Most people aren’t giving FC Copenhagen a chance. They face Chelsea tonight at Stamford Bridge in an attempt to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit and proceed into the last-8 of the Champion’s League. The odds are stacked against them. Copenhagen may top the Danish League table (SAS-Ligaen) by 19-points, but beating Chelsea represents an all-too different proposition.
The Danish League-leaders may also suffer from a lack of defensive stability this evening. Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken has stated that it’s unlikely defender Mikael Antonsson will be fit for the game, after straining a muscle in his right-buttock. Ouch. Given that they will also be without suspended defender Zdenek Pospech, Chelsea may look at this defence and see potential for a big goal-tally.
The only real option that remains for FC Copenhagen is to attack Chelsea and keep them on the back foot. As Solbakken notes: “It is stupid to go into it defensive when you’re behind 2-0. If we score they will be nervous. I can guarantee that. The key to the game is who scores the first goal.”
[bet_365 type=’odds’ size=’300′ af_code=’365_061437′]
Although I wouldn’t rule FC Copenhagen out just yet – they have been impressive in the Champion’s League thus far this season (not losing until they met Chelsea) and even managed to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw – you can’t help but feel that Chelsea will be too strong for the Danish side, especially sporting a 2-0 lead.
Chelsea’s greatest enemy at this stage is their own complacency. Carlo Ancelotti has already hinted that tonight’s game is a good opportunity to rest players in preparation for Chelsea’ s Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Bridge on Sunday. If those selected aren’t fully up for the game, they could find themselves surprised by a Copenhagen side not afraid to take on the bigger teams. In particular Chelsea need to keep an eye out for William Kvist, a tough Danish midfielder with great ability on the ball (he won Danish Football Player of the Year 2010 and Danish Superliga Player of the Year 2010, last year) who is believed to be courting La Liga clubs this summer.
At the moment, however, anything other than a home victory seems unthinkable. Don’t be surprised if we see a few goals tonight – indeed, I can’t think of a better opportunity for Fernando Torres to break his 405 minute goal-scoring duck.
Great odds: Chelsea to win 3-0 – 13/2.
Good odds: Fernando Torres to score first – 10/3.
[bet_365 type=’generic’ size=’468′ af_code=’365_061437′]
Follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter for details on all the latest updates and various football-related musings.
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.