KRC Genk 1-1 Chelsea - Match Report
Chelsea could only manage a 1-1 draw with KRC Genk at the Cristal Arena as they were held by their hard-battling opponents. The Blues went ahead through Ramires and would have doubled the lead were it not for David Luizs penalty miss. Jelle Vossen equalised for the hosts and that was how it ended in a surprisingly even encounter. With the breaking news that John Terrys alleged racist comments are to be investigated by the police, this was never going to be the most highly anticipated of games. It was a good time for Genk to take on the Blues with their focus very much off the pitch, but Chelsea walked all over their Belgian opponents last time the two met a couple of weeks ago. However, if there was any reason whatsoever to get excited about the tie it was this: both teams were involved in high scoring matches at the weekend. Chelsea obviously lost 5-3 to fellow Londoners Arsenal, and Genk came out on top in what I can only assume was a thrilling 5-4 encounter with Club Brugge. Neutrals could only hope they hadnt used up all their scoring ability, or at least hadnt improved their defensive capabilities. So John Terry was confined to the bench unsurprisingly. Andre Villas-Boas went with Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz in the centre of defence, and other than this the only surprise starter was Oriol Romeu, who started in the middle of a three man midfield. Only a third game in a Chelsea shirt for the former Barcelona man who weve heard so much about. Fernando Torres was also handed a start, it was a strong team for Chelsea especially considering just how comfortable they were last time out against Genk. The home sides Dutch manager Mario Been started with a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. Chelsea fans wouldnt have to be too imaginative with their chanting if their side were tested by KRC Genks captain Daniel Tozser started in defensive midfield. There werent too many recognisable names to us Brits, though Anthony Vanden Borre had a spell with Portsmouth during their Premier League days, and Thomas Buffel had three seasons at Rangers. Albert Camus used to play in goal for Algeria in between his existential scribblings, but his namesake Fabien Camus played in the hole if he was nearly as creative the Blues would be in trouble. Genk kicked off and after almost 10 minutes of play Ramires got a weak shot away the result of some rather lacklustre attempts to break down the Belgian defence. The ball plodded wearily through a sea of Genk legs before being gathered up by Laszlo Koteles in the home sides goal. The rambunctious atmosphere in the Cristal Arena seemed to be unnerving the Blues a little. That is to say they werent already 5-0 up which many assumed would be the case. You had to admire Genks committed fan base a 25,000 seater stadium and they have 23,000 season ticket holders. Chelsea did manage to take the lead 25 minutes in though. Ramires and Torres linked up, the former laying it off to the latter who dinked it over the top and the Brazilian managed to get it in from what turned out to be quite a tight angle. A first Champions League goal for Ramires, no dent in the enthusiasm from the home fans though. Fernando Torres always seems to be on the verge of returning to his former self. He pulled off a powerful piledriver from range but it whistled just wide. People continue to suggest in a patronising way were seeing the Old Torres again, but his decision making appeared poor and he wasnt looking like a £50 million player. Ramires almost had a second, he out-jumped Anele Ngcongca to nod Ashley Coles cross towards goal but it dropped just wide, probably should have done better. Raul Meireles then hit a fine shot towards goal after being laid off by Torres. It cannoned off the underside of the bar, leaving Koteles stranded. Chelsea were starting to exert their dominance after a quiet half an hour. Thomas Buffel then conceded a penalty. He quite blatantly swatted the ball to the floor with his hand after Florent Malouda had attempted to swing in a cross. Not the hardest decision Svein Oddvar Moens ever had to make - a stupid decision from the former Rangers man, goodness knows what he was doing. Anyway David Luiz of all people stepped up to take it but Koteles got across to save it! He then proceeded to celebrate as if hed won Genk the Champions League final rather than just temporarily reduced their deficit in a pretty pointless group match. Surely a missed opportunity for Torres to build up some confidence? Or if not they could at least have put Nicolas Anelka on it, a very strange choice for David Luiz to step up. The first effort anywhere near the goal from Genk came just before half time, and thats being generous. Fabian Camus fired in an effort from range but it went well wide. Daniel Tozser then came closer; his free kick from around 25 yards out was struck on his left foot and beat the wall before dipping just over the crossbar. That was the last action of the half far from convincing from Chelsea despite pre-match expectations. Genk had never really threatened but Villas-Boas men werent looking too dangerous themselves. Leverkusen and Valencia were drawing though if it stayed this way the Blues would be through. HALF TIME Anthony Vanden Borre cynically brought down Florent Malouda just outside the area and probably should have been booked. Who stepped up to take the set piece? David Luiz for some reason. Not content with wasting the best chance of the game the Brazilian wanted to blast this one over the bar too, and he did. With gusto. A nice move by the home side - Tozser ran at the Blues and played it into the feet of Kennedy Ugoala Nwanganga, who couldnt make room for a shot of his own so found Kevin de Bruyn whose effort in the end was a weak one and Cech gathered easily. The hosts then had their best chance of the match. Vanden Borres run caused Chelseas defensive line havoc. They managed to nick it away from him in the end but it fell to the feet of Nwanganga. His first touch was poor but he managed to get a shot away from close range, it was saved however by Petr Cech. Jelle Vossen levelled the score on the hour mark, probably to the delight of everyone watching who wasnt a Chelsea fan. It was deserved as well theyd been the better side since the break. Fabian Camus was set free down the left by de Bruyne, and he cut it back across the 6 yard box. Vossen then connected to tuck it under Cech a tidy finish from Genks top scorer, though Ashley Cole was on the line and could perhaps have cleared it had he reacted quicker. Chelseas only response was a snap shot from Raul Meireles, he managed to get his volley away at goal but it never really bothered Koteles. Minutes later he had a far better chance as Malouda put in the perfect ball from the left. Meireles timed his run well, but his header was weak and straight at the Hungarian keeper. Frank Lampard kicked air when he should have retaken the lead for the Blues. He intercepted a loose pass before playing in Daniel Sturridge who sprinted down the right before returning it to the veteran midfielder. Lampard opened his body up and looked as though he was going to slot it home but simply put - he didnt kick the ball. Genk got incredibly lucky on the strike of the 90th minute. Cole played a through ball to Florent Malouda who deftly flicked it over the oncoming Koteles and it looked to be bouncing into the unguarded net. Khaleem Hyland attempted to clear but blasted it straight at Ngconga instead and it bounced agonisingly wide of the post. And that was about the size of it. What a result for Genk! It was completely deserved too, a very discouraging result for Villas-Boas men. So the Blues havent qualified yet but its surely only a matter of time. Referee: Svein Oddvar Moen KRC Genk (4-1-2-1-2): Koteles, Vanden Borre, Hyland, Nadson, Ngcongca, Tozser, Buffel (Ndabashinze, 69), De Bruyne, Camus, Vossen (Barda, 87), Nwanganga (Limbombe, 82) Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cole, Ramires (Lampard, 66), Romeu (Mata, 77) Meireles, Anelka (Sturridge, 66), Torres, Malouda