Champions League - Anelka: Cluj are no minnows

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Oct 15:56:00 2008

EXCLUSIVE! Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is cautious of Romanian minnows CFR Cluj ahead of their Champions League Group A clash, and played down the injury problems facing Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.

2008-2009 Chelsea Nicolas Anelka - 0

Champions League debutants Cluj beat Italian giants Roma 2-1 in the Stadio Olimpico in their first match in the group stages of the tournament.

And, while Anelka admits that they are an unknown quantity, he is taking nothing for granted.

"I might not know so much about Cluj and their players, but I know a bit about the history of Romanian football, the top national teams and the top players," Anelka told Eurosport. "It is always difficult to play against Romanian sides as they are technically strong and determined.

"I'd say they proved that when they held France [to a 1-1 draw] at the European Championships."

Romanian Champions Cluj's shock opening win came in the Italian capital, and Anelka is concerned at the additional effect their home support will have in Transylvania.

"I watched them surprisingly beat Roma, and there is a risk that they could be even more difficult to play on their own turf," Anelka added.

"But at the same time, Roma have not had the best start in Serie A, so perhaps there was a bit more to this result.

"So we don't really know what to expect, the only thing is to be wary of them and to play our own game."

Chelsea will have to face Cluj without playmaker Deco and defender Ricardo Carvalho, while Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou are also doubtful.

But a confident Anelka played down the absences.

"The injuries to Deco, Cole and Kalou are a bit of a problem but, with the squad we have, we can deal with these injured players," he continued.

"Part of what makes Chelsea a great force is that we have a really good pool of players and, even when guys get injured, we can replace them.

"This is something a lot of clubs cannot do."

CFR Cluj host Chelsea in their Group A Champions League clash tonight at 19:45 UK time. You can follow the match, and all the others, with LIVE text commentary and scoring on uk.eurosport.yahoo.com!

Reda Maher / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. ANELKA SHOULD REDUCE HIS COMMENTS ON EVERY, ESPECIALLY­ ON OTHER CLUB. HE IS NOT THE ONLY PLAYER IN BLUE. HE­ TALK TOO MUCH AND THIS IS MAKING LOW. HE NEED TO PLAY­ SOCCER AND TALKING. NOBODY CARE OF WHAT HE HAS TO SAY -­ HE IS NOT COACH, NOT EVEN CAPTAIN. I LOVE HIM BUT HE­ HAS TO STOP TALKING S^%@T. STOP, STOP STOP C.A

    From 'Tunde, on Thu 2 Oct 4:18PM

  2. shut up & play football

    From licksidemony, on Wed 1 Oct 7:20PM

  3. just do your job Anelka & concentrate on your­ Game
    Instead of worrying about what other people on the­ pitch are doing, Worry about what you are gonna­ do.
    Remember son. the Drog is back.
    Come on you Blues

    From DAVID, on Wed 1 Oct 2:43PM

  4. hope you'll score tonight.. the king!!!

    From uveys, on Wed 1 Oct 2:41PM

  5. Shut up Anelka!

    From Michael, on Wed 1 Oct 2:18PM

  6. Mr Anelka is turning into quite the sage eh?

    From R G, on Wed 1 Oct 1:53PM

  7. cluj away already beat Roma so Chelsea will be lucky­ with a point!

    From xanderbetke, on Wed 1 Oct 1:38PM

  8. chelsea for all the cups this season.

    From frankiecullen, on Wed 1 Oct 1:03PM

  9. CFR has quality players, they also have the element of­ surprise(they beat Roma,but c'mon,I don't think­ Chelsea can imagne not winning in Romania) and they­ showed they're not afraid of Champions League­ matches, in fact, they seem to raise their level when­ facing the big guns.
    I know, it seems absurd, but I­ believe in CFR.
    HAI CFR! HAI ROMANIA!

    From Andrei, on Wed 1 Oct 12:31PM

  10. CFR will shock Chelsea 1-0

    From Andrei, on Wed 1 Oct 12:26PM

  11. What's this loser doing writing blogs instead of­ working on his finishing?

    From Helmut T, on Wed 1 Oct 12:24PM

  12. U R rite but as long as you do your assignment in­ todays match, there will be no problem.
    let the Blues­ shine today in the sky of Romania.

    From Zebere, on Wed 1 Oct 12:24PM

  13. ur rite but make sure u do your assignment perfectly on­ todays match.
    let the Blues shine

    beselam

    From Zebere, on Wed 1 Oct 12:16PM
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