Liam Rosenior will be in his fourth competition as Chelsea boss as he gets a taste of Champions League football at Stamford Bridge against Pafos
Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior is set for his first Champions League game in charge of Chelsea(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Chelsea are set to compete in their fourth different competition in as many games as they welcome Pafos FC to Stamford Bridge for Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase encounter. With just two matches remaining, the Blues sit two points outside the automatic last-16 qualification spots, while the Cypriot visitors are still in contention for a playoff berth.
Newly-appointed head coach Liam Rosenior faces a baptism of fire, making his Champions League debut for Chelsea shortly after taking charge in the EFL Cup, FA Cup, and Premier League. Prior to Enzo Maresca’s unexpected departure, the Italian oversaw a mixed start to Chelsea’s European campaign, registering three wins, one draw, and two defeats from their opening six league-phase fixtures—the latest being a heartbreaking 2-1 loss away to Atalanta BC on matchday six.
Chelsea have also dropped points against Bayern Munich and Qarabag this season, leaving them 13th in the standings and outside the top eight. However, the table remains tightly packed, with the Blues just three points adrift of third-placed Paris Saint-Germain. Notably, all of Chelsea’s European slip-ups this term have come away from home; at Stamford Bridge, they have defeated Barcelona, Ajax, and Benfica, and are now unbeaten in 17 UEFA group stage or league-phase matches on their own turf. The hosts also boast a 21-game scoring streak in European competition and come into this clash off the back of a routine 2-0 Premier League victory over Brentford—their second win in eight outings across all competitions.
Pafos, meanwhile, trail Chelsea by only four points in the Champions League table and have made a strong impression in their debut campaign. The Cypriot side, who share Chelsea’s record of two defeats, have taken points off Villarreal, Monaco, Olympiacos, and Kairat—most notably beating Villarreal 1-0 in November and holding the other three to draws. As a result, Albert Celades’s men are still very much in the playoff hunt, sitting 26th and just one point behind Copenhagen, who currently occupy the final knockout spot in 24th.
Consistency, however, has eluded Pafos, as evidenced by their unexpected 2-0 loss to Olympiakos Nicosia in domestic action over the weekend, which leaves them five points behind Cypriot First Division leaders Omonoia Nicosia with a game in hand. Their away form in Europe has also been a concern, as they have yet to find the net on their Champions League travels and enter their first-ever meeting with an English club as clear underdogs.
Chelsea vs Pafos Team News
Chelsea’s victory over Brentford came at a price, as centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo was forced off just before the hour mark with hamstring tightness, an injury that will sideline him for several weeks. The Blues will also be without Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping ban), Romeo Lavia (thigh), and Levi Colwill (knee), while Enzo Fernandez is a major doubt due to illness. On a positive note, Malo Gusto, Estevao Willian, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens are available for selection again.
Given the opposition, Rosenior may see Wednesday’s fixture against Pafos as a prime opportunity to rotate his squad, which could mean starts for Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos, and possibly Tyrique George.
On the Pafos side, former Chelsea defender David Luiz is set to miss a reunion with his old club after picking up an injury just 12 minutes into their weekend defeat. His replacement, David Goldar, and attacker Joao Correira also left the field with injuries, leaving manager Celades with three fresh fitness concerns ahead of their trip to the Club World Cup champions.
As a result, Pafos could be short-handed in defense on Wednesday, with Derrick Luckassen—brother of Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey—likely to partner makeshift centre-back Bruno Langa at the heart of the backline.
Chelsea vs Pafos Prediction
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