Chelsea Vs. Valencia, 2011 UEFA Champions League: Stamford Bridge Hosts Tuesday’s Biggest Match

Drogba completed a man of the match performance with his second goal, a brilliant 75th minute finish that sealed the result for Chelsea. Mata provided the assist again, sliding a great through ball past the Valencia defense for Drogba to run onto and chip into the back of the net to seal the victory.

Bayer Leverkusen will join them in the knockout stages after they finished second in Group E. Valencia will to to the UEFA Europa League.

Ramires added the second in the 21st minute on the counter attack. Drogba provided the assist, coming back for the ball and holding up before playing a great through ball. Victor Ruiz appeared to have great position to make a clearance, but let Ramires run around him and hit the ball into the back of the net.

It’s a long way back for Los Che, but they only need to equalize, not win to go through.

Chelsea lineup (4-3-3): Cech; Cole, Terry, Luiz, Ivanovic; Romeu, Meireles, Ramires; Mata, Drogba, Sturridge

Valencia lineup (4-2-3-1): Diego Alves; Alba, Ruiz, Rami, Barragan; Costa, Albelda; Mathieu, Jonas, Feghouli, Soldado

No matter what happens, Valencia’s attitude and spirit should at least make this game fun.

Check out Chelsea FC blog We Ain’t Got No History for more on the Blues. We’ll have coverage of all of the UEFA Champions League matches at SB Nation Soccer. For more from around the world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.

There are as many ways to enjoy a football match as there are people to enjoy them. One man’s fascinating tactical battle is another man’s turgid 0-0 draw; one woman’s glorious carnival of attacking puissance is another’s one-sided mismatch. It’s up to you. But I think most people would agree that one of the more fascinating ingredients in any prospective game is when one or both teams are beset by insecurity.

Insecure teams don’t play badly. They are not roundly outplayed, they are not thrashed. Instead, they play pretty well, but with a vague air of worry: they know, and you know they know, that it’s all about to go horribly wrong. Often it doesn’t. Sometimes it does.

Check out Chelsea FC blog We Ain’t Got No History for more on the Blues. We’ll have coverage of all of the UEFA Champions League matches at SB Nation Soccer. For more from around the world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.

1. How Do Valencia Stop Juan Mata and Others

2. How Do Chelsea Defend