for City.

[OneMoSalah 8,616]

Their central midfield is set to consist of 2 18-year old players who lack experience. Hugely talented though.

And Julain Draxler will be playing..... so good

Anyway I can honestly see Mou going 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 whatever you want to call it, in this one and playing on the counter but I don't know because from what I've read Oscar was superb today.... still who knows.

Cech

----------

Iva - Cahill/Luiz - Terry - Bertrand/Cole

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Mikel

Ramires - Lampard

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Andre/Mata - Eto'o - Hazard