UEFA Champions League Preview: Matchday 3, Group A


Group A: Chelsea FC - FC Barcelona, 20:45 (GMT +2), Wednesday, 18/10/2006



Tommorrow night, leader Chelsea FC (6 Points/2 Matches) host FC Barcelona (4 Points/2 Matches) in a mouthwatering giant clash at Stamford Bridge. the match can be considered as the highlight of Match Day 3 in the entire UEFA Championsleage Competition this week. Due to the fact that Chelsea and FC Barcelona will meet for the third consecutive season in the Champions League, both teams have developed a European rivalry over the last years. Both sides have been dominating their leagues in the past 2 years and again are at the top of the league this season. Of course, anybody can imagine that the ultimative target is to lift the European Cup at the end of this campaign.


We can expect a fierce contest and hopefully Chelsea will manage to keep 11 players on the field this time. Before the match, we can expect as usual, that Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho will initiate a few flames prior to the match.


FC Barcelona will go with a lot of confidence into the match. First, becaue they managed to kick out Chelsea in the second round last year on the basis of a comfortable 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge and second, after going top as sole leader in la Liga after an overwhelming display against UEFA Cup Winners FC Sevilla. Ronaldinho is back at his best and Messi will be keen to shine ones more at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are going without their two goalkeepers, Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, into the game and goalkeeper No. 3, Portuguese Hilario, will make his debut against the European Champions.


All football fans will look at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Even the match is not in the knock out stages, we can expect a hot and fierce encounter. Enjoy!