Jose Mourinho these days is a man under pressure.
Following two fruitless years in Europe the Chelsea boss knows it is the Champions League that club owner Roman Abramovich craves the most.
Failure to deliver in this year’s competition could prove fatal for the ‘Special One’.
The start of this season has seen a somewhat more humble Mourinho, gone for the moment the brash arrogance that has accompanied the man ever since his arrival fresh from guiding Porto to Champions League glory.
Watching him interviewed in recent weeks I get the impression that his failure to dominate Europe despite the biggest budget in world football has brought the Portugeezer back down to earth a little.
Maybe the realisation has dawned upon him that he is not quite as good as he thinks he is and that he is only human after all.
The game itself was a cagey affair, exploding into life when Michael Essien pounced on a German defensive error and stroked the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
Werder Bremen had their moments, the nearest being Klose’s header that beat Petr Cech but cannoned back off the crossbar.
The game was made safe with twenty minutes remaining after Didier Drogba was bundled over in the penalty area.
Normal spot-kick man Frank Lampard stepped aside, instead handing the ball to German midfield maestro Michael Ballack who duly proceeded to smash the ball into the net.
The power and accuracy of the German’s finish suggested Lampard may well have handed over the spot-kick duties for good.
Lampard hit a great shot with just ten minutes remaining but was unfortunate to see his effort crash back off the inside of the post.
Despite a low par performance Chelsea will be grateful for the three points which puts them level at the top of the group with last year's champions Barcelona.
Steven Cronin writes the hottest English Premiership Football news, results and opinion at www.sargas.co.uk/english_premiership_football |
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