CHELSEA HOSTS FC PORTO LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON SETANTA SPORTS AS GROUP STAGE OF UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BEGINS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
TORONTO (September 10, 2009) – Chelsea welcomes FC Porto to Stamford Bridge on the opening day of Group Stage play in the UEFA Champions League Tuesday, September 15 at 2:15 p.m. ET/ 11:15 a.m. PT live and exclusive on Setanta Sports.
Live coverage of Match Day 1 for all 32 teams in the Group Stage continues on Setanta Wednesday, September 16 at 2:15 p.m. ET/ 11:15 a.m. PT when two-time defending Belgian League champions Standard Liège host Arsenal from England’s Barclays Premier League.
Setanta also serves up same day coverage of four additional matches from Match Day 1 of Group Stage play of the UEFA Champions League:
Tuesday, September 15
Zurich v Real Madrid @ 5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT
Marseille v AC Milan @ 6:45 p.m. ET/ 3:45 p.m. PT
Wednesday, September 16
Olympiacos v Alkmaar Zaanstreek @ 5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT
Inter Milan v FC Barcelona @ 6:45 p.m. ET/ 3:45 p.m. PT
Since the Champions League adopted the Group Stage format for the 1992-93 season Chelsea has failed to claim the top prize in European club football. During the period since 1992-93 season the Blues have reached the final once (2008) falling to Premier League rival Manchester United 6-5 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Last season Chelsea lost a controversial semi final to eventual Champions League winner Barcelona. The first leg between the two clubs in Barcelona ended in a 0-0 draw. The second leg at Stamford Bridge finished in a 1-1 stalemate allowing Barcelona to advance to the final on the basis of away goals scored.
Four-time defending Portuguese domestic champions FC Porto captured the Champions League title in 2004 under coach José Mourinho. Last season Porto were eliminated in the two-match quarter final by 2008 champions and eventual 2009 runner-up Manchester United 3-2 on aggregate.
