Chelsea's Athens Test Without Valera

Marcelo Formicola stood over the ball, the floodlights catching the sharp intake of breath from the stands. His last three games have brought two goals, an assist and a rating of 9.5 in one of them, and Chelsea will need every ounce of that menace when they walk out in Athens next Tuesday. But the build-up has been jolted: Nacho Valera and Jairzinho are both missing, and Francisco Pardal is short of full sharpness.

AEK Athens will be without Stelios Charalabous, whose twisted ankle keeps him out, but their greater concern is the form of Aleksandros Aronis. The left winger has averaged 6.5 across his last three games, a dip that will encourage Chelsea's right side. The Greek side, three-time former champions of their own league, will look to exploit any uncertainty in a Chelsea back line that has been resolute but not always serene.

Chelsea's expected 4-3-3 will likely feature Elias Jimenez in goal, with Norberto Pico and José Calderón at full-back and César Schwindt alongside Urtzi San Martín in central defence. Pardal, at 74 per cent condition, may start but is unlikely to last the distance. Ahead of them, Júnior has been electric: a goal, two assists and four clear-cut chances created in his last four games, including a 9.0 rating. His duel with AEK's left-back could decide the night.

The last meeting between these sides, in January 2046, finished 3-0 to Chelsea, but that was a different era. Chelsea's 23-year grip on this competition ended last season when they finished runners-up, and they arrive in Athens with a point to prove. AEK, for their part, will fancy their chances against a side missing key men.

Jassem Abdulla has been a rock at the back, averaging 7.67 in his last three, and Pablo Ferrer has chipped in with goals. But the spotlight falls on Formicola, the striker whose 2.1 expected goals in three games show a player in rhythm. Chelsea need him to fire; AEK need to stop him. The atmosphere will be hostile, the stakes high, and the outcome anything but certain.