The Last Stand

CHELSEA



There is only one way to define Chelsea Football Club. BA and AA. Before Abromovich and After Abramovich. Before the Russian arrived in West London, the Blues were chancers, a club hoping for success but it was never guaranteed, especially under the stale ownership of Ken Bates. A club with a rich history before the oligarch arrived, with working-class heroes such as Peter Osgood and Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris. Chelsea were a far cry from the super-rich club most supporters now associate them with. Nowadays, Chelsea fans are mocked in England as being the latest set of fans dubbed ‘glory supporters,’ being fans who follow the success no matter how far the ground is from your doorstep. Manchester United in England, Madrid in Spain, Juventus in Italy are all victims of ‘glory supporting’, and quite often take away the real ‘soul’ of a club.



The Old Shed End- Stamford Bridge





Before this new breed of fan, Chelsea fans were known as some of the most vociferous, loyal in the land, with a strong connection to London. The Shed End was one of the loudest in Britain. And now? A different Chelsea, a winning Chelsea yes, but it’s not the same. Stamford Bridge can hear a pin drop at times. Some elements still remain, but they are out-numbered by fans on a day trip to Chelsea.



Villas Boas- Chelsea coach



Before Roman Abramovich arrived, Chelsea only had one league title to their name, but also three FA Cups, two League Cups and two Cup-Winners Cups. Many of these trophies were won in the late 90’s under Italian Gianluca Vialli, with star players such as Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo. But by the time the Russian billionaire arrived, Chelsea were laboured. Since his arrival, the club has won three league titles, three FA Cups and two leagues cups, as well as finishing runners-up in the Champions League final, one slip from John Terry in the shoot-out proving decisive.



Now under former Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea are struggling in the league and will have full focus on victory over Napoli in the first knock-out round of the European Cup.



NAPOLI



Just as the blues of London have two defined era’s, the Azzurri of Napoli are split by two events. Before Maradona and After Maradona. Before the Argentine arrived at the southerners, Napoli were a big club (the fourth biggest in Italy by fan-base) with nothing to celebrate. When Maradona clinched two Scudetto almost by himself, it created a legend still celebrated today.

In the early days of Serie A, the club based under the shadow of Vesuvius were simply a top half team under English manager William Garbutt, including two 3^rd placed finishes, but soon fell away and before the war only survived relegation on goal average. The trend of being nearly men continued well into the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, with plenty of second and third places, but nothing to show for their efforts. But by the time a certain Argentine arrived in 1984, Napoli were a club fighting relegation.



Maradona at San Paolo



On his arrival, Maradona was out-played on his first game with the Azzurri by Hellas Verona defender Briegel as the Veronese won 3-1. It was a rare moment, as the Argentina dazzled and wowed fans all around Italy, with Napoli going from nearly men to Scudetto winners in the 1986-87, winning the double. They added a second title in 1989-90 and also won the UEFA Cup against Stuttgart.

Never again would the discriminated Neapolitans have it so good, and the downside to the success was the expectations of the fans rose. As the 80’s turned into the 90’s, Napoli fell in the most dramatic of events. Stars were sold, Maradona left after being exposed as a drug cheat (the press were no longer willing to cover for him) and Napoli were finally relegated to Serie B in 1998 after only two league wins in front of an almost empty stadium. By the early 2000’s Napoli was a shell of itself and finally folded, re-starting in Serie C under current president Aurelio De Laurentiis. Napoli climbed back and after a couple of strong finishes in Serie A finished 3^rd last season to seal their Champions League spot.

The Game

The pressure on both coaches is immense heading into the game. Napoli sit 7^th, whilst Chelsea are 5^th. Both are out of the running for the league title, and both need to work hard to make the Champions League again next year, particularly Napoli with Serie A losing a spot to Germany this season after consistently poor displays in Europe over recent years.

The key for Chelsea is allowing Juan Mata to have the ball and ensuring a fragile defence holds strong against a Neapolitan strike-force that on it’s day can be one of the best in the World. Villas Boas will be keen to ensure discipline in the San Paolo during the away leg, away goals are always key but more so knowing the tendancies and beauty of Napoli’s raids away from home. The Champions League has always remained Roman Abramovich’s main aim ever since arriving in West London, now the Chelsea must make this a priority as an early exit here could spell the end for their Portuguese coach and any realistic hopes of a trophy this season.



The trident..Hamsik, Lavezzi, Cavani



Napoli’s form has been poor compared to their unbelievable display last season. Coach Walter Mazzarri will not be on the touchline for the Italians after being banned for pushing a Villarreal player during the last game of the group stage. His presence last year, marauding along the touchline often galvanised his side, although he’s cut a more insance character this season. If a team could ever give their coach a heart-attack, Napoli could kill-off theirs.

Mazzarri needs his front three, Cavani, Hamsik and Lavezzi to be the monsters they were last season. They will be gifted chances by a Chelsea side un-aware of defensive responsibilities and must take maximum points from their home game, or at the least draw 0-0. Maggio raiding down the right could be decisive, taking defenders with him and leaving space for the trident.