Fernando Torres set to start for Chelsea against Genk
Spain striker expected to be given a run-out as he continues to serve his domestic ban but Ramires is out
Fernando Torres is expected to lead the Chelsea front-line in the Blues’ Champions League clash with Belgian side Genk on Wednesday.
The Spain striker is currently serving a three-game domestic suspension following his sending off during Chelsea’s win over Swansea City but is available for selection for the European clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea boss André Villas-Boas will be without midfielder Ramires after the Brazilian was forced off with a knee injury during the Blues’ defeat of Everton at the weekend, but David Luiz is included in the squad after sitting out Saturday’s clash.
The west Londoners go into Wednesday’s clash as firm favourites, but Villas-Boas, whose side top Group E with four points, has warned against complacency.
“It’s going to be difficult because when everybody expects you to win, you can relax yourself too much,” said Villas-Boas. “At the moment, the group is very open and anything can happen.
“We lost two points in Valencia that we wanted badly and we have to focus and concentrate ourselves on getting the six points against Genk, but it’s going to be very difficult.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes the Blues have become a more attacking side since Villas-Boas’s arrival at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
“We are the team who want to control the game, who want to play well with the ball,” he told a news conference. “We are not waiting for the game to finish. We want to kill the game off.”
And the Chelsea No1 believes his side need two more wins to book their place in the round of 16. He added: “With two victories, we will qualify for the next round.”
Pre-match facts: Chelsea v Genk
“¢ Chelsea have had 19 shots on goal in the Champions League, the joint highest total along with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“¢ Fernando Torres has set up two European goals for the Blues so far, the joint highest total in the competition.
“¢ Genk are one of four teams still awaiting their first Champions League group stage goal.
“¢ The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 league games and none in the last seven; the latter run is their longest since September 2003.
Read why The Tipster is backing Torres to score his first European goal for Chelsea on Wednesday
