It will be a crucial game for CSKA. Having scored four points in three games, the army team ranks second in the H group, though the gap between the follow-ups is insignificant: France's PSG has four, Portugal's Porto three points.
In turn, Chelsea has won three matches of three and actually secured entry in the 1/8 finals. An equal score with, or a win over CSKA will let the Londoners two tours before the end become out-of-reach for competitors and finalize entry in the next stage of the tournament.
At the Monday press conference in the CSKA Vatutinki base, CSKA chief coach Valeri Gazzaev said that his players should not let Chelsea demonstrate its strong sides.
Gazzaev admitted that Chelsea "is a very balanced-out and smooth team". "Its defence is strong, medium line experienced and forwards acute".
According to Gazzaev, CSKA's main goal is to leave the Champions League group.
Chelsea 's chief coach Jose Morinho has called CSKA a good team with a chance of leaving the group. He said this at the pre-match press conference on the Lokomotiv stadium on Monday.
CSKA is very good team which, three tours before the end of the tour stage, has a good chance of entering the next round, he said. At the same time, the French Paris St.Germain has of late been improving. Don't discard the Portuguese Porto, which won the last Champions League, he said.
Chelsea full back William Gallas fears, in tomorrow's Champions League match, CSKA forwards Olich and Wagner. He said this at the pre-match press conference.
Gallas said that CSKA is a well-organised team with a good set of players. We'll have a hard game tomorrow, the French summed up.
