FCSB against Chelsea

Steaua corner - the roar goes up. Love the corner adoration.

Four minutes of stoppage time. Not sure where our ref has got that from. Please no, not four more minutes.

Free-kick for Chelsea from the left wing. Terry challenges and leaves Szukala writhing on the ground. Tatarusanu collects.

Lampard strikes one but it's poor. Wide, timid, poor.

<em>Stats: Chelsea's average passing accuracy rate Europe this season was 85.3% before this game. It's 67% tonight. (courtesy of Opta) </em>

Luiz riskily letting the ball drop over his head with Rusescu lurking. Terry bails him out.

Mikel lofts a long ball over the top. Torres offside.

Steaua keeper Tatarusanu struggling with a hip injury. He's down receiving treatment.

A dipping effort but it didn't dip enough and ended up over the crossbar.

Free-kick for Chelsea in a dangerous position - pretty central, 30 yards out. Luiz fancies it.

Marin drives in to the box and forces a near post save from Tatarusanu. Good work from the sub.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tatu on for Tanase and bringing back all sorts of memories of Russian pop duo TATU.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0307/davidluizlazerpenvsteaua20130307_275x155.jpg">David Luiz's face is lit up by a laser pen. That's the brightest they've been on the pitch all night.

Mistake from Bertrand allows Rapa the chance to fire an effort goalwards. Straight down Cech's throat though.

Cacophony of boos around the stadium indicates that Chelsea are keeping the ball. The deafening cheer indicates they've just lost it.

Chelsea just seem all out of ideas - Steaua not showing quite as much ambition as they did in the first half. 1-0 certainly not the end of the world for the Blues. But a major step up is needed next week.

<em>Chelsea's Josh McEachran (@JMcEachran20) trying to cool fans' anger on Twitter:</em> A few of you lot on here need to chill out with the hashtags!!

Mata takes a free-kick on the right wing. Straight into Tatarusanu's hands. Even the Spanish maestro hasn't been able to lift them since his introduction.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Marin on for Hazard. Very frustrating night for Chelsea's No. 17.

Decent effort from Hazard, really difficult angle but he produced an excellent volley. The angle was against him though - on the left side of the box - and it was just over.

Mata tries to conjure a through ball but it's overhit.

Hazard puts Torres through but in a good position on the right he spoons a cross over the bar, much to the despair of Hazard & co waiting in the middle.

Torres crowded out by two players. One would have been enough.

Chipciu with a good touch to elude Luiz but the Brazilian does well to track back and tackle.

<em>Stats: Chelsea have scored 44 goals in their last 22 matches in Europe. </em>

There certainly seems to be a lack of focus. From Munich 2012 to this. Fall from grace doesn't do it justice.

<em>@metcalfer on Twitter:</em> Chelsea looking ahead to Sunday Match vs. Man U?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Mikel went through Prepelita. Clumsy challenge.

Tonight I've understood why Benayoun only previously started one game for Chelsea this season. Useless.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Mata on for Benayoun.

Why didn't he shoot? He tried to knock it back but there were no team-mates anywhere in sight.

Lampard with a beautiful through-ball to Torres...

If you're wishing I was describing more of the action, I'm afraid there hasn't really been anything of note to describe. Imagine a group of players passing it around and occasionally finding a team-mate. That's what we're dealing with here.

And as if by magic, Mata is being readied. Rafa must be reading. Hi Rafa.

Tanase tries to curl one goalwards - it's well over the bar and he could have really afforded to take another touch.

Can't be long before Mata comes on surely...

And if you don't know who Hagi is, <a href="http://espnfc.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=789051&cc=5739&ver=global" target="_blank">this article sums it up pretty well.</a>

Gheorghe Hagi in the crowd tonight. Let's just take a moment to remember his utter brilliance. What a player.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0307/raulrusescuscorespenvcfc220130307_275x155.jpg"><br>Raul Rusescu fires Steaua Bucharest in front from the spot against Chelsea

Worry for Steaua here with Popa on the floor, looked like he landed awkwardly on his ankle when jumping for the ball with Bertrand.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Prepelita on for Pintilii

Some nervy moments for Chelsea as Chipciu gets into space but can't find a team-mate. Then Cech narrowly avoids handballing outside the box.

Tenase strikes on the volley and it's narrowly wide, though Cech had it covered.

Hazard stumbles at just the wrong time after tiptoeing his way into a bit of space on the edge of the box.

Long diagonal from Latovlevici cut out by Bertrand

The volume in the Arena Na&#539;ional&#259; still cranked right up. Every tackle and forward pass still being cheered vociferously.

Hazard floats it in towards Torres but Tatarusanu comes out to claim.

Lampard finds Hazard but Steaua double up on him again and he is once again dispossessed.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Mihai Pintilii booked for a strong boot into Terry's midsection. Ouch.

Torres peels away for the long throw but Szukala the man to cut it out again.

Good interchange down the left between Bertrand and Hazard opens some space. Solid challenge from Szukala to dispossess the Belgian.

Would love to have been a fly on the wall at half-time. Was probably a rousing team talk... from Jonh Terry.

ESPN commentator Craig Burley lamenting the first-half performance of Chelsea and rightly so.

And we're off for the second half...

<em>BBC reporter @patrickendrick on Twitter:</em> If Chelsea lose tonight, what's the betting they'll be looking for another boss come tomorrow night... 'Interim' or otherwise #CFC

A classic it certainly isn't. To be fair after the Steaua goal there were shots on target for Chelsea from Benayoun and Torres. Signs of improvement perhaps.

<em>@YanRoos on Twitter:</em> I'm still not sure if the broadcast is showing the match. There were 22 immobile figures on field.

Steaua lost their last-32 first leg 2-0 to Ajax, but fought back in the second leg, winning 2-0 before advancing after a penalty shootout victory.

<em>Telegraph sports writer Paul Kelso &#8207;(@pkelso) on Twitter:</em> Barely 200 Chelsea fans here. May well be more in Amsterdam having not cancelled bookings made on assumption Ajax were next...

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the game, so please do proffer your opinion on Twitter towards <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">@marklomasESPN</a>.

<strong>HT STEAUA BUCURESTI 1-0 CHELSEA. </strong> Little excitement from a drab first half, the most impressive thing being the home fans' willingness to cheer VERY loudly when they are even remotely close to the Chelsea box. The Blues perhaps slightly hard done by with the penalty, but Bertrand did have his arms up. Rusescu slotted home, that's all there has really been to speak of. Must do better please.

There goes the half-time whistle..

Steaua doing a great job of keeping the ball at present, Chelsea chasing shadows.

<em>Stats: Raul Rusescu's goal was the first shot on target of the game. 34 minutes in. Yawn.</em>

Hazard cutting a very frustrated figure out there at the moment.

Torres must have heard my belittling tone because he's just produced an excellent strike on the volley. Tatarusanu pushes it away for a corner.

Bertrand dribbles his way through, trying to make amends for conceding the penalty. He plays it in to Eden Hazard, who comes over all Torres and takes a heavy touch to take the ball out of play.

Hugely ambitious effort from Tanase. Far wide.

A decent effort from Benayoun, draws a smart save from Tatarusanu - the first he's made tonight.

For updates from tonight's other Europa League games, <a href="http://espnfc.com/live/_/id/1365996/matchday-live---march-7?cc=5739&asdssssasds ?" target="_blank">join Tom Sweetman</a>. Don't abandon me just yet though!

It was a bit of a soft penalty. Bertrand had his arm on Rusescu's shoulder and he went down like a sack of spuds. If it was a pen, it could well have been a red card as well so I guess that's a small, small positive for Chelsea to take away.

<strong>Steaua Bucuresti 1-0 Chelsea:</strong> Petr Cech almost got his hand to it but it was beyond him and inside his right-hand post. Strong pen.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Steaua lead through Rusescu's spot-kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Bertrand booked for pulling down Rusescu.

Penalty for Steaua - not so sure about this one.

Lampard's corner brings no joy for the Blues though.

Torres' persistence results in a Chelsea corner - another positive run from the Spaniard.

That little piece of action really roused the Steaua fans, which says it all about the match so far.

Dangerous run and right-wing cross from Rapa, but Ivanovic climbs up to head the ball to safety.

Thanks to the good people at @101greatgoals, here's the<a href="http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/fail-fernando-torres-dribbling-v-steaua-bucharest/#.UTjbo3En0Nk.twitter" target="_blank"> video of Fernando Torres' comical dribble from earlier. </a>

Bit of a stinker in all truth so far.

<em>Stats: Across both the Champions League and Europa League this season, Chelsea are joint-top scorers (18 with Bayern and Real Madrid).(courtesy of Opta) </em>

There's a big Juan Mata-shaped hole in this Chelsea XI.

Another free-kick, this time Popa brings down Bertrand. But Chelsea waste the chance to put some pressure on.

The corner comes in but Ivanovic's header doesn't trouble Steaua keeper Tatarusanu.

Terry challenges but Szukala does superbly to get in ahead of him and divert the ball out for a corner.

A dangerous right-wing position. Lampard - with laser pen aimed at him - steps up.

Torres does well to win a free-kick, drawing the foul from Latovlevici.

Laser pens proving popular in the stadium tonight - Luiz has been targeted a few times.

Headed clear amid a host of boos from the home faithful and Hazard is then crowded out by two players, much to his consternation.

Quite central but a little too far for a shot. Lampard will deliver.

Torres combines with Oscar and the Brazilian does really well in the physical due with Latovlevici. He keeps the ball and Chelsea subsequently win a free-kick after David Luiz is fouled.

Rapa tries to bring Steaua forward - he's one of nine full internationals in this startign XI.

Torres seeing a little more of the ball, though he hasn't yet proved that that it is a particularly positive development.

Tanase with a tenacious run against Ivanovic, but the Serbian does well to emerge with the ball.

Textbook Fernando Torres there - does superbly well to keep the ball in play on the right flank, he cuts inside the box and then trips over his own feet. Goal-kick Steaua.

<em>While Steaua's home form has been impressive, Chelsea's away form has been pretty uninspiring - four wins in their last 12 away trips in Europe. </em>

Chelsea break straight to the other end, Eden Hazard accelerates down the left wing before losing the ball.

Corner for Steaua, Ivanovic dispossessing Chipciu

Chelsea just feeling there way into the match, it's slow going in an intimidating atmosphere.

Latovlevici looks to find Rusescu but Chelsea standing firm at the back.

The Blues have offered very little so far, Steaua keeping the ball much better than the visitors.

<em>Stats: Steaua have only five of their last 20 European home games. Certainly no pushovers.</em>

Pintilii smashes one high over the bar after it dropped to him at the front post. Bertrand struggling with a bit of a knock there.

Poor pass from Ivanovic gave Poparadu a chance to advance and it's another corner for Steaua.

Chipciu fins himself running forward into space, but his shot is dragged well wide of goal from about 25 yards out. Optimistic effort.

The Steaua owner announced his manager's team on Romanian TV last night - so much for matchday secrecy!

Oscar tries to get Chelsea going but his positive run cmes to an abrupt end.

A cracking atmosphere in the Arena National - I was lucky enough to be there for last season's Europa League final, it's an awesome stadium.

The Blues clear their lines, a positive start from the home side there though.

An early corner for Steaua after David Luiz clears it out.

And off we go...

Right, we're just about ready for kick-off.

And this is what Benitez said about John Terry's lack of recent game time: "A lot of players don't play all the matches. It is normal at this level."

ESPN caught up with Rafa before the game, his responses weren't the most exciting I'm afraid but this is what he said about team selection: "I was just thinking about a good team for this game, obviously my priority is to win this game."

As always, I want to hear your views - give me a shout on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">@marklomasESPN</a>.

There's been plenty of trash talking from the Steaua end, like owner Gigi Becali <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1365699/steaua-owner-becali:-chelsea-are-too-slow-to-win?cc=5739" target="_blank">claiming that Chelsea are too slow. </a> Zing.

Chelsea made hard work of their last Europa League outing against Sparta Prague, while Steaua were superb as they dumped Ajax out of the competition in the last round.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0307/rafabbenitezandyossibenayounchelsea20130209_275x155.jpg"><br> Rafa Bentez needs all the friends he can get at the moment and he's handed his former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun a start in Romania.

With the Premier League title out of reach, Chelsea still have the FA Cup and Europa League to play for, although Rafa Benitez recently <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1353516/chelsea%27s-benitez-to-sacrifice-cups-for-premier-league-top-four?cc=5739" target="_blank">claimed the cups weren't the priority for the Blues.</a>

Join Mark Lomas from 1800 GMT for live text commentary of Steaua Bucharest v Chelsea in the Europa League last-16.

Chelsea just seem all out of ideas - Steaua not showing quite as much ambition as they did in the first half. 1-0 certainly not the end of the world for the Blues. But a major step up is needed next week.

<em>Chelsea's Josh McEachran (@JMcEachran20) trying to cool fans' anger on Twitter:</em> A few of you lot on here need to chill out with the hashtags!!

Mata takes a free-kick on the right wing. Straight into Tatarusanu's hands. Even the Spanish maestro hasn't been able to lift them since his introduction.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Marin on for Hazard. Very frustrating night for Chelsea's No. 17.

Decent effort from Hazard, really difficult angle but he produced an excellent volley. The angle was against him though - on the left side of the box - and it was just over.

Mata tries to conjure a through ball but it's overhit.

Hazard puts Torres through but in a good position on the right he spoons a cross over the bar, much to the despair of Hazard & co waiting in the middle.

Torres crowded out by two players. One would have been enough.

Chipciu with a good touch to elude Luiz but the Brazilian does well to track back and tackle.

<em>Stats: Chelsea have scored 44 goals in their last 22 matches in Europe. </em>

There certainly seems to be a lack of focus. From Munich 2012 to this. Fall from grace doesn't do it justice.

<em>@metcalfer on Twitter:</em> Chelsea looking ahead to Sunday Match vs. Man U?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Mikel went through Prepelita. Clumsy challenge.

Tonight I've understood why Benayoun only previously started one game for Chelsea this season. Useless.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Mata on for Benayoun.

Why didn't he shoot? He tried to knock it back but there were no team-mates anywhere in sight.

Lampard with a beautiful through-ball to Torres...

If you're wishing I was describing more of the action, I'm afraid there hasn't really been anything of note to describe. Imagine a group of players passing it around and occasionally finding a team-mate. That's what we're dealing with here.

And as if by magic, Mata is being readied. Rafa must be reading. Hi Rafa.

Tanase tries to curl one goalwards - it's well over the bar and he could have really afforded to take another touch.

Can't be long before Mata comes on surely...

And if you don't know who Hagi is, <a href="http://espnfc.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=789051&cc=5739&ver=global" target="_blank">this article sums it up pretty well.</a>

Gheorghe Hagi in the crowd tonight. Let's just take a moment to remember his utter brilliance. What a player.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0307/raulrusescuscorespenvcfc220130307_275x155.jpg"><br>Raul Rusescu fires Steaua Bucharest in front from the spot against Chelsea

Worry for Steaua here with Popa on the floor, looked like he landed awkwardly on his ankle when jumping for the ball with Bertrand.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Prepelita on for Pintilii

Some nervy moments for Chelsea as Chipciu gets into space but can't find a team-mate. Then Cech narrowly avoids handballing outside the box.

Tenase strikes on the volley and it's narrowly wide, though Cech had it covered.

Hazard stumbles at just the wrong time after tiptoeing his way into a bit of space on the edge of the box.

Long diagonal from Latovlevici cut out by Bertrand

The volume in the Arena Na&#539;ional&#259; still cranked right up. Every tackle and forward pass still being cheered vociferously.

Hazard floats it in towards Torres but Tatarusanu comes out to claim.

Lampard finds Hazard but Steaua double up on him again and he is once again dispossessed.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Mihai Pintilii booked for a strong boot into Terry's midsection. Ouch.

Torres peels away for the long throw but Szukala the man to cut it out again.

Good interchange down the left between Bertrand and Hazard opens some space. Solid challenge from Szukala to dispossess the Belgian.

Would love to have been a fly on the wall at half-time. Was probably a rousing team talk... from Jonh Terry.

ESPN commentator Craig Burley lamenting the first-half performance of Chelsea and rightly so.

And we're off for the second half...

<em>BBC reporter @patrickendrick on Twitter:</em> If Chelsea lose tonight, what's the betting they'll be looking for another boss come tomorrow night... 'Interim' or otherwise #CFC

A classic it certainly isn't. To be fair after the Steaua goal there were shots on target for Chelsea from Benayoun and Torres. Signs of improvement perhaps.

<em>@YanRoos on Twitter:</em> I'm still not sure if the broadcast is showing the match. There were 22 immobile figures on field.

Steaua lost their last-32 first leg 2-0 to Ajax, but fought back in the second leg, winning 2-0 before advancing after a penalty shootout victory.

<em>Telegraph sports writer Paul Kelso &#8207;(@pkelso) on Twitter:</em> Barely 200 Chelsea fans here. May well be more in Amsterdam having not cancelled bookings made on assumption Ajax were next...

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the game, so please do proffer your opinion on Twitter towards <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">@marklomasESPN</a>.

<strong>HT STEAUA BUCURESTI 1-0 CHELSEA. </strong> Little excitement from a drab first half, the most impressive thing being the home fans' willingness to cheer VERY loudly when they are even remotely close to the Chelsea box. The Blues perhaps slightly hard done by with the penalty, but Bertrand did have his arms up. Rusescu slotted home, that's all there has really been to speak of. Must do better please.

There goes the half-time whistle..

Steaua doing a great job of keeping the ball at present, Chelsea chasing shadows.

<em>Stats: Raul Rusescu's goal was the first shot on target of the game. 34 minutes in. Yawn.</em>

Hazard cutting a very frustrated figure out there at the moment.

Torres must have heard my belittling tone because he's just produced an excellent strike on the volley. Tatarusanu pushes it away for a corner.

Bertrand dribbles his way through, trying to make amends for conceding the penalty. He plays it in to Eden Hazard, who comes over all Torres and takes a heavy touch to take the ball out of play.

Hugely ambitious effort from Tanase. Far wide.

A decent effort from Benayoun, draws a smart save from Tatarusanu - the first he's made tonight.

For updates from tonight's other Europa League games, <a href="http://espnfc.com/live/_/id/1365996/matchday-live---march-7?cc=5739&asdssssasds ?" target="_blank">join Tom Sweetman</a>. Don't abandon me just yet though!

It was a bit of a soft penalty. Bertrand had his arm on Rusescu's shoulder and he went down like a sack of spuds. If it was a pen, it could well have been a red card as well so I guess that's a small, small positive for Chelsea to take away.

<strong>Steaua Bucuresti 1-0 Chelsea:</strong> Petr Cech almost got his hand to it but it was beyond him and inside his right-hand post. Strong pen.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Steaua lead through Rusescu's spot-kick.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Bertrand booked for pulling down Rusescu.

Penalty for Steaua - not so sure about this one.

Lampard's corner brings no joy for the Blues though.

Torres' persistence results in a Chelsea corner - another positive run from the Spaniard.

That little piece of action really roused the Steaua fans, which says it all about the match so far.

Dangerous run and right-wing cross from Rapa, but Ivanovic climbs up to head the ball to safety.

Thanks to the good people at @101greatgoals, here's the<a href="http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/fail-fernando-torres-dribbling-v-steaua-bucharest/#.UTjbo3En0Nk.twitter" target="_blank"> video of Fernando Torres' comical dribble from earlier. </a>

Bit of a stinker in all truth so far.

<em>Stats: Across both the Champions League and Europa League this season, Chelsea are joint-top scorers (18 with Bayern and Real Madrid).(courtesy of Opta) </em>

There's a big Juan Mata-shaped hole in this Chelsea XI.

Another free-kick, this time Popa brings down Bertrand. But Chelsea waste the chance to put some pressure on.

The corner comes in but Ivanovic's header doesn't trouble Steaua keeper Tatarusanu.

Terry challenges but Szukala does superbly to get in ahead of him and divert the ball out for a corner.

A dangerous right-wing position. Lampard - with laser pen aimed at him - steps up.

Torres does well to win a free-kick, drawing the foul from Latovlevici.

Laser pens proving popular in the stadium tonight - Luiz has been targeted a few times.

Headed clear amid a host of boos from the home faithful and Hazard is then crowded out by two players, much to his consternation.

Quite central but a little too far for a shot. Lampard will deliver.

Torres combines with Oscar and the Brazilian does really well in the physical due with Latovlevici. He keeps the ball and Chelsea subsequently win a free-kick after David Luiz is fouled.

Rapa tries to bring Steaua forward - he's one of nine full internationals in this startign XI.

Torres seeing a little more of the ball, though he hasn't yet proved that that it is a particularly positive development.

Tanase with a tenacious run against Ivanovic, but the Serbian does well to emerge with the ball.

Textbook Fernando Torres there - does superbly well to keep the ball in play on the right flank, he cuts inside the box and then trips over his own feet. Goal-kick Steaua.

<em>While Steaua's home form has been impressive, Chelsea's away form has been pretty uninspiring - four wins in their last 12 away trips in Europe. </em>

Chelsea break straight to the other end, Eden Hazard accelerates down the left wing before losing the ball.

Corner for Steaua, Ivanovic dispossessing Chipciu

Chelsea just feeling there way into the match, it's slow going in an intimidating atmosphere.

Latovlevici looks to find Rusescu but Chelsea standing firm at the back.

The Blues have offered very little so far, Steaua keeping the ball much better than the visitors.

<em>Stats: Steaua have only five of their last 20 European home games. Certainly no pushovers.</em>

Pintilii smashes one high over the bar after it dropped to him at the front post. Bertrand struggling with a bit of a knock there.

Poor pass from Ivanovic gave Poparadu a chance to advance and it's another corner for Steaua.

Chipciu fins himself running forward into space, but his shot is dragged well wide of goal from about 25 yards out. Optimistic effort.

The Steaua owner announced his manager's team on Romanian TV last night - so much for matchday secrecy!

Oscar tries to get Chelsea going but his positive run cmes to an abrupt end.

A cracking atmosphere in the Arena National - I was lucky enough to be there for last season's Europa League final, it's an awesome stadium.

The Blues clear their lines, a positive start from the home side there though.

An early corner for Steaua after David Luiz clears it out.

And off we go...

Right, we're just about ready for kick-off.

And this is what Benitez said about John Terry's lack of recent game time: "A lot of players don't play all the matches. It is normal at this level."

ESPN caught up with Rafa before the game, his responses weren't the most exciting I'm afraid but this is what he said about team selection: "I was just thinking about a good team for this game, obviously my priority is to win this game."

As always, I want to hear your views - give me a shout on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/marklomasESPN" target="_blank">@marklomasESPN</a>.

There's been plenty of trash talking from the Steaua end, like owner Gigi Becali <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1365699/steaua-owner-becali:-chelsea-are-too-slow-to-win?cc=5739" target="_blank">claiming that Chelsea are too slow. </a> Zing.

Chelsea made hard work of their last Europa League outing against Sparta Prague, while Steaua were superb as they dumped Ajax out of the competition in the last round.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0307/rafabbenitezandyossibenayounchelsea20130209_275x155.jpg"><br> Rafa Bentez needs all the friends he can get at the moment and he's handed his former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun a start in Romania.

With the Premier League title out of reach, Chelsea still have the FA Cup and Europa League to play for, although Rafa Benitez recently <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1353516/chelsea%27s-benitez-to-sacrifice-cups-for-premier-league-top-four?cc=5739" target="_blank">claimed the cups weren't the priority for the Blues.</a>

Join Mark Lomas from 1800 GMT for live text commentary of Steaua Bucharest v Chelsea in the Europa League last-16.