Can Torres Deliver In Copenhagen and Save Our Season?

Tonight Chelsea travel to Denmark to face FC Copenhagen looking to book a place in the Champions League quarter finals.   

When the draw was made following the group stages, few could have predicted the fall from grace which has so catastrophically derailed Chelsea’s season. With just 7 wins in 21 matches, tonight could be something of a last chance to salvage something from one of the most baffling slumps in the club’s history. 

On paper, the tie looks straight forward. Chelsea boast a squad full of superstars, while their opponents have few players English fans will have heard of. However, coach Stale Solbakken has managed to craft a well organised unit which relies on a solid defence (and the goals of Dame N’Doye) to get results.

In fact his side held all-conquering FC Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in November, as well as defeating Panathinaikos both home and away in the group stage. Chelsea must be warned against complacency against a team which will take some beating.

Since the 3-1 win over Panathinaikos in December, Copenhagen have not played a minute of competitive football. The Danish Superliga has a lengthy winter break between December and March, meaning that Solbakken’s side have had to make do with friendly matches and warm weather training camps to prepare for tonight’s game.

It remains to be seen what affect the break will have on the hosts. They may find the high tempo of a fully match-fit Chelsea team too difficult to deal with. While the visitors could be feeling the affects of the weekend having had to endure extra time in their FA Cup tie against Everton on Saturday. 

The worry for Carlo Ancelotti is that his team have scored just one goal in the last 300 minutes of football they have played, having lacked the cutting edge to score against either Liverpool or Fulham in the league recently.

Fernando Torres is eligible to play and will make his first Champions League start for the Blues, partnering Nicolas Anelka up front. This will be the first time the two have played without Didier Drogba, who is likely to miss the game due to injury.

 For Torres, the pressure is immense. Having set Roman Abramovich back a huge £50 million on deadline day, the former Liverpool man has in under scrutiny from the British media.