AVB (Andre Villas-Boas to me and you) didn’t have much luck, so tonight RDM (Roberto Di Matteo to me and you) will see if he can pull off a stunning comeback to keep Mr Abramovich happy.
Sport-locker.net preview tonight’s Champions League match between Chelsea and Napoli at Stamford Bridge…
DROGBA v CAVANI
Castrol EDGE Performance data suggests Edinson Cavani is a more clinical finisher than Didier Drogba this season, having converted 24% of his chances, compared to 15% for the Ivorian international. However, the Chelsea striker has been more efficient in the air than his Uruguayan counterpart:
Drogba v Cavani – Champions League & domestic league 2011/12
| Player |
Cavani, Edinson |
Drogba, Didier |
| Team |
Napoli |
Chelsea |
| Games Played |
32 |
21 |
| Minutes Played |
2617 |
1469 |
| Goals |
21 |
8 |
| Mins per goal |
125 |
184 |
| Goals (right-footed) |
15 |
4 |
| Goals (left-footed) |
3 |
2 |
| Goals (headed) |
2 |
2 |
| Goals (outside box) |
1 |
0 |
| Shots, total |
87 |
53 |
| Shots, on target |
43 |
20 |
| Shooting accuracy |
49.43% |
37.74% |
| Chance conversion |
24.14% |
15.09% |
| Headed shots |
21 |
7 |
| Chance conversion (headers) |
9.52% |
28.57% |
| Shots from outside box |
16 |
22 |
| Chance conversion (long range) |
6.25% |
0.00% |
| Proportion of attempts fired from long range |
18.39% |
41.51% |
Defensive actions – domestic league 2011/12
| Player |
Cavani, Edinson |
Drogba, Didier |
| Team |
Napoli |
Chelsea |
| Tackles |
19 |
11 |
| Blocks |
4 |
3 |
| Clearances |
26 |
24 |
| Interceptions |
12 |
7 |
| Mins per defensive action |
33 |
27 |
As the table above suggests, these strikers have also shown that they can help with defensive duties, having both made over 20 defensive clearances this season in the league.
The graphics below illustrate Drogba and Cavani’s touches and passes received during the first leg between Napoli and Chelsea. Drogba’s role as a target man for his Chelsea team mates is reflected in the long arrows coming from the Blues’ defensive third. On the other hand, Cavani seems to prefer passes to feet.
Touches and passes received
So it appears to be the battle of the target men – but who will get the decisive goal? What do you think the score will be tonight? Let us know via the comments section below or on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
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