Chelsea were held to a draw in Cluj tonight as their hosts defended stubbornly and even posed a danger of their own on the counter. The points were shared though and both teams go into matchday three with four points.
Rookies and respect are key words in the European tie between Cluj Napoca and Chelsea. The Blues' manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is in his rookie season in Europe's premier cup competition... so too are Cluj who have only been in Liga 1 in Romania for three years but are already reigning Champions. Both Cluj and Scolari boasted a 100 per cent start to their Champions League careers prior to kick-off, a fact that was guaranteed to change once the evening's proceeding's grew to a close.
Chelsea would not underestimate the Transylvanian team like AS Roma so infamously did a fortnight ago - going into a first half lead only to allow Juan Culio room to strike two technically excellent goals. The Stamford Bridge outfit left London on Monday, and the extra day of preparation is a measure of the seriousness and respect they are bestowing on their opponent. Cluj on the other hand pay no respect to reputation...
FIRST HALF
A series of missed opportunities ran through the first half like a stream overflowing with slips, lapses of concentration, and wild miscues.
Chelsea were initially wary of their Romanian opposition, who - at times - played with eleven men behind the ball - but, when Cluj countered, they countered quickly and the better chances fell to the home side.
Trica was proffered two golden chances to take the lead but he squandered both. The first was from a lobbed pass that was coming over his left shoulder but he failed to connect with the ball and wildly lashed at thin air. Then, ten minutes later, sliced another volley well wide of the target.
He was not the only one erring on a jetty of mishaps though. Frank Lampard slid to the floor while taking a free kick and another of his set pieces moments later found Didier Drogba but the powerful Ivorian mistimed his shot and the ball scooted between his spooned legs.
SECOND HALF
Salomon Kalou - who had a half to forget in the opening 45 minutes - was replaced at the break with Nicolas Anelka. His fellow Frenchman, Florent Malouda, was one of the few players to make mentionable runs, crosses, and his general play was typical of the resurgance that he is currently enjoying under his new manager.
Despite the competence of Malouda's low crosses, Cluj's defence - notably Cadu and Tony - snuffed out the danger before Didier Drogba could even get a sniff of a shot.
Scolari's hand was forced on the hour mark as Drogba pulled up injured. On came Bellitti and the visitors had to alter their shape. Perhaps a tactical switch would bring a change of fortunes. Reports emerged later that Drogba had suffered ligament damage and was having further scans as their was an indication the 30-year old may have sustained a fracture, too.
Frank Lampard constantly fought to alter the scoreline but his clearest shot on goal was a comfortable routine save by the Cluj 'keeper Stancioiu.
Similarly down the other end Culio looked to break the deadlock from outside the box his left footed drive was blocked by a sea of Chelsea yellow.
Ten minutes from time Trica struck the best effort as he dribbled toward the edge of the Chelsea box, dragged the ball away from the opposition to open the ball onto his left foot, but his powerful drive kissed the edge of the post as a beaten Cech looked thankful.
As the minutes ticked closer to time Cluj looked like the more likely of scorers. Pereira who had charged down the left flank battled for the ball on the line and ended up forcing Cech into a point-winning save after Bosingwa almost deserted his defensive duty.
Line-Ups
CFR Cluj Napoca: Stancioiu - Pereira; da Sousa; Cadu; Tony - Muresan; Dani - Juan Culio; Trica; Dubarbier - Kone.
Chelsea: Cech - Bridge; Terry; Alex; Bosingwa - Mikel; Ballack; Lampard; Malouda; Kalou - Drogba.
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