Roberto di Matteo says Chelsea cannot afford a repeat of the away-day slip-ups that almost derailed last season's Champions League campaign when they tackle debutants FC Nordsjaelland on Tuesday.

The London club may have finished the season as European champions for the first time, but in the group phase they amassed just two points from their matches at Valencia, Genk and Bayer Leverkusen.

Danish champions Nordsjaelland will be playing their first ever home game in the competition – albeit in Copenhagen, rather than at their usual home in Farum – and with Chelsea having drawn 2-2 against Juventus in their opening match, Di Matteo expects nothing less than victory.

"Tomorrow is probably the most important game in this group stage for us," said the Italian in Monday's pre-game press conference.

"We drew our first game at home so it's important we gain points away from home. For us, it's a crucial game tomorrow. I want the team to be focused."

Despite reports that Di Matteo could opt to rest striker Fernando Torres, who has started every game so far this season, the Chelsea coach said there would not be too many alterations to the team that won 2-1 at Arsenal at the weekend.

"It'll be a strong team," he said.

"There might be a couple of changes, because we played a very intense game on Saturday. A win would certainly help, and that's what we're aiming for."

The contrast between Chelsea's star-laden squad and that of Tuesday's opponents Nordsjaelland could not be more stark.

The Danish minnows were only formed in 1991 following a merger of two clubs from the eastern town of Farum, and not a single member of their playing staff had previously sampled Champions League football prior to this season.

They have nonetheless acquired a reputation for playing expansive, possession-based football under highly rated coach Kasper Hjulmand, and impressed despite losing 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk in their Group E opener.

"Nordsjaelland have shown how good they are. They went to Shakhtar and had the majority of possession against a good team.

"They weren't afraid to play their football and it'll be difficult for us. On paper, we probably are the favourites, but we have to show this on the pitch."

bid4rich: When the sky is blue, expect heavy downpour showers of G.O.A.L. Chelsea all the way jor

afam4eva:
In this case i expect an evaporation

afam4eva: Chelsea go hear am today. Chei, the blues go turn to the red because dem go cry blood after the match

afam4eva:
In this case i expect an evaporation

Andre Uweh: My possible Chelsea line up.
Cech
Azkupuleta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole
Obi, Ramires, Lampard.
Moses, Torres, Hazard.

Adanyebe: the last tym I checked Chelsea was a Gin and I think Nordsjaelland are ready to take a sip

1025:

let them ask arsenal wey sip last week how far or they should make consultations with the likes of barca, buyern, napoli and benfica how it was last season sipping the chelsea gin.

rozayx5:

and we should also ask Athletico Madrid how the sip was some weeks ago, heard some chekshit fans wanted to commit suiccide

ATHLETICO MADRID 4 - CHELSEA - 1
b4 the match chekshit fans had already won the match on mouth
Juventus don show una say una big mouth no deh win match
make una carry the BRT formation come this time una go hearam for UCL

mikeywise:
is this our best line up? we are fielding our strongest team today, we aint taking chances o.

rozayx5:

yup your best line up and your last hopes as a team
Chekshit fans have been mourning Drogba since he left, cause torres is lame

the only player left in that team is Oscar and Moses, the rest over 117
Terry is old, Lampard old, next they are all gone Abramovich beta sell chekshit while it still has value
or 2nd option is get fresh blood , those guys are old

afam4eva: Chelsea go hear am today. Chei, the blues go turn to the red because dem go cry blood after the match

Adanyebe: the last tym I checked Chelsea was a Gin and I think Nordsjaelland are ready to take a sip

Chekshit fans have been mourning Drogba since he left, cause torres is lame

Andre Uweh:
Azkupuleta.

afam4eva:

lol If matches were won by mere proclamation then it means by now chelsea would have won more UEFA titles than Real Madrid and Barca.