After Wednesday’s win at Atletico Madrid, City will present another major test for the defending champions. Conte says Chelsea are “penalised” by the schedule which has given City, who beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 at home on Tuesday night, additional preparation time for the televised clash. It was a familiar complaint often aired by Jose Mourinho.
But is that not part of the challenge of playing Champions League football and the squad game? Chelsea took full advantage of their absence from Europe last term to win the Premier League. Now the Blues must embrace this latest challenge. After all, they accept broadcasters’ millions.
There are eagerly-anticipated clashes all over the pitch but the forward lines make for mouthwatering reading, even if City’s Sergio Aguero is ruled out following a car crash in Holland.
Eden Hazard made just his second start of the season at Atletico, where his partnership with Alvaro Morata showed early signs of promise.Assuming they are fit after their exploits in Madrid, they can be Chelsea’s match-winners, while Gabriel Jesus for City has demonstrated his ability with six goals already this season and Raheem Sterling is in fine form.
Chelsea’s backline will be tested in David Luiz’s absence. The Brazil defender will complete his three-match suspension for his dismissal against Arsenal, so Antonio Rudiger or Andreas Christensen can be expected to start. City’s defence has long been underestimated and questioned. But they have conceded just twice in the Premier League this season and not at all so far in the top flight in September, giving them a goal difference of plus 19.
By, Rhys Turrell https://www.dailystar.co.uk/
