Last season, Chelsea's run in the Champions League ended abruptly as they were edged out by PSG in the round of 16. It was a shocking end for a side that had won two continental titles in 2012 and 2013 and they will be hoping for better fortunes this time around.
Later today, the Blues will welcome a team they have never faced before: Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel-Aviv as they attempt to shift focus towards the start of a new continental campaign. However, this is something that is easier said than done given how things have gone so far for the hosts.
Chelsea
To say that Chelsea's season has been quite disappointing to date would be an understatement. Despite winning their fifth title last season, the Blues have struggled horribly and have picked up a dismal four points from their first quintet of games. This has been the worst start for the London giants since 1986 and so far they have conceded a whopping 12 goals, and to illustrate how concerning this is, last season it took till round 15 for them to reach the same number.
However, the Champions League is an entirely different affair and a perfect opportunity for a team to get onto the path to redemption. A prime example is Juventus, who like Chelsea, are their reigning league champions but have had a poor start domestically - yet have kicked off their continental campaign on the right foot after defeating Manchester City yesterday.
Although their defense has been shockingly porous, Chelsea do boast a good record at home and have only lost one of their 35 European competitions played at Stamford Bridge during the group stage. In theory, Israeli side Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who are returning to the Champions League after an eleven-year hiatus, should not present too much of a threat to this impressive record. Yet, in looking at their past history against Israeli sides, the Blues have not fared well. In their only meeting with another Tel Aviv based side - Hapoel - they lost and drew their two games during the 2001/2002 UEFA Cup.
Additionally, fans of Maccabi will be perhaps feeling more confident given that firstly, Thibaut Courtois is setto be out for the long-term due to a knee injury, and secondly, Chelsea have yet to win any of their matches at home this season. Nonetheless, in their fourteenth group stage campaign, the hosts have traditionally started off well with three draws and eight wins prior to a shock loss to Swiss outfit Basel back in September 2013.
Still, with just one win from their past six games across all competitions, pressure is mounting on Jose Mourinho and his squad to get things right this evening. And, as noted before, the Champions League could present the perfect launch-pad for them to get some positive momentum going to turn around their poor season.
In terms of striking options, Mourinho has two choices - Diego Costa or Loic Remy - given that his newest attacker's injury woes are not yet over. However, fans could see one of the team's new signings and Oscar on the pitch tomorrow:
Mourinho reports Oscar and Baba Rahman will be involved tomorrow. Falcao has a little problem and is out. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 15, 2015
Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Meanwhile, the visitors are back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2004/2005 season. Captain and attacking midfielder Eran Zahavi has led by example and has been in excellent form, with 11 goals in his last ten matches across all competitions and seven alone in the team's qualifiers to get to this stage. Interestingly, their coach, Slavisa Jokanovic, is quite familiar with Stamford Bridge, having spent some time there between 2000 and 2002 and even played alongside current Blues captain John Terry.
Maccabi will be coming into this game off a seven-match unbeaten run in both European and league fixtures and will be hoping to avoid the same outcome in the last and only time they met an English side. During the 2011/2012 Europa League group stages, the Israeli champions - who have never been relegated from their domestic league - were defeated 5-1 on aggregate by Stoke City.
Given their opponents' dismal run so far, Maccabi will be hoping to heap more misery on Mourinho's struggling troops. Will Chelsea be able to turn things around with a morale-boosting win?
Chelsea's team sheets
Chelsea's First XI: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill (c), Baba Rahman; Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Remy.
Chelsea's bench: Blackman, Terry, Ivanovic, Ramires, Matic, Traore, Diego Costa.
You won't want to miss out on what looks to be an interesting match! Make sure you bookmark our special Chelsea vs. Maccabi Tel-Aviv page here at LiveSoccerTV.com for all viewing options and times for wherever you call home.
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