Chelsea’s season went from bad to worse on Saturday, as they lost 0-1 to Premier League new boys AFC Bournemouth. Retaining the domestic league is out of reach for the Blues this season, with only a slim chance of reaching next year’s Champions League with a top-four finish. After Saturday’s defeat Mourinho told the official club website:
Before this game it was realistic to think that our quality would take us out of this position but maybe now we have to think about top six.
Their only hope of success comes in the Champions League and FA Cup after an early departure from the League Cup on penalties against Stoke City. It’s been said many times this season, but Wednesday’s home fixture against Porto could really be season-defining.
Chelsea are currently sitting on 10 points at the top of Champions League table Group G but are level with Wednesday’s opponents Porto who are only second on goal difference. Simply put, it’s a must win game for Chelsea, a win means they will top Group G with 13 points. If they draw with Porto they will qualify for the next round with 11 points. However, this puts them in danger of facing the other groups winners, European giants such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona which the Blues will be keen to avoid. If Chelsea lose they face the unthinkable – Thursday night football and a return of the Europa League.
Last season, facing the 2014/15 Portuguese League runners-up would be seen as an easy draw and a simple path through to the Champions League knockout stages. However, the first leg of this tie resulted in Chelsea leaving the Estadio do Dragao with no points after a 2-1 loss.
Mourinho would probably have imagined his side would be in better form for this one, but the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth was a significant step backwards from a recent run of decent results.
The only positive in recent weeks is the return to form of last year’s PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard, but his has coincided with a number of antics from controversial target man Diego Costa. Sadly for Chelsea fans more attention has been placed upon his bib throwing antics than his goal scoring and on the pitch play, which has been poor compared to last season.
Ironically Iker Casillas the ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper who Mourinho fell out with in his time at the Bernabeu will be between the sticks for Porto. He described Mourinho as:
A coach who will always want a victory and now against his old club. But we have the mentality that we can make them suffer at Stamford Bridge and get through the group phase.
From personal rivalries to the simple need to win, this game should be a great watch. A defensive mindset may be useful for both teams as they only need a draw, but if one team sneaks ahead then all philosophy will disappear as they strive to reach the knockout stages of the most celebrated tournament in club football.
