Chelsea 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 2: Scare highlights why Blues must not pension off the golden oldies

Ageing greats will need to return if Chelsea are to have any hope of retaining trophy
Victor Moses celebrates his winning goal with Juan Mata and Gary Cahill
Getty Images
James Olley8 November 2012

Chelsea have spent heavily to reinvent themselves this summer but a fortuitous victory over Shakhtar Donetsk last night suggests they will need their old guard to mount a serious defence of their Champions League crown.

Building a new side is often a painstakingly slow process, especially when the foundations are so deep rooted as at Stamford Bridge. Together with the departed Didier Drogba, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard formed the cornerstones of a team that conquered England and Europe.

Last night was the first time in 104 Champions League matches dating back to a clash against Sparta Prague in September 2003 that this illustrious quartet were all absent from Chelsea’s starting line-up.

Factor in the plethora of new faces at the club and Roberto di Matteo’s task of changing to a more attacking style of play, then it can be understood why Chelsea’s display against the talented Ukrainians was disjointed and alarmingly vulnerable.

Credit is due for their durability in somehow extracting three points from an awkward evening in west London — it was an act reminiscent of the escapology that became a trademark of their run to glorious success in Munich back in May.

But Shakhtar were the more composed throughout — aside from a kamikaze display from goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov — as Terry, Cole and Lampard’s replacements faltered to destabilise the home side.

Gary Cahill and David Luiz remain unconvincing as a centre-back pairing but in fairness they were afforded little cover by the midfield duo of John Obi Mikel and Ramires who resembled a colander more than a shield.

With Oriol Romeu woeful in his past two matches, the decision to allow both Michael Essien and Raul Meireles to depart in the summer looked a mistake again.

However, it was Ryan Bertrand who struggled the most. The 23-year-old has great potential — the maturity he displayed in making his competition debut in last season’s final lingers in the memory — but he was given a torrid time last night.

After slipping to allow Fernandinho to tee up Willian for Shakhtar’s first equaliser, Darijo Srna galloped down his flank to set up the same player to restore parity just after the interval.

“We probably lacked a bit of experience in terms of not having Lampard and Cole available and JT didn’t play,” said Di Matteo.

“There was a lot of Champions League experience that wasn’t on the pitch. Under normal circumstances you’d like them there, given the tremendous pressure we were under for parts of this game. The players who played deserved huge praise for weathering that. We managed to win the game under a lot of pressure.”

Fernando Torres benefited from Pyatov’s lackadaisical attitude — Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu described himself as “very angry and disgusted” with his goalkeeper — to score the opener but Oscar’s strike in restoring Chelsea’s lead was of supreme quality.

Pyatov gifted him the chance to find an empty net from at least 35 yards and the Brazilian obliged with flawless technique. Willian levelled up proceedings again, finishing the move of the match that included Fernandinho’s defence-splitting pass and Alex Teixeira’s instinctive dummy, before substitute Victor Moses netted with the final act of an enthralling game.

Chelsea improved in the second half and gradually asserted themselves as Shakhtar began to tire and there is clearly a resolve present in Di Matteo’s side regardless of their composition.

The future will, of course, be without Terry, Cole and Lampard but all three have significant roles to play while the next generation comes of age.

Both Cole and Lampard are yet to commit their futures to Stamford Bridge with the club reluctant to sanction long-term deals for ageing players but they are still capable of bringing solidity to Chelsea’s play, even if their individual form has suffered to a degree in recent outings.

Terry certainly seemed to feel duty bound in reminding everyone of his presence. Several clubs use bike machines on the touchline to keep substitutes warm but rarely has such a method been employed at Chelsea.

The sight of Terry pedalling away with Chelsea toiling at 2-2 was an embarrassing attention seeking act but Di Matteo’s explanation over the 31‑year-old’s absence was both legitimate yet a brave call.

“JT is a fantastic player for this club,” said the Italian. “He’s got many qualities and I’m very happy that he’s back available for us after his [four game domestic] ban.

“But considering the past four weeks in his professional life, he’s had one competitive game, and I thought we needed players who were 100 per cent match fit for a game like this.

“I’m very glad that he’s back with us now and is available because we will certainly need him.”

Terry’s organisational skill and positional sense was missed in a defence that Di Matteo admits will have to improve if they are to get the draw required in Juventus to keep qualification from Group E in their own hands. “Look at the goals — we had a lot of players back so we weren’t out-numbered,” he said.

“But we have to work on the optimism of the defensive organisation in general. It’ll certainly improve over time.”

As will Chelsea without their ageing greats but they still have a role to play on this evidence.

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