Chelsea to play Maribor in Champions League without Diego Costa
Slovenian side Maribor trained at Stamford Bridge on Monday (20th
October) ahead of their Champions League Group G clash with Chelsea.
Maribor prepared for their third Champions League Group match on Monday
as they trained at Stamford Bridge, home of their opponents on Chelsea.
The Slovenians have made a bright start to this season's European campaign and have drawn in both their fixtures so far - including an impressive 1-1 tie away against German side Schalke on matchday two.
Chelsea represent a different challenge altogether however - Jose Mourinho's side have won seven of their eight league matches so far this season and are among the favourites to win the Champions League this year.
On the eve of the game, Maribor boss Ante Simundza commented that Maribor will approach the match in a positive fashion.
"Our plan is to play offensively and we always try to win but we will certainly not push too hard at the beginning of the match without thinking. We want to be on the field with our game plan and we will try to be positive, try to find some weaknesses in our opponent. We will try to get a positive result tomorrow," he said.
Defender Marko Suler added, "We hope our defence will not come under too much pressure tomorrow. We know we will have to concentrate on that and stand firm. The goal for the match is to stop their offence. We will see how it turns out tomorrow."
Chelsea will be without their first choice striker Diego Costa who is out with a hamstring injury.
Costa has 10 goals in 11 games so far this season but Simundza said his injury would have little impact on Maribor.
"Diego Costa can't play alone. So that means, who will play I don't know but, I'm sure it will be a tough player," he argued.
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| Diego Costa |
The Slovenians have made a bright start to this season's European campaign and have drawn in both their fixtures so far - including an impressive 1-1 tie away against German side Schalke on matchday two.
Chelsea represent a different challenge altogether however - Jose Mourinho's side have won seven of their eight league matches so far this season and are among the favourites to win the Champions League this year.
On the eve of the game, Maribor boss Ante Simundza commented that Maribor will approach the match in a positive fashion.
"Our plan is to play offensively and we always try to win but we will certainly not push too hard at the beginning of the match without thinking. We want to be on the field with our game plan and we will try to be positive, try to find some weaknesses in our opponent. We will try to get a positive result tomorrow," he said.
Defender Marko Suler added, "We hope our defence will not come under too much pressure tomorrow. We know we will have to concentrate on that and stand firm. The goal for the match is to stop their offence. We will see how it turns out tomorrow."
Chelsea will be without their first choice striker Diego Costa who is out with a hamstring injury.
Costa has 10 goals in 11 games so far this season but Simundza said his injury would have little impact on Maribor.
"Diego Costa can't play alone. So that means, who will play I don't know but, I'm sure it will be a tough player," he argued.
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