KICK OFF: 12:15 am IST
Chelsea FC take on Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their opening match of the 2015 UEFA Champions League campaign early on Thursday morning.
Jose Mourinho's men have made probably their worst start to the English Premier League campaign, having won just one in the first 5 matches the club played. After settling with Swansea for a 2-2 draw in their opening match, Chelsea lost 3 out of the 4 matches they played. Chelsea lost 3-0 to Manchester City, 2-1 to Crystal Palace and 3-1 to Everton. The only match in Chelsea won was against West Bromwich Albion, having won 3-2. With just 4 points, Chelsea are just two points clear off the relegation zone. The three losses suffered by Chelsea this season is equal to the number of losses Chelsea suffered in the entire 2014/15 season.
After this horrendous start to the Premier League campaign, Chelsea will be looking forward to boost their confidence by winning their opening Champions League match against Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Jose Mourinho, seems to be confident, despite a poor start to the season. Talking to reporters, Mourinho said: "It is the same the fans sing every game. We know what we are. We are champions of England. We have started so bad but it is not because of that that somebody can steal what we are. Nobody can steal our trophies or our history. Some teams have to go back years for good results. We have to go back months.Now we play a new competition. There are zero points for everyone and I know that two years ago we lost the first match at home and last season we drew and we had to win games in Germany and Lisbon, so if we can win, we put ourselves in a better position. After this we go to Porto and Kiev, two difficult matches away so it is important we win tomorrow and that is what we are going to try to do."
The last time Maccabi Tel Aviv faced an English team, it was Stoke City in 2011/12 Europa League, having lost 2-1 and 3-0 over both the legs, which resulted in Maccabi Tel Aviv finishing at the bottom of the group. The 2015/16 UEFA Champions League campaign will be Maccabi Tel Aviv's first appearance in the competition since 2004/05, which was their first ever appearance in the competition.
Unlike their opponents, Maccabi Tel Aviv have had a decent start to Israeli Premier League, winning two and drawing one of the opening three matches.
When asked on Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jose Mourinho replied, "Every team that is in the Champions League is a team in condition to get results.In their qualification play-off Maccabi Tel Aviv were good enough to beat Basel, a team that knocked Liverpool out the Champions League last year and beat Chelsea two years ago. We know we are the better team and we have to prove that in the game. But I respect Maccabi. I have watched them in many games and I did my study and know the team. I also have information that they have trained in a different tactical system and they probably come to play with five defenders."
Key Stats:
* This the first time Chelsea and Maccabi Tel Aviv play each in the Champions League.
* Chelsea have won 26 out of 35 home group matches in the Champions League
* 2015/16 UEFA Champions League is Chelsea's 13th consecutive participation
* Mourinho is one of five managers to have won the European Cup/Champions League with two different clubs
* If selected, John Terry with make his 650th start for the Blues.
* After winning the champions League with Inter Milan in 2010, Mourinho has been knocked out from the Champions League semi-final stage in four of the last five seasons (thrice with Real Madrid and once with Chelsea).
* Diego Costa failed to score a single goal in the Champions League last season for Chelsea.
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