LONDON: Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo will have to address his side’s shortcomings on the road in Europe on Tuesday with the Londoners unable to afford a slipup against Nordsjaelland, a team new to rubbing shoulders with the continent’s elite.
The Londoners will be expected to win against the Champions League newcomers in Copenhagen after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw their opening Group E game at home to Juventus.
Chelsea have never lost to a Danish team and have won on all three visits made to Denmark, but they have won only one of their last seven away games in the competition.
Chelsea became Champions League winners for the first time last season despite not winning an away game in the group stage.
Sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League and full of confidence after a London derby win over Arsenal on Saturday, Chelsea appear to be benefitting from a settled and happy Fernando Torres.
The Spanish striker, whose career in England with Liverpool and Chelsea has mixed highs with lows, said he was brimming with confidence.
“I had a very difficult beginning at Chelsea but that is in the past now, and I am enjoying the present with a great group of players and we are building a big team,” he told Chelsea’s website.
Captain John Terry, praised by Di Matteo for his contribution and leadership qualities against Arsenal, could step aside with Gary Cahill partnering David Luiz in the centre of defence. (Reuters)
