Blues must be patient to complete a comeback
A FORTNIGHT ago you would have given Chelsea little chance of overturning a two-goal deficit against this vibrant Napoli side, but the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas has changed the atmosphere inside the club and complexion of this tie.
The temptation will be for Chelsea to mimic Arsenal’s gung-ho approach against AC Milan last week, but with an away goal in the bank Roberto di Matteo can afford for his side to be a bit more cautious.
Whatever the scenario, Napoli will always look to play on the counter and utilise the quality of their three forwards Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marik Hamsik.
Cavani in particular is a class act – he would thrive in the Premier League and could easily be replacement for Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge next season – so John Terry’s return to fitness could not be better timed.
Chelsea have been here before in Europe – as recently as December in fact when they brushed Valencia aside to qualify for the knockout stages.
A repeat of the discipline and intensity they showed that night and the old guard of Drogba, Terry and Frank Lampard are capable of inspiring a season defining comeback.
Trevor Steven is a former England footballer who played in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cups and the 1988 European Championships.