Chelsea 1 – 2 Basel

Wednesday 18^th September from Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea 1 – 2 Basel

I’m taking nothing for granted after last year’s early dismissal. That being said we seem to have found ourselves a nice little group. We have drawn two teams that we beat on our way to Europa League glory last season, although I don’t think Thursday nights interest Mr Mourinho much. The 9 days that we greedily showed off both Europa League and Champions League trophies was worth the abuse incurred from being the first winners to crash out so early.

I guess to enjoy the good days in football you need to endure the bad ones – and this was a shocker. So after a long day in the office, a delay on the Piccadilly line and a quick pint of watered-down lager it was finally time for the Champions League to commence at Stamford Bridge.

It was the same old story for Chelsea in the first half. Controlled, dominant possession with little flare and penetration in the final third. It’s hard to impress when Basel arrives and shut shop, yet who are we to moan at the park-the-bus tactic in Europe. A lapse in concentration from Basel’s defence allowed Oscar to slip in and score right on the stroke of half time. Now the game would open up and the second half would be much better right? Wrong.

We remained in first gear after the break and, although Willian played well, Oscar was the only ‘young egg’ showing promise. The Brazilians long-range effort crashing off the crossbar was the closest we came to doubling our lead. Other than that we were poor. Eto’o may be roaring round West London in a Bugatti Veyron but he’s not made a sound on the pitch since his move from Anzi – another overpaid striker we’ve signed after he’s peaked.

Then first gear stumbled unthinkably into reverse.  The gap between defence and midfield was exposed once more and Basel equalised 20 minutes from time, the goal scorer Salah looked like Basel’s main threat both tonight and last season. Then bad went to worse on the 80-minute mark. Centre forward Marco Streller headed the visitors in front and ghosts of last year’s group stage re-appeared. The blues had no answer in the dying minutes, despite Mikel’s recent goal scoring form, and we begin this seasons Champions League campaign with the worst possible start.

Still, no need to panic. There’s plenty of time to get qualification back on track. I’m sure Mourinho won’t be panicking either. With the likes of Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Willian, De Bruyne etc. the only way is up. Hopefully.