Chelsea FC can take their foot off the gas for their last Champions League group stage match. The Blues put in a spectacular performance to leave Germany with a 5-0 victory against Schalke 04.
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John Terry broke the deadlock when he got on the end of a Cesc Fabregas corner in only the second minute of the match — Chelsea’s fastest ever Champions League goal. By halftime, the score was already 3-0. Willian scored the second with a powerful shot, after a bit of brilliant passing between himself (Willian), Fabregas and Eden Hazard; the third came in the form of a Jan Kirchhoff own goal.
Schalke pressed the Blues a bit higher in the second half, but things would get no better for Chelsea legend Roberto Di Matteo and his men. Didier Drogba — another Chelsea legend — would give his team a 4-0 lead — with his 50th goal in the Champions League — shortly after replacing a visibly angry Diego Costa.
Costa, who had a frustrating night, headed straight down the tunnel after he saw his number go up.
The Blues were not done yet, Ramires — another substitute — put the icing on the cake by scoring Chelsea’s fifth goal of the match. The Brazilian headed into an empty net after receiving a lovely cross from Drogba.
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Chelsea have officially won Group G, they now have a lighter burden, as they could now rest their starters for the last match vs Sporting Lisbon. Jose Mourinho will be pleased with the performance, it was ruthless and relentless. Roman Abramovic won’t be disappointed either, as he finally has what he has wanted since buying the club — winning with beautiful football.
Prior to the match, Mourinho motivated his players with a Europa League scare, it surely got them going and they hardly put a foot wrong. The manager highlighted the fact that it was still possible to be left out of the round of 16 if they lost their last two games.
"“Now we have two matches but it would be better for us to qualify here. We have so many matches in December, if we can avoid a crucial match and that pressure it would be very good for us. The reality is we need points. This team is one state of evolution and going into Europa League would be very bad. A team gets better and evolution is faster when they play in the best competition against the best teams.”-Jose MourinhoSource: The Guardian"
The manager also downplayed Di Matteo’s Champions League success with the Blues back in 2012, but refused to say anything about the man himself. He did his talking on the pitch — he may have been a wee bit too loud though, a five nil drubbing was too much for the Former Chelsea manager. I feel sorry for him myself.
The only thing missing from tonight’s wonderful victory was a Costa goal, but it was nice to see Willian get his name on the score-sheet, the winger is often criticized for his meager contribution on the offensive end.
The Blues can now focus on the Premier League until February, but their immediate focus will be on Sunderland. The Black Cats took three points from Chelsea last season, revenge will surely be on the cards.