Chelsea’s path to the Champions League final is, what’s the word, favorable? It’s not easy, but it’s the best draw they could’ve possibly hoped for.
After easily disposing of Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the round of 16, Chelsea drew Porto in the quarter finals. If they can survive them, then they’d face the winner of Real Madrid and fellow English Premier League (EPL) rival Liverpool in the semi finals.
Chelsea hasn’t advanced to the UCL final since 2012, the same year they last won the prestigious tournament. Certainly among Las Vegas sports betting enthusiasts, Chelsea are one of the remaining favorites. Most bookies are giving The Blues the second-best odds of making the title game, with only Man City having better odds.
But let’s not plan the celebration quite yet. There’s no guarantees in football — especially at the Champions League level — and Porto won’t be pushovers. Before Chelsea returns to Champions League action on April 7, let’s preview what lays ahead for the club:
Don’t Underestimate Porto Or Else
Let’s be blunt, Juventus overlooked Porto and they paid the price. In the upset of the Round of 16, Porto upstaged Juve in the aggregate on the away goals tiebreaker — the last one coming in extra time with only 10 men, no less. Chelsea can’t afford to make the same cardinal mistakes as Juventus.
2003-04 – FC Porto have progressed in a Champions League knockout tie after winning the first leg for the first time since the 2003-04 quarter-final vs Lyon. Survival.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 9, 2021
Akin to the Blues, Porto is red-hot. Since the start of the new year, the club has tasted defeat only twice — versus Sporting CP (who sit in first place in Primeira Liga) and technically speaking, the second leg of the Juventus matchup (but we know it didn’t feel like a loss on Porto’s part due to the extra-time goal).
Porto’s surge as of late is multi-factored. However, leading its attack has been Sergio Oliveira, who is a constant scoring threat from midfield. On the opposite end of the pitch, 38-year-old Pepe is playing like the Pepe of old. He manned the defense incredibly well against Juventus, keeping his long-time Portugal teammate, Cristiano Ronadlo, in check both games.
Chelsea is certainly more talented than Porto, who most can agree is the weakest team of the remaining eight. But that won’t matter one bit if Chelsea comes into the series unprepared and overconfident like Juventus did.
Nothing Going Wrong For Thomas Tuchel
Since sacking Frank Lampard, Chelsea has yet to lose under the tutelage of Tuchel. The ex-PSG head coach has been a “miracle man” of sorts for the Blues, who are undoubtedly playing atop the game right now.
The incredible turnaround — climbing from ninth to fourth in the EPL table since Tuchel took reigns at the end of January — has surprised most, especially after Tuchel’s sour departure in Paris. But here’s the difference between Tuchel’s old club and new: Chelsea has completely bought into his vision. No more egos to coddle, just good ol’ fashioned football.
Tuchel is intense, he’s vocal, and he shares the wealth — all qualities that have been passed down to his players. Almost every player on the roster, even the last player on the bench, have found ways to contribute under the Tuchel-led club. Naturally, that creates more shared ownership across the club.
Juicy “Revenge” Matchup On Tap If Chelsea and Liverpool Get Through
2005 Champions League semi finals. Liverpool versus Chelsea. “The ghost goal.” Need we say more?
Of course, Blues supporters have this defeat forever burned in their retina. It’s one of the most crushing, controversial moments in Chelsea’s storied history — one that’s largely gone unavenged for 16 long years.
Welp, if all goes well, pay back could soon be on the table for Chelsea. Again, we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves, but most would agree that Chelsea and Liverpool are on a collision course to meet in the next round of the Champions League.
These rivals last met only weeks ago in the Premier League, a matchup in which Chelsea prevailed 1-0 at Anfield Stadium, no less. After that result, you’d have to believe Chelsea wouldn’t lack confidence in a two-leg series. Throw in the 2005 screwjob, and well, the Blues wouldn’t lack motivation, either.
