Match Report: Steaua Bucharesti 0-4 Chelsea FC

Chelsea beat Steaua Bucharest, the Romanian league champions who we eliminated from last year’s Europa league to seal our first win in Champions League campaign. Ramires was on the score sheet 2 times as he recorded a fabulous double to help us to a 4-0 win at the National stadium. Other two goals came from an own goal and a Frank Lampard strike. It’s a big relief after for Jose Mourinho’s team as the Blues were shocked at home by Basel in the opening match of the group stage losing 2-1. Now, let’s see how this game played out right to the end of a crucial 3 points…

But, it was not all positive for the Blues all night long as Fernando Torres had to limp off right on the 11th minute to be substituted by Samuel Eto’o. The Spaniard started the match at the disposal of Eto’o as he was banned for the red card against Tottenham in domestic fixtures. But, good news is that Nando has escaped a lengthy 4 game ban for his actions which was clarified by official statement from the FA on the day of this match.  Let’s now check the starting 11s of both teams and substitutes…

Starting 11s

Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, D Luiz, Terry (c), Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Oscar (Azpilicueta 78), Mata (Willian 80), Schurrle; Torres (Eto’o 10).

Steaua: (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu; Georgievski (Varela 70), Szukala, Gardos, Latovlevici; Bourceanu (c), Filip; Popa, Stanciu,Tanase; Piovaccari.

Summary: 

Fernando Torres was again the preferred option up front despite being sent off at White Hart Lane, but he lasted just 11 minutes before leaving the field with a knee injury and being replaced by Samuel Eto’o. Chelsea kept up the intensity and the closed roof at the National Arena meant there was no reason to have any concerns about the state of the pitch following significant rainfall in Bucharest in the days leading up to the fixture.

Chelsea were firmly in control in the beginning exchanges of the match and it was no surprise when Ramires gave the visitors the lead after just 19 minutes. Schurrle burst past Georgievski on the left wing before squaring the ball for Eto’o, whose scuffed shot turned into a perfect assist as Ramires reacted quickly to prod in from close range.

2nd goal came just before half-time when Eto’o latched on to a clever Mata pass and cut inside his defender before shooting powerfully at goal. Even though the keeper made a brilliant save, the ball rebounded of a team mate, Georgievski and went straight back into the net for a Chelsea goal. Then the Blues had to wait until the 2nd half to score the 3rd goal of the game.

Chelsea made it 3-0 in the 55th minute and the goal again stemmed from Schurrle, who turned away from the hapless Georgievski with a neat piece of skill before crossing for Oscar. He helped the ball on for Ramires and the midfielder notched his second of the game with a fine finish inside Tatarusanu’s left-hand post. Mata hit the post moments later following a slick move which contained the most exquisite of back-heels by Oscar, while Schurrle was denied by Tatarusanu after another good run down the left.

Then, after a lot of chances and attempts on goal from Chelsea, mostly coming from Schurrle’s impressive display on the wing, Lampard found the back of the net late in the game to seal a perfect 4-0 win. It was a precise low finish from 20 yards that went in off the post in the 90th minute, on a night when Chelsea got their Group E campaign into safe hands and it know looks much better that we will qualify out of the group stage after a shock defeat in the first match against Basel.

Notice: Some parts of this Report was courtesy of Sky Sports and an additional contribution from my self just to clear it up. Credit goes to them for the stats and pics of the match. Thanks for reading and KTBFFH! Follow on twitter (@FahmiCFC)