Steaua, historic encounter with Chelsea tonight

 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

European champions Chelsea FC visit Bucharest for Thursday’s last-16 first leg, looking to forge on towards a clean sweep of major UEFA trophies, but for all of the Blues’ firepower, the 27-year-old Tatarusanu is staying remarkably calm.Ciprian Tatarusanu’s penalty shoot-out heroics helped FC Steaua Bucuresti eliminate UEFA Europa League final hosts AFC Ajax in the round of 32, but a tougher test now awaits the tall Romania goalkeeper.“Sure, it will be much harder than a game against a top Romanian side – we are talking about ‘Europe’s queen’ – and I have no doubt I will have much more work to do than against a ‘normal’ European team,” he said. “As we proved in the two games against Ajax, we can be a match for anyone, no matter who they are.”Expectation in Bucharest is high, with Steaua having reached the last 16 of a European competition for the first time since 2005/06, when they made it to the UEFA Cup semi-finals – losing out to a last-ditch, second leg goal at Middlesbrough FC. Chelsea and Steaua have never faced each other before in a competitive match.Chelsea’s trip to Bucharest comes just prior to their FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford, meaning Rafa Benitez may be inclined to rest key players, goal.com comments.Rafael Benitez was appointed interim boss after the Blues became the first Champions League holders to exit the competition at the group stage earlier this season.Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has reiterated the club’s focus remains on securing Champions League football next term before a permanent managerial appointment is made. “Achieving one of the Champions League qualification slots is very important to this football club,” Gourlay said on the club’s official website. “Our whole philosophy is based on success on the football field and we have been doing everything in our power to ensure one of these slots. We want to be pitting ourselves against the top clubs in Europe next season. We said from day one that Rafa was coming in as interim manager to the end of the season”.