Villas-Boas: Desperate for a turnaround

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Napoli v Chelsea

Chelsea will have their work cut out for them when they travel to Napoli for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash.

The Serie A outfit have not lost a European tie at Stadio San Paolo since December 1994. However, they only returned to European competition in 2008 after a 13-year absence.

Nonetheless, Partenopei are a formidable force in front of their home fans, as they proved when they beat Premier League leaders Manchester City 2-1 earlier in the group stages.

On the team news front, coach Walter Mazzari has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from, with their star trio Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi expected to start.

Meanwhile, the Blues will be eager to put the disappointment of the weekend’s FA Cup fifth round behind them with a positive response in Naples.

Andre Villas-Boas’ side were held to a 1-1 draw by Championship outfit Birmingham City, which further increased the pressure on the tactician, who has also seen the west London club slip out of the top four in the Premier League.

In team news, the Blues could start January signing Gary Cahill, should John Terry fail to reach full fitness in time, while Ramires and Michael Essien are available to boost the midfield.

Frank Lampard has recovered from a calf injury and will travel with the side, but Ashley Cole remains sidelined.

Chelsea have only won once in seven visits to Italy - a 4-0 victory over Lazio in the 2003/04 campaign.