By Alex Monye
Chelsea supporters say their club may be down, but not out. The former English champions are marooned in the 11th position on the English Premier league table and their recent performances in the league have not given the fans any sign that their fortune would change soon.
Yet, they are optimistic that the ball would soon roll to their advantage. It better starts happening now because the Stamford Bridge outfit must get it right against Real Madrid today or bid the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League title goodbye.
Chelsea lost the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu 2-0 and must score three times without conceding any to advance to the semifinals of the competition they have won two times.
But for a team that have not scored in their last three matches, it looks like a mission impossible. However, goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, thinks otherwise.
Arrizabalaga has urged his team-mates to ‘believe’ they can pull off a dramatic Champions League comeback against holders Real Madrid, as he calls on the side to produce a ‘big performance’ after dismal campaign.
According to mailonline.com, Arrizabalaga wants his team to fight until the end to pull off an unlikely comeback this night.
He has admitted that Chelsea are lacking confidence at the moment, but has urged his team-mates to take inspiration from previous comebacks in the competition, as they look to progress to the semifinals.
“We have to believe until the end. In these stadiums, remontadas can happen and we have to believe it can happen tomorrow. We have to try our best, we need a big performance.”
In the second game of the night, Napoli welcome back Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen, as they try to upturn a one-goal deficit from their first encounter at San Siro.
Luciano Spalletti’s runaway league leaders sit 22 points above Milan, the reigning Serie A champions, but have suffered two quick-fire defeats at the hands of a club that is emerging as Napoli’s bogey team.
Milan’s title defence is all but over, yet Stefano Pioli’s side have scored five goals without reply across their past two meetings with Napoli.
As each manager rotated key stars, both sides were held to tepid draws on their return to domestic duties last weekend.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was booked twice in the space of five second-half minutes, earning himself a red card, which rules him out of the upcoming tie.
Spalletti has lauded Kim Min-jae as the ‘best defender in the world’ this season, but the centre-back will not be available to show his worth in Naples after collecting a suspension-inducing yellow card four minutes after Anguissa’s red.
This is arguably the most exciting second leg of this season’s Champions League quarterfinals. There are a glut of intriguing personal battles scattered all over the pitch; can Khvicha Kvaratskhelia get the better of Davide Calabria, will Ismael Bennacer continue to snuff out Stanislav Lobotka, is Rafael Leao going to run around, over and through Giovanni Di Lorenzo again?
However, there will be a new element tossed into this febrile matchup, which has been missing from the previous three meetings between the clubs this season. Osimhen’s influence on this Napoli side stretches far beyond his hefty tally of 25 goals this season – though that alone would be significant.
The impossibly long-legged striker is a one-man swarm, hell-bent on unsettling even the most unflappable backline. With Osimhen back through the middle, roared on by a crowd once again unified after peace talks with the owner, Napoli are more than capable of overturning the first-leg deficit to ensure their remarkable campaign doesn’t end in the last eight.
Nigerian fans in Owerri have opportunity of following the matches at the exquisite Chilis Bar.
The Heineken ‘Cheers to all fans campaign’ is adding an extra layer of excitement by offering a unique viewing experience to fans and loyal consumers alike.
According to Portfolio Manager, Premium Lager, Sampson Oloche, Heineken is taking fans’ experience to new heights this season.
“Yes, we are going full swing in Owerri on Tuesday at the Chilis Bar. I guarantee there is so much to look forward to beyond the action on the pitch as we have lined up quite a lot for the night,” Oloche stated.
Bants, beer, laced with top-notch music from superstar artists, as well as plenty of prizes for smart fans, who excel in the simple quiz competitions are some of the guaranteed features already in place for Tuesday night at the Chilis Bar.
The ‘Cheers to all fans campaign’ is aimed at bringing fans together to enjoy the game, regardless of which team they support.
“Will you be shouting Blue or White” was the poser posted on the Heinekenng Instagram page over the weekend.
“It’s a celebration of the love for the sport and the passion, whether you are shouting White or Blue, Heineken unites fans regardless of the outcome,” Oloche said.
According to Oloche, after the explosive night in Owerri, Heineken’s Cheers to all fans campaign will move to Warri and Abuja when the attention shifts to the second-leg semifinal games.
The climax of the campaign, the Champions League final in Lagos, promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans, he said.
Source: The Guardian