Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (centre) watches his players train ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash against Turkish side Galatasaray. (Reuters)

DPA/Berlin


Manchester United have to overcome a deficit to defeat Olympiacos in the Champions League but Chelsea are in a better position to progress after a first leg scoring draw at Galatasaray.
Chelsea look to complete the job against Galatasaray today after a 1-1 draw in Turkey but have to recover from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Willian and Ramires were both sent off while manager Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in a fractious game that was a major setback to Chelsea’s title aspirations.
Mourinho should have a full squad available for the Galatasaray tie after Fernando Torres passed a fitness test on Friday. The Chelsea boss also complained at scheduling that saw his side play in the late kick-off on Saturday, believing the fixture could have been shifted to allow more preparation time before the Galatasaray game.
“If we played on Friday night, it makes a difference to who?” he asked. “Less spectators at Villa Park? I don’t think so. It’d be a full house, the same. And for television? It wouldn’t make a difference. If it was the only match on TV, the (audience) share would be fantastic. Would it be good for Chelsea? Yes. Would it be good for English football? Yes.”
Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba is sure of a warm reaction as he returns to a club with whom he spent eight years, winning three league titles and a Champions League.
Manchester United used to be famous for their comebacks, but the side facing Olympiacos tomorrow is not the Manchester United of old.
A 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday highlighted just how much of a struggle it has been for David Moyes in his first season after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.
United have won just once against teams in the top nine of the Premier League this season and if they are to have anything left to play for this season, they must overcome a 2-0 deficit against Olympiacos, who wrapped up their 41st Greek title at the weekend.
The other matches hang less in the balance as both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund secured comfortable first-leg wins over Schalke and Zenit St Petersburg respectively.
Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid, is considering ringing the changes for today’s second leg at home to Schalke.
He has two motives for resting several regulars. On the one hand, the tie is practically settled, given that Los Blancos enjoyed a 6-1 romp in the first leg.
Secondly, he will be keen to avoid injuries and fatigue before Sunday’s Spanish league Clasico at home to Barcelona.
One man sure to miss out is striker Karim Benzema, who suffered a thigh strain in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Malaga. Youngster Jese will probably come in for Benzema.
Another regular who will be rested is goalkeeper Diego Lopez. Lopez has played in every Liga match, performing quite well, while Ancelotti has opted for Spain veteran Iker Casillas in the Champions League and Spanish cup.
Lopez and Casillas are getting along fairly well, despite—or maybe even because of—Ancelotti’s decision.
“Iker is the club captain and a symbol in the team. He has always been helpful with me and I have an enormous respect for him,” said Lopez on Sunday. “We are competing for a place in the best team in the world, but we maintain our respect for each other.”
Borussia Dortmund won 4-2 in Russia against Zenit St Petersburg but inconsistent form means Juergen Klopp’s men cannot afford to be complacent ahead of Wednesday’s home leg.
Dortmund were defeated 2-1 at home by Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday and will not take anything for granted against the Russians.
“We face another tough game on Wednesday. We don’t think that we are already through to the quarter-finals. St Petersburg will be pushing us to the limit,” said Marcel Schmelzer.
Marco Reus may not recover from injury in time to play but there is positive news as Henrikh Mkhitaryan can return from domestic suspension.