Valencia vs Chelsea

(UEFA Champions League)

Date: Wed, 28th Sept. 2011; Kick-Off: 19:45 BST, 01:15 IST

Venue:Estadio Mestalla

Valencia vs Chelsea - Catch all the latest team news, match preview, pre-match analysis, interviews, followed by LIVE match and a lot more right here at Chelsea FC News.

Valencia vs Chelsea - Chelsea take on Valencia in the second match of group E tomorrow at Estadi de Mestalla. While Chelsea came off with a win in our first match against Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge, Valencia had to settle with a draw away at KRC genk.

Chelsea are coming off a handsome win over Swansea which saw them beat the newcomers 4-1 with Torres, Ramires (2 goals) and Drogba netting in for Chelsea. On the other hand Valencia lost to Sevilla 1-0 but had rested much of their prime squad as they had one eye on this Champions league fixture at home.

Both teams have shown good performances in their respective leagues, Valencia with their 2-2 draw against Barcelona and Chelsea producing an excellent display of football and determination (despite losing) against Manchester United.

Chelsea Team News

Andre Villas-Boas admits he has some tough decisions to make ahead of Wednesday's game in Valencia, such is the strength of his squad.

AVB has taken 20 players to Spain for today's Champions League group game, but said on Tuesday that he has not yet selected his side. Romelu Lukaku is ineligible and Alex, Paulo Ferreira and Josh McEachran did not travel to Spain.

Juan Mata makes his return to the Spanish outfit just months after joining Chelsea in August. He will definitely be apart of AVB's starting lineup for Wednesday.

Chelsea should welcome back Daniel Sturridge who missed the game against Swansea after suffering a knock on his leg in the Carling Cup tie against Fulham. Michael Essien is the only long term absentee.

AVB will make changes to the squad that beat Swansea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge, this after he had made it pretty clear that with so many matches happening around its good to have players rotated to keep them fresh.

So the likes of Lampard, Malouda and Luiz could feature in this tie. Fernando Torres would definitely get the nod after scoring in two consecutive league games and not to forget his red card which will see him sit out the next three premier league matches.

Valencia Team News

Valencia have a near full strength squad to pick from except Mehmet Topal the only player definitely ruled out of the clash.

Diego Alves, David Albelda, Pablo Hernadez and Roberto Soldado should all start after being rested in their La Liga game against Sevilla on Saturday.

Probable Team Line-ups:

Valencia: Diego Alves, Barragan, Rami, Victor Ruiz, Mathieu, Banega, Albelda, Pablo, Parejo, Piatti, Soldado

Chelsea: Cech, Luiz, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Mata, Ramires, Malouda, Torres.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli

Chelsea FC - Villas-Boas pre Valencia

Andre Villas Boas on Valencia:

"Valencia will be extremely motivated, they had a good game against Barcelona but lost last weekend against Sevilla. They will try to get the three points. In the first game they only got a draw when they expected three points."

"We have to believe in our philosophy, the game will be very fast and intense, and if we get to win the three points tomorrow we will be in a very good position to go through."

"I am very good friends with [Valencia coach Unai Emery]. I think he is one of the best in the country. He has been extremely successful here in Spain and I hope one day he will go to England in the Premiership because the philosophy is very similar to what Unai believes in. I am very impressed by the way Valencia play football and by the way Unai motivates his players."

Andre Villas Boas on Frank Lampard ahead of the tie against Valencia:

"Frank is a magnificent player. The news that came out in the Mail on Sunday is incredibly surprising, something made up, so we refute this speculation. It's completely untrue."

"Frank is an established, top quality player, and is one of the most important players for the club and will continue to be like that. He is established for Chelsea and for England, he has nothing to prove to the football world. He is a spectacular team player, a spectacular professional and will continue to succeed at this club."

Andre Villas Boas on the team news, Juan Mata and his emotional return to Valencia:

"It will just have to depend on the strategy we want to use, we just make choices like any other manager makes choices, and there is nothing dramatic in that."

"Different players react differently when coming back home or to an emotional place, you just have to wait and see if he is going to be involved. We bought this player because we believe in his creativity."

"As we analysed the squad before the beginning of the season I mentioned we needed a midfielder and maybe a winger, and we've done so, and managed to get one of the most fantastic players in La Liga so I am happy with what we are achieving at the moment."

"There are players coming through, experienced players, we went for a mixture, not just for younger players. Mata was an established player in Valencia and the Champions League, and we just wanted to add in terms of competence. We have competence at the moment in all levels of the squad."

Juan Mata spoke ahead of his emotional return to Valencia, a club where he played his first Champions League game after joining from Real Madrid youth camp.

Juan Mata on his special emotional day when he plays Valencia later today:

"It will be strange to be in a different changing room, that will make it a special game and I know what the atmosphere is like in the Mestalla when Valencia play a Champions League game."

"I don't know yet if I will find it difficult, tomorrow I will find out, but I am going to focus on helping my team to win. I will say hello to all my old team-mates before the game but at kick-off, that is when friendship ends. After the game it will be different but during it every player must focus on helping his team to win."

"The manger knows Valencia pretty well. He knows they are a strong team, especially when playing at home as could be seen recently when they played against Barcelona and drew. They press a lot all over the pitch and in the midfield they have very skillful players who are also very fast."

"He knows that they will be a great threat, especially after their first game when they drew in Genk. In the Champions League you have to try to get three points and Valencia will be trying that tomorrow. They will be dangerous and tomorrow will be a very difficult game."

"I wish that both teams go through to the next stage but I hope Chelsea win the game. A player has to give his best for his team to win a game and that is what I am going to do tomorrow."

Valencia Coach Unai Emery:

"Tomorrow is a big game with the usual complications, but we feel confident. We know all about Chelsea but also know that we are a very strong side, even more so here at Mestalla. We are only focused on ourselves and want to produce a great game and a victory for our fans. Tomorrow every player wearing blue [including Mata] will be our enemy."

"Chelsea defend and attack their own way, and we'll try to exploit this and hurt them. I expect a physical game and we have to be switched on. We respect all our rivals but this doesn't affect our philosophy of playing football."

"We want a full stadium and it's our responsibility to put on a great show so the fans can enjoy a great game. I can't promise victory, but we will give our all to get one. We played our best match of the season against Barcelona [2-2 last Wednesday], but every opponent is different and we have to adapt to them."

"In the Champions League there are many great teams, and we're one of them. Chelsea were the top seeds and we were in the second pot, but the favorites don't always win."

Chelsea FC - Drogba pre Valencia

KEY STAT

Chelsea are unbeaten in our last six visits to Spain in the Champions League since we lost to Real Betis 1-0 in 2005.

Our Last Meeting at MESTALLA

Do let us know what will be your starting line ups for the game against Valencia tomorrow. Who will start for you? Lampard, Drogba, Luiz, Anelka..... Express your views and opinions on our Facebook Fan page

Put on your thinking hats and predict the scoreline for this match... Just LIKE our Facebook Fan page and predict your scores...who will score first for Chelsea.. and express your thoughts and opinions on the match...

My starting line up would be

What can we expect from this game.... This will be definitely the next big game for AVB following our game against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Chelsea currently are on top in group E with three points after winning their opening fixture against Bayer Leverkusen whereas Valencia have a point after their hard earned draw away at Genk.

Will Chelsea go for the win or will we settle for the draw is the question I am looking at? With the squad we have and with AVB's rotation policy I see AVB going in with players that can try and get three points away at Valencia, and why not history suggests that we can achieve the same.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their four encounters with Valencia (two wins, two draws). They met Valencia in the Champions League quarter-finals in April 2007 and then in the group stages in 2007/08. Chelsea have won both of their trips to the Mestalla, each time thanks to a 2-1 scoreline.

Chelsea have lost none of their last six Champions League away games in Spain (two wins, four draws). Also Valencia have a bad record against English sides at their home ground having lost their last three games, two against Chelsea and one against Man U. So stats are on our side but Valencia have showed good football in their last four league matches especially the one where they held Barca to a 2-2 draw.

But just like Chelsea, Valencia are being headed by another young manager Unai Emery (39) who is next young manager next to Andre Villas Boas (33). And Valencia have shown good attacking football under his management.

So we can expect a tight game but it wont be termed as overconfidence if we are expecting Chelsea to win this one. We have the squad, we have the talent which can register wins away from home. Match Lineups will be an excellent indication of what we can expect of. Valencia would definitely want to win this one not just because the game is at their home ground but also because they have just a solitary point on the table.

What can we expect from Juan Mata... No one must be as thrilled as Juan when the Champions League group stage draw was made. To face your ex-club in the Champions League is a special moment (just like Ballack when he faced Chelsea as part of the Bayer Leverkusen team).

Valencia was the club at which Mata made his career and became one of the most sought after players in the transfer window. And the games played so far he has proved to be one of the best buy's of the summer, an astute signing for Chelsea. He spent four years at the Mestalla Stadium before moving to Chelsea for £23million.

Valencia of all must be knowing the strengths of Mata, but its different playing against it rather than with it. Under AVB Mata has really jelled into the formation and characteristics of English football and really expecting a good game from him. Not to forget he already has scored for Chelsea in the Champions league 2-0 win over Bayer leverkusen. His movement will definitely cause trouble to the Valencia defense.

Juan Mata shared a few thoughts ahead of the tie against Valencia:

"It is going to be a very special and emotional match for me playing so soon after leaving, I was there for four years and had a wonderful time."

"I will try to be respectful and not celebrate if I do score.”

A small video put together for Juan Mata

CHELSEA STATS

Chelsea have topped our group six times in the last eight campaigns and we have never failed to progress to the Champions League knockout stages in nine attempts.

Chelsea's overall record in European competition is played 174, won 92, drawn 47, lost 35 and tonight is our 107th match in the Champions League including qualifying games. We have won 54 of our 106 games, drawn 31 and lost 21.

Ten years in Europe
2001/02 Uefa Cup - second round
2002/03 Uefa Cup - first round
2003/04 Champions League - semi-final
2004/05 Champions League - semi-final
2005/06 Champions League - round of 16
2006/07 Champions League - semi-final
2007/08 Champions League - runners-up
2008/09 Champions League - semi-final
2009/10 Champions League - round of 16
2010/11 Champions League - quarter-final

VALENCIA STATS

Valencia are competing in their eighth Champions League campaign. They were eliminated by eventual semi-finalists Schalke in last season's Round of 16.

Valencia have won 107 and lost 51 of their 226 games in Uefa competition. Tonight is their 94th match in the European Cup. They have won 43, drawn 28 and lost 22.

Ten-year European record
2001/02 Uefa Cup quarter-finals
2002/03 Champions League quarter-finals
2003/04 UEFA Cup winners
2004/05 UEFA Cup round of 32
2005/06 Intertoto Cup final matches
2006/07 Champions League quarter-finals
2007/08 Champions League group stage
2008/09 UEFA Cup round of 32
2009/10 Europa League quarter-finals
2010/11 Champions League round of 16

So get ready for some pulsating action at Stamford Bridge. Come on CHELSEA!!! KTBFFH.

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