With only one point from three matches since Fernando Torres (and David Luiz) joined the club in January, things can scarcely get worse for Chelsea, a team whose title hopes have waned to the mere expectation of qualifying for Champions League, something that would have been a unreasonably low goal at season's onset. But with that benchmark accepted, Chelsea will have to look toward Champions League for their glory (now that an FA Cup defense has been precluded). Unfortunately for Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner for whom it's assumed Champions League is the ultimate prize, his team faces more immediate risks than rewards.
FC Copenhagen Vs. Chelsea, UEFA Champions League Preview: A No-Win Situation For The Blues
That’s because Chelsea has the unenviable expectation of not only beating FC Copenhagen, their Champions League Round of 16 opponents, but also impressing. Such is the lack of respect for - lack of knowledge of - the Danish champions that a draw or one goal victory, results that would normally be considered successes on the road in Champions League, would be deemed disappointing. If Chelsea were to go to Denmark and post a 1-0 win, they would be in a commanding position in the tie, even though that result would be deemed another symptom of disintegration.
Chelsea fans, however, seem to be more realistic about the Blues’ plight, even if it’s pragmatism born out of disillusionment. After a season of highs (the all-world start) and lows (the Fernando Torres era), no result’s likely to surprise a Chelsea fan. Even a loss in Denmark - a result that will surprise the rest of the world - may be met with relief from that sect of Blues supporters who’ve been waiting for this team to declare whether they’re going to be good or bad. An empathic win over the team most were hoping to draw from the second place pool would only (perhaps needlessly) tantalize fans.
As well it should, given what Copenhagen bring to the Round of 16 match. Granted, the Lions had what could be called the easiest route to the knockout stage, merely having to best Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos to advance out of Group D. But this is still a team that’s undefeated through 19 rounds of the Danish Superliga, a team that boasts a striking tandem that could present trouble against a Chelsea defense that will be without cup-tied David Luiz. Dame N’Doye is their best known threat, the 26-year-old Senegalese playing a vital role in Copenhagen’s early results against their Russian and Greek competitors (scoring in each of Copenhagen’s first two group stage mathces). His partner, Cesar Santin, went scoreless in group stage but has been more prolific on a goals-per-match basis in league. Together, you could see them crafting one moment of brilliance which, against a Chelsea team that’s scored one goal in their last 300 minutes of action, could prove enough.
For their part, Chelsea has an easy answer: John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic. It may be trite and borderline ignorant to say, but there is a reason why Terry and Ivanovic are who they are: Regulars for country as well as starters for one of the top clubs in the world, a stature they've garnered by being really, really good at what they do. Even amidst all of Chelsea's struggles, Terry and Ivanovic have been integral parts of a defence that has given up the fewest goals in the Premier League. If you want to dismiss "playing for Chelsea" as a validation of capability, fine. But explain wy they (along with Ashley Cole) have been at the heart of the best defense in the Premier League. What's to say that defense suddenly crumbles against FC Copenhagen?
Given Copenhagen scored one goal in 180 minutes of group play against Barcelona (in Group D play), very little. Under normal circumstances, evoking results against Barcelona would not be the best barometer for a team's success, but given the other measures we have to assess Copenhagen - Rubin, Pana, and the Danish Superliga - Barcelona seems the best when trying to evaluate the Lions' ability to deal with Chelsea. If the Danish champions averaged 0.50 goals per match against Barcelona, what's to say they'll find the two, three goal outburst required to give them the upper-hand over Chelsea? Let alone fully contain Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, and Frank Lampard?
Based on the evidence we have at hand, nothing tells us Copenhagen should be able to get more than one goal, though for the most melancholy of Chelsea supporters, that represents a double-edged sword. If Chelsea shutdown Copenhagen - even blow them out, an audacious expectation for the first, road leg of the a Champions League, knock-out road tie - they're merely playing their part, rising to an expectation they'll never be able to exceed. If Copenhagen stays close, Chelsea will fuel the simmering uncertainty that's engulfed the club since losing at Liverpool in early November.
Things can get worse for Chelsea. In fact, they can only get worse. Tuesday represents a no-win situation for the club, where anything short of a blow-out win can be construed as a disappointment. Should they get a two, three goal victory, Chelsea can temper the doubt until the weekend. Without it, things will only get worse.
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