Chelsea Tie Galatasaray In Champions League

 1-1 

Playing today in Istanbul, Chelsea faced Galatasaray in a Champions League match.  In this first-leg meeting, former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was featured in the Galatasaray offense, though his old club did well to keep him quiet throughout the match.  Fernando Torres got the start at striker for Chelsea and was more effective than his counterpart.

Chelsea took an early lead when leftback Azpilicueta was allowed to run all the way into the opposite box.  Galatasaray keeper Muslera came off his line to stop Azpilicueta, but the leftback played the ball square to Torres before he could reach him.  With the keeper way out of position, Torres scored easily on an empty net (9').

Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini, formerly with Manchester City, decided the 4-4-2 was not working and made a change after only half an hour.  Izek Hajrovic was replaced by Yekta Kurtulus and Drogba was left as the lone striker.  The change was an improvement and Galatasaray stopped Chelsea from scoring any other goals.

In the second-half Galatasaray even managed to level the score on a set-piece.  Centerback Aurelien Chedjou came forward for a corner-kick delivered by Wesley Sneijder.  Chedjou was left unmarked on the play and scored an easy volley right in front of goal to equalize (64').

The match ended in a draw with Chelsea having a slight advantage going forward.  The away goal currently puts Chelsea ahead with the second leg yet to be played.  Galatasaray have to score in the replay in London if they want to have any chance to advance in Champions League.  Rather surprisingly Chelsea are the only club of the four English clubs in the Champions League to score in the first leg of their fixture.  Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United are all behind by two goals in their Champions League match-ups.