The UEFA Champions League is one of the biggest competition around the World. Every club wants to win it and also wants to qualify to play in it.
The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League was already in the knock out stages when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out across the World leading to the suspension of the competition.
However, with the competition set to return on the 7th of August, to allow the completion of unfinished clashes, Sportmata have taken an in-depth assessment of Chelsea FC chances of reaching the Quarter Finals ahead of Bayern Munich.
When the two sides met at Stamford Bridge, the Bavarians defeated the Blues by 3 goals to nothing, with Lewandowski and Gnabry scoring the goals. The latter was in an awesome form destroying the Blues defense with his pace.
A 3-0 deficit looks like a game over scoreline especially with the first leg played at Stamford Bridge. This is not the first time that incredible comebacks have happened in the competition, Barcelona did it against PSG after going down 4-0 away from home to win the tie by a 6-1 second leg scoreline in 2015. In 2012, Chelsea FC beat Napoli 4-1 after losing the first leg by a 3-1 scoreline in Naples. They eventually won the competition that year beating Bayern on Penalties at the Alianz Stadium.
A comeback might look impossible but Chelsea FC and Frank Lampard can make do with a little motivation from the likes of Liverpool who defeated Barcelona in 2019 by a 4-0 scoreline after losing the first leg by a 3 goal margin.
Here are three things the Blues must do to stop Bayern Munich
1. Central Defensive Pairing
One of the major problem the Blues have had this season is finding the right balance at the heart of the defense. No wonder Chelsea FC have conceded 46 goals in the Premier League albeit scoring 63 times. Rudiger haven’t shown the defensive understanding when playing alongside with either of Zouma or Christensen or Tomori. Lately, Zouma playing alongside Christensen seems to be the best defensive pairing so far as Rudiger looked rusty on the ball on a couple of occasions especially against West Ham with the Blues eventually losing the encounter by 3-2 scoreline. Lampard need to get the right pairing or else the encounter will be a disastrous one as we all know Lewandowski will be looking to exploit any weakness in the defense.
2. Chelsea FC must sign a new left back
One other area of the pitch where Chelsea FC are weak is the left back position, Emerson particularly have been a shadow of himself since former Blues manager Maurizio Sarri left the London based side for Juventus. He has being very disappointing when he gets an opportunity to play. Alonso on the other hand is a very slow left back even though he seems to thrive more when playing high up the pitch, neglecting the defensive side of his game.
Chelsea FC have being linked with a couple of options at the left back position. One of such option being Leicester City’s left back, Ben Chilwell. Leicester City are reluctant to sell with a section of the media claiming the 23 year old is valued at £60million by the Club which will be a very huge lay out should the Blues decide to pay.
The Blues have also been linked with Bayern Munich experienced left back now turned centre back, David Alaba. The 28 year old has just one year left on his contract and the Blues will get a good left back if they are able to sign the Austrian.
Photocredit: gettyimages
If the Blues must beat Bayern Munich in their own back yard they will have to sign a good left back.
3. Nullify the threat of Gnabry, Davis and Thiago Alcantara
Bayern Munich have a players that can unsettle any defense and these guys did this to Chelsea’s defense in the first leg.
First on the list is Gnabry, the former Arsenal man is a pacy forward just like his counter part in person of Kingsley Coman. Chelsea will have to monitor the German’s movement or else they risk losing again. The first leg had a quiet opening 45 minutes until the German started marauding the Chelsea FC defense alongside Alphonse Davis who plays as a left back for Bayern. Davis is the fastest player in this Bayern side, he gave Azplicueta a rough ride during the first leg by running at the Spaniard all night. Chelsea must try to counter his speed with speed, this is where Reece James could be of help.
Lewandowski can be stopped by placing a player very close to the attacker so that he doesn’t get his one-twos with the midfielders such as Thiago Alcantara.
Lampard can try out the strategy employed by Mourinho to stop Eden Hazard in 2018 with Ander Herrera always around the Belgian, when Chelsea lost 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in an all Premier League clash.
Lewandowski have a scored a whopping 33 goals in the Bundesliga in just 30 appearances, hence, Chelsea must watch him closely.
A more defensive minded midfielder could stay very close to the Attacker to prevent him from having any goal scoring chance. Kante could be the man for such a job.
Photo: Thiago Alcantara and Kimmich
4. Time to Unleash the new signings
With the Blues set to be eliminated from the competition, this will be the right time to Unleash the new signings. The Blues earlier in February agreed a £33million deal for 27year old Moroccan, Hakim Ziyech. The Blues are said to have completed the signing of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig. This will be the right time for Lampard to play these guys.
Chelsea are also linked with a move for Kai Havertz. A move to Chelsea FC for the German will mean a whole lot of good for both the player and the club. Havertz and Werner have played against Bayern Munich and would probably hold the key to unlocking this Bayern Munich defense in the Champions League.
Finally, Lampard needs to play Jorginho more, the Italian gave a good account of himself when he came on for Billy Gilmour in the closing stages of the match against Crystal Palace.
The Champions League draws is set to take place today by 11am. Here are a few things you should know.
Quarter Finals: August 12 – 15
Semi Finals: August 18 -19
Final: August 23
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Stadiums to be used for the Quarter finals and Semi Finals:
1. Benfica’s Estadio de Luz
2. Sporting’s Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Good luck to Chelsea FC come August 7.
Do you think the Blues will qualify for the quarter finals?
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