Petr Cech’s glorious Chelsea career between the posts is remembered for his wonderful parrying blocks, stupendous last-minute saves and strong leadership at the back.
His endearing presence in the back was instrumental in Chelsea winning all there is to win in Europe between 2004 & 2015.
Now, as the Technical and Performance Advisor of the club, he spoke to Chelsea TV on what he thinks of the quarter-final match-up against Porto.
He said:
“When you reach the quarter-final of the Champions League, you know you will face a difficult opponent. They’re an opponent we need to respect.
They have history in the Champions League and European Cup. It’s a team we will be prepared for and ready to play against.”
Between 2004 and 2009, as Chelsea’s goalkeeper, he faced Porto on six different occasions in the Champions League – twice in the group stages and once in the Round of 16 – winning all but two matches.
“We have played Porto a few times in the Champions League. All the games were always tight and very difficult. We expect the same.
They were with Manchester City in the group stages, and they managed to go and beat Juventus, so we have to respect that, but we have our confidence and we know the strength of our team. Hopefully we can go through.”
Chelsea have faced Porto 8 times before, winning five of the encounters and losing just twice. The last time the Blues encountered Porto, it was in the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League Group stages, when Jose Mourinho was still the manager.
Porto will enter the tie with renewed hopes of going all the way through after getting the better of Juventus. Chelsea’s emphatic 3-0 aggregate thumping of Atletico Madrid has instilled great confidence in Tuchel’s side, who will look to go all the way through to the finals.
The Blues will face the winner of Real Madrid vs Liverpool in the semi-finals, provided they overcome Porto first.