SCS CFR 1907 Cluj SA vs. Chelsea FC, 0:0

After having caused an upset when they beat AS Roma two weeks ago CFR 1907 Cluj must believe that they can cause an even bigger upset when they take on the mighty Chelsea. That win has made pundits take note that they are not there just to make up the numbers. Cluj became the first Romanian side outside of the capital city Bucharest to have qualified. The team has a ‘United Nations’ look about it with four Argentineans, four Portuguese, three Brazilians, one Uruguayan and the highly talented Ivory Coast midfielder Emmanuel Kone. Cluj have not set the world alight in the domestic season as yet, but their opening match in Group A against AS Roma has been the club’s highlight thus far. Chelsea on the other hand have made a lively start under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and are unbeaten in the Premier League after six matches. Joe Cole will still be out with a tear in the muscle around his hip. Both Deco and Ricardo Carvalho with an upper thigh muscle tear and a knee injury respectively are still likely to be out for at least another two weeks. Salomon Kalou has travelled to Romania with the squad after having recovered from a slight knock that he received in the Stoke City match. With an away win under Cluj’s belt Chelsea may find this a tough away tie. On paper Chelsea’s star-studded line up will be too much for CFR Cluj, but it will most certainly not be as easy as that. Whoever wins this match will take control of Group A. A draw would favour both sides and it could be the eventual outcome. REVIEW: Of more concern to Chelsea will be the far-reaching affect that the Didier Drogba injury early in the second half will have on their domestic season as well as their quest for European glory. The Ivorian was stretchered off with a suspected knee injury that could keep him out of action for quite a while. CFR 1907 Cluj continued with their dream-like start to Champions League football with a workman-like 0-0 draw. To think that Cluj were in the third tier a mere six seasons ago and are now league and cup winners in Romania as well as playing alongside the best clubs in the world. After this draw they are equal on points with Chelsea at the top of Group A. In an effort to bolster their attack Luiz Felipe Scolari sent Nicolas Anelka on in place of Salomon Kalou. However a host of missed chances by both sides was enough to earn both teams one point.

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