Champions League: Chelsea v Galatasaray Preview
Didier Drogba
Team news, quotes and facts ahead of the Champions League last-16 second leg tie between Chelsea and Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge.
TEAM NEWS
Ashley Cole is a doubt for Chelsea after missing training on Monday with a knee problem ahead of their last-16 Champions League second leg against Galatasaray, with the score level at 1-1. David Luiz has shrugged off a groin injury and could feature in midfield. Mohammed Salah and Nemanja Matic are ineligible having represented Basel and Benfica respectively earlier in the tournament.
Didier Drogba – who scored the winning penalty when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final – is expected to lead the line for Galatasaray. Aydin Yilmaz, Gokhan Zan and Emre Colak all miss out through injury.
MANAGER QUOTES
Jose Mourinho: "He is one of the most important players in the history of this club. All we Chelsea supporters agree with that. We don't say he is the most important because it's not fair for other people who were at the same level and were of the same generation. His return has to happen one day, when I don't know. As a player, as a coach, as an ambassador, next year, in four or five years, 10 years, I don't know. But when a person gives so much to a club and a club represents so much to a person, as in this case, I think he has to be back one day."
Roberto Mancini: "We showed a lot of respect for them [Chelsea] in the first 20 minutes [of the first leg], probably because we were nervous. The mentality is important – the attitude that we have when we start this game. It's a good occasion for me because I have good memories of England. I did a very good job with Manchester City and I'm very happy to be back and in London in the Champions League. "
MATCH FACTS
Chelsea are unbeaten against Galatasaray (W2 D1), scoring seven goals and conceding only one.
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven Champions League knockout games (W4, D3).
Chelsea have won 10 of their last 12 home games in the Champions League (D1 L1).
The Blues have scored in each of their last 12 Champions League games at home. Manchester Utd were the last opposing side to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge in the competition on 6 April 2011.
Galatasaray have never won in England in eight trips in all competitions (D3 L5).
Galatasaray are winless in their last four away games in the Champions League (D1 L3), their last win dating back to the second leg of their last 16 tie against Schalke last season (3-2).
Galatasaray have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 16 Champions League games away from home. The last time they didn’t concede on their travels was back in September 2002 against Lokomotiv Moscow.
Galatasaray have conceded 15 goals in the Champions League this season, the highest tally among the 16 teams who have reached the knockout stages.
Fernando Torres has scored six goals in his last five Champions League starts.
Didier Drogba has scored more goals than any other player at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League (17).