Freedom from expectations can be a dangerous thing, and while Slovakian champions MSK Zilina won't be anyone's tips to progress from what is otherwise a relatively strong group, that doesn't mean they don't have the ability to derail one or more of their rivals' campaigns over the course of their six-game lap of honour.
Yes, expectations will be low, but that doesn't mean former Czech international Pavel Hapal won't be telling his side they are good enough to get results. After all, they have some form in Europe — beating Aston Villa in the Europa League just under two years ago — and eight top-two finishes (five titles) in the last nine years ably demonstrates they are no strangers to success. They also beat the more vaunted Sparta Prague to get to the group stages, so cannot be underestimated.
The team itself is led by Robert Jez, an all-action midfielder who leads by example. The rest of the team is a mix of Slovak and Czech players, with Gambia forward Ceesay leading the line. While unlikely to start, Slovakian international Tomas Oravec is a frequent scorer of goals off the substitutes' bench.
Manager Hapal has said it will take a combination of "bravery and cheekiness" to come away with anything from their first game against Chelsea, an acknowledgment that his side face an uphill challenge. But with the game taking place at the Stadium Pod Dubnom — capacity just over 11,000 — the atmosphere will be somewhat unique and the world-renowned stars that visit will all have to be on the guard if they don't want to be caught out.
Patience
From one extreme to the other on Matchday 1 — while Zilina may have minimal expectations of even dropping down into the Europa League come December, Chelsea will be fervently hoping they are hoisting the trophy at Wembley come May.
Indeed, among the big boys perhaps only Real Madrid share the Blues' urgency and determination to win Europe's top club prize. It has been owner Roman Abramovich's target ever since his arrival in 2003, but has so far remained frustratingly elusive. And with many of the club's stars at the peak or even beyond it, a certain 'now or never' feel is beginning to surface around the current squad.
John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba et al were but a penalty kick away from winning the trophy in 2008, but with all three of them 30 or over their chances at redemption are growing ever slimmer. But with their apparent dominance over the rest of the Premier League already on display so far this season, it seems everything is clicking into place for a concerted title run.
Last season Carlo Ancelotti fell foul of Jose Mourinho's Inter in the last 16, an earlier than expected exit that the Italian still harbours certain regrets over. But he has an immediate shot at redemption this season and, with no Africa Cup of Nations and (hopefully) fewer injuries to contend with, will be confident of progressing further in the competition even if they are once again drawn with one of Europe's elite sooner than preferrable.
With Spartak Moscow and Olympique Marseille the other two teams in the group, Chelsea face three unenviable away trips but should still be confident of topping the group. An opening win in Slovakia would be a welcome first step on that path.
MSK Zilina
Hapal has few injury concerns, but will likely make some changes after landing a 2-1 win against Tatran Presov at the weekend. On that occasion he played a 4-4-2, but Oravec is likely to make way for another midfielder — possibly Saturday substitute Vittor — as Zilina put on understandable emphasis on defence.The two sides actually met in the competition in 2002, where Chelsea progressed 5-0 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. An improvement on that eight years on would be welcomed by the home support, but even they might be harder to please than usual — having seen tickets for this home game marked up by over 1000 per cent in a somewhat cynical move as one of Europe's A-listers comes into town.
Possible starting XI: Krnac; Angelovic, Placek, Pecalka, Mraz; Poliacek, Jez, Vittor, Vladavic, Bello; Ceesay.
Chelsea
The Blues have certain issues across the pitch, with Frank Lampard still injured for the game, Didier Drogba suspended and Ashley Cole set to be rested. But John Terry should be available after coming through the game against West Ham at the weekend.Elsewhere, Ancelotti's squad has more than enough depth to cover the absentees, and even allow him to indulge in a little light rotation. Yury Zhirkov will replace Ashley Cole at left-back, while Ramires might be given his European bow with the Blues as he continues to adjust to the team. If the Brazilian's development is taken a bit slower, then fellow summer signing Yossi Benayoun will likely start.
Further forward, Drogba's absence simply paves the way for Florent Malouda to return to the first XI after the weekend rest, with Anelka playing up front and either Daniel Sturridge or Salomon Kalou from the right. If Ancelotti is feeling particularly confident, Gael Kakuta may even get a runout — perhaps from the start or, more probably, as second-half substitutes.
Possible starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Zhirkov; Benayoun, Mikel, Essien; Sturridge Malouda, Anelka.
Prediction
So many unknown variables will define this game's eventual scoreline, but one thing that should be almost taken as a certainty is that Chelsea will win. If the Stadium Pod Dubnom is packed, despite the inflated ticket prices, then the atmosphere could cause some difficulties to the visitors, but Zilina lack the requisite skill and experience at this level to keep Chelsea at bay for 90 minutes.
For there part, the Blues have developed a recent habit of building up near-rugby scores against opposing teams, and could be in line to give the Slovakians a similar pasting. But with changes to the personnel and a certain sense of the unknown to contend with, a comfortable but not excessive win will still please Ancelotti more than enough.
For there part, the Blues have developed a recent habit of building up near-rugby scores against opposing teams, and could be in line to give the Slovakians a similar pasting. But with changes to the personnel and a certain sense of the unknown to contend with, a comfortable but not excessive win will still please Ancelotti more than enough.
MSK Zilina 0-3 Chelsea 
