After a scrappy, but ultimately, important win versus Stoke City on the weekend, more important matters are at hand, as The Blues prepare for the visit of Napoli on Wednesday.
Their opponents prepared in perfect fashion, as they thrashed Cagliari 6-3 on Friday night. Chelsea will no doubt have seen the scoreline, but that should have no effect come Wednesday night at the Bridge.
Battling from a 3-1 deficit received in Italy, Chelsea know they will have to focus on scoring goals, quickly, and early, and replicate Arsenals performance versus Milan, where they had clawed back 3 of the 4 goals they needed before half time.
Despite two less than impressive performances under Di Matteo, the form book will speak for itself, and it is 2 games, 2 wins, 0 conceded. The return of John Terry will be very important, and with Torres, Sturridge, and Mata rested from the starting line-up on Saturday, expect them to start on Wednesday, as Fernando Torres is just 10 minutes away from a full 24 hours without scoring, if could be a big confidence boost should Di Matteo start with him.
The hopes of England rest of their shoulders, as both Manchester teams exited from the group stages, and Arsenal, despite winning 3-0, were still eliminated. A similar scoreline would do Chelsea, and their away goal could be crucial, especially with Napoli scoring for fun, and with one of the best attacking trios in Europe.
The Blues will be lifted no doubt from the losses received by Tottenham and Liverpool this weekend, and if Arsenal fail to pick up points against high-flying Newcastle, then a victory against Napoli could well be the tonic they need to kick on for a top 4 finish.
Chelsea were dubbed to be in a crisis, but with 3rd spot in the Premier League still up for grabs, the final eight of the FA Cup, and a possible progression in the Champions League, people might start to talk more positively about the London side, and of Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked from West Bromwich Albion next season.
Supporters are expecting a big name to come in when Di Matteo has seen out the season, but with targets Pep Guardiola and Rafa Benitez seemingly distancing themselves from the post, if he keeps up the good form and puts in a strong end to the season, Abramovich could easily turn to him to take over full-time.
By Bradley Smith
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