UEFA Champions League 2015/16

[stokeriño]

Given that this is our third and therefore (hopefully) the 'rubber' tie against PSG, I believe the mandatory stipulation is that it be held inside of a steel cage.

Or possibly some sort of elimination chamber wherein Diego Costa and David Luiz are each only released into the fray on the 60 minute mark.

[Lineker]

Chelsea have had their ticket allocation for their Champions League last-16 match with Paris Saint-Germain cut because of the heightened security level in the French capital and the behaviour of their fans last year.

In a statement on the club’s website, Chelsea said their allocation for the match on 16 February will be 1,400, 800 fewer than last season. Away supporters for domestic matches in France have not been allowed since November’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

Chelsea made representations to have the allocation restored to the normal level but were denied because of the trouble in Paris last year, when supporters were alleged to have pushed a black man off the Paris Métro while chanting: “We’re racist and that’s the way we like it.”

A statement on the club’s website read: “With a heightened security situation in France ongoing, Chelsea Football Club has been advised by French authorities that we are to receive a smaller allocation of tickets for our supporters to attend the Champions League game away to Paris Saint-Germain on 16th February compared with our allocation for the similar match during the previous two seasons.

“The club will receive 1,400 tickets for next month’s game and, although a year ago we received 2,100 tickets, the reduced number does compare favourably with other clubs playing Champions League games this season at Parc des Princes. Ajax and Anderlecht were given approximately 800 tickets for their most recent games there. Away supporters at domestic league matches in Paris are not allowed following November’s terrorist attacks.

“While we are disappointed that not all our fans who want to go to the game will now be able to attend, we appreciate the Parisien authorities are operating in a heightened security environment.

“Chelsea met with Paris police (including their commissioner), Uefa and our counterparts from PSG and made representations for the proposed ticket allocation to be set at previous levels. The club made our best effort to obtain the full allocation but was advised it would not be possible due to issues that occurred with Chelsea fans in the Paris tube and elsewhere last year, in addition to the ongoing security situation.”

[Lineker]

Manchester City fans will be able to attend the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash away to Dynamo Kyiv after Uefa cut the Ukrainian club’s three-match stadium ban for racist behaviour and crowd disturbances down to one following appeal.

Supporters from both clubs had been set to be excluded from attending the fixture on 24 February following sanctions imposed in the wake of disturbances during the game against Chelsea earlier this season in October 2015.

However, the European governing body announced in a statement on Tuesday evening the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body had decided to reduce the penalty to one behind closed doors, which was served out for the group game against Maccabi Tel-Aviv on 9 December. Kiev were also fined €50,000(£38,000).

Uefa had charged Kyiv over racist behaviour under article 14 of their disciplinary regulations, as well as for related crowd disturbances and the stairways at the Olympic Stadium being blocked which is against the safety and security regulations of the governing body.

Kyiv, though, are said to have argued their case for a reduction in the punishment based around the club’s attempts to tackle the issues head on, with one of the guilty fans already handed a suspended prison sentence.

Tuesday’s statement read: “The Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of 24 November 2015 is amended as follows:

“1. To order the FC Dynamo Kyiv to play one (1) Uefa competition match as host club behind closed doors. As the club has already played one match behind closed doors during the Uefa Champions League 2015/2016 match FC Dynamo Kyiv vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC played on 9 December 2015, the club has already served this sanction.

“2. To fine FC Dynamo Kyiv E 50.000.”

During October 2014, City fans had found themselves excluded from attending the Champions League fixture away to CSKA Moscow following sanctions against the Russians for violence and racist chanting. The second leg of the knockout tie will be held at the Etihad Stadium on 15 March.

[Lineker]

John Terry will not feature in Chelsea's last-16 tie at Paris St-Germain. Terry did not make the trip with the rest of the squad today due to a hamstring and ligament problem, described by the club as "minor". However, Oscar did travel.

[stokeriño]

So a backline of Baba - Ivanovic - Cahill - Azpilicueta against a team who basically won their domestic league months ago. Oh goodie.

[Lineker]

7 minutes ago, stokeriño said:

So a backline of Baba - Ivanovic - Cahill - Azpilicueta against a team who basically won their domestic league months ago. Oh goodie.

Don't worry mate, there's always next sea-oh.

[stokeriño]

I'm just hoping we squeeze into the Europa via reaching the FA Cup Final or some such nonsense. Screw all those who hate on that competition.

[MDK]

Do they still do the InterTwoBob Cup?

[Lineker]

Nope.

[stokeriño]

Alas, no.

[MDK]

[GA!]

Newcastle's only cup trophy in decades: an ornamental ball gag.

[stokeriño]

Miazga sighting on the Chelsea bench! Still no Pato though.

Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Baba Rahman, Fabregas, Mikel, Pedro, Willian, Hazard, Diego Costa

Subs: Begovic, Miazga, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Kenedy, Traore, Remy

With all the height of Terry, Zouma and Matic (who's suspended through yellows) removed on the team, I'd say a Zlatan headed goal is a good bet.

[Baddar]

I'm absolutely knackered but looking forward to the game tonight. I want goals! 

[stokeriño]

To become fluent in English, apparently all David Luiz had to do was move to France.

[stokeriño]

Even when on the ball, we look nervous as all fuck. Cesc gave possession away three times in the opening two minutes alone.

It may be a long night...

[Kyle]

Great night for neutrals though, a 3-0 Chelsea loss will be great fun.  

[Baddar]

Fucking hell, they're all having a go at wearing masks at Chelsea. Dave and Costa tonight, Fabregas and Cahill last season, and hasn't Matic had one on too? @stokeriño

[Lineker]

Shit, great save by Trapp.

[stokeriño]

^ Yep. people's noses (or in Azpi's case, cheekbone) keep getting broken...

And holy shit what a chance for Costa.