UEFA Champions League 2011-12: Genk Vs Chelsea Return Leg Preview

Belgian club KRC Genk are set to host Chelsea in a Group E return leg encounter of the Champions League, on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

The first leg hosted by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on October 19, went 5-0 in the English club’s favour. After three matches played, Genk are at the bottom of the group, with just one point, while Chelsea have earned seven points from their three matches and are group leaders adrift of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen by a solitary point.

Genk are returning to the Champions League after a hiatus of nine years and celebrated their return to Europe’s elite club competition with a draw against Valencia, in their opening game. But a 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen followed by a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea have derailed the Belgian club’s aspirations in the group. Chelsea beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 and drew Valencia 1-1 before winning their home leg against Genk.

That match against Genk saw Fernando Torres return to form with a brace of goals against a Genk defence that lacked organisation.  The home side were up by two goals, within 11 minutes of the start of the game, with the first strike by Meireles followed by the second by Torres. Torres’ second goal, a header, also came in the first half, and the teams went into the interval with the Stamford Bridge squad leading  4-0, thanks to an Ivanovic header off a Malouda free-kick, on the stroke of half-time.

While Genk’s defence was ramshackle, their attack showed intent, with Kevin De Bruyne giving a good account of himself. De Bruyne will the focus of their attention on Tuesday, as Genk try to salvage any point they can from the game. But that will be easier said than done, as Chelsea, smarting from a home loss of 5-3 to Arsenal ont he weekend will be anxious to redeem themselves.

Tags: Arsenal, Chelsea, Preview, UEFA, Valencia

Category: Football, UEFA