TEMPO.CO, Lisbon - Chelsea are set to take on Sporting Lisbon in the second group match of Champions League at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon. The match will be a homecoming for Jose Mourinho, Chelsea boss, as he served as part of Sporting coaching team in 1991–1992. Back then, the special one was tasked to assist manager Bobby Robson.
However, the sweet memory will not affect Mourinho tonight as he plans on winning the game. After playing a draw against Schalke in the first match, Chelsea intended to win all three points in tonight’s match to secure the group’s table.
Unfortunately, Chelsea will be without top striker Diego Costa, as the team’s doctor said Costa would not be available for the next two matches due to injury recovery. Therefore, Mourinho is left with veteran striker Didier Drogba, whose performance has not been close to satisfying.
On the other hand, Sporting have had an impressive run in the domestic league, having not been defeated in the last five matches. Sporting’s last match ended up in a draw against another Portuguese giant FC Porto.
REUTERS | SKY SPORTS | ADITYA BUDIMAN