Chelsea on notice with Sydney FC raring to go

Sydney FC players will be so pumped by the excitement of taking on the likes of Chelsea stars Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic on Tuesday night that they won't feel any tiredness just four days after facing Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard (L) and Branislav Ivanovic

Chelsea's Eden Hazard (L) and Branislav Ivanovic during Monday evening's light training session at ANZ Stadium (Getty) Source: AFP

Coach Graham Arnold believes the Sky Blues will have no trouble backing up from their exertions against Spurs.

"There might be a little bit of fatigue in their legs," Arnold said. "But once they see the Chelsea players out there in front of 80,000-plus fans, that fatigue will go away and the adrenaline will kick in.

"Playing two such great teams as Tottenham and Chelsea is a fantastic way to finish our season."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described the expected crowd and the occasion as "huge, fantastic".
The Blues could help to establish a new record approaching 84,000 fans at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

Almost 500 extra seats have been installed to cope with the demand, bringing the new capacity over the 83,813 that attended last year's NRL grand final.

If all ticket holders turn up, it will set a new stadium record since capacity was reduced from 110,000 after the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

Tickets have long sold out for Tuesday's match, which follows Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Sydney FC last Saturday.

That match drew a gate of 71,549, meaning Sydney's two games against EPL opposition will attract some 150,000 fans in four days.

Chelsea is expected to play an attack featuring Spanish star Diego Costa, Premier League player of the year Eden Hazard and Loic Remy.

Veteran Petr Cech will take over in goal from Thibault Courtois, who has been given compassionate leave for the birth of his child.

The only other notable absentee is Cesc Fabregas, who is having surgery on a broken nose.
Skipper John Terry will lead the defence and says he is "delighted" to be part of the first Chelsea visit to Australia in four decades.

Arnold will have a full squad to pick from for the Sky Blues.


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2 min read
Published 2 June 2015 10:41am
Updated 2 June 2015 11:18am

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