"The first objective is to arrive at the final."
-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti on this season's Champions League
The journey begins Tuesday at Stamford Bridge. The Blues welcome FC Porto, a familiar opponent in this competition, to the Bridge for our Group D opener.
As pointed out by CA, anything less than a spot in the final will be seen as a disappointment. We've reached the semifinals in five of the last six seasons. We were a spot kick away from a title in 2008. A grotesquely inept official kept us from reaching a second consecutive final just five months ago.
Will it all finally come together for the Blues this term? Only time, and results, will tell.
Team news: Drogba and Bosingwa are out, beginning suspensions stemming from last season's semifinal debacle. Deco, Joe Cole and Alex are also sidelined. Zhirkov could make his competitive debut, though it's highly doubtful. Basically, we're razor thin.
Bruma and Hutchinson likely will make the bench. Could Sturridge be in line for a start alongside Anelka? Will Ancelotti abandon his trusted 4-4-2 now that he's without the focal point, i.e. Drogba?
Guess we'll have to wait and see how it plays out.