For Chelsea, the Champions League Group F game against Marseille, on Tuesday, presents an opportunity to regain morale after two losses, last week.
The first was a mid-week defeat by Newcastle in the Carling Cup, the second, a Premier League capitulation to Manchester City. Carlos Tevez struck once for Manchester City, and let the defenders do the rest, to seal Chelsea's first defeat of the season.
Chelsea
The fact that the Champions League encounter is a home match at Stamford Bridge should be cause for comfort among Carlo Ancelotti's men.
Marseille manager Deschamps is no stranger to Stamford Bridge as he once had a brief stint at the helm of the London squad. The Frenchman also had a previous visit with Monaco, for a Champions League game, and Chelsea's loss in that match saw the Premier League champions crash out of the European tournament.
The last French team to visit Stamford Bridge was Bordeaux, on Laurent Blanc's watch. Chelsea was the winner on that occasion slamming in four goals while not conceding any. Marseille will not want to meet the same fate.
Marseille lost their opening match in Group F, a game in which they hosted Spartak Moscow. So the pressure will be on the French team to stave off defeat in the away game to Ancelotti's men.
Chelsea are certain to use the match as a redemption opportunity following their loss at the City of Manchester Stadium, on Saturday. But their cause is not likely to be helped by the absence of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.
Lampard has been advised rest after a hernia operation; Drogba is serving a suspension. Lampard's absence in midfield was a key factor in Chelsea's first defeat of the Premiership season.
Apart from Lampard and Drogba, Benayoun and Salomon Kalou will also not be available in the Marseille game, owing to injury.
Chelsea have already recorded a win in Group F, seeing off MSK Zilina in an away match, earlier this month. That was a convincing 4-1 victory, and Ancelotti will be hoping for a similar showing by his squad against the French visitors.
Daniel Sturridge is likely to partner Anelka in place of Drogba, and this could be a great opportunity for Sturridge to showcase his skills. The teenager already has a Premier League goal this season.
The pressure will be on Marseille as a loss could see them crash out of the Champions League, while Chelsea are more or less certain of qualifying for the next stage.
Despite their overweaning European ambitions, Chelsea will have an eye on their Premier league fortunes, even as they use the Marseille game to hone their act, ahead of the Arsenal match on Sunday.
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