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Galatasaray
Champions League | Round-Of-16
Feb 26, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-1

Chedjou (64')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Torres (9')

How did Didier Drogba perform against Chelsea?

After featuring for Galatasaray against Chelsea on Wednesday night, Sports Mole assesses how Didier Drogba performed against his former club.

Wednesday evening marked the first time that striker Didier Drogba had come face to face with his former side Chelsea since departing the club after scoring the winning spot kick during their penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final.

The Ivorian forward failed to find the back of the net for Galatasaray against the Blues, but the 35-year-old played his part during a second-half revival for the Turkish giants.

Below, Sports Mole breaks down the performance of Drogba, who netted 157 goals during a glittering eight-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

Attacking impact

During the peak of his career, Drogba was regarded as the best target man in the world, with his aerial ability and pace behind an opponent's defence providing Chelsea with a constant outlet.

However, at 35 years of age, while Drogba still possesses the same physical strength he lacks the pace that he once had, and that ensured that he struggled to find a way behind the Blues' backline of Gary Cahill and John Terry.

Despite failing to test Petr Cech, Drogba did link up well with Galatasaray's five-man midfield while earning a couple of set pieces for his team, but this wasn't the player who terrorised defenders five years ago.

Defensive impact

Despite Galatasaray's frailties at the back being exposed during a weak first-half performance, their defence were more ruthless in the air than they were on the ground.

As expected, Drogba trotted back to defend each set piece, but Chelsea's poor delivery into the box resulted in the Ivorian rarely being needed to make a telling contribution.

However, with the tie remaining on a knife-edge ahead of the second leg, Drogba could be required to take care of Terry or Branislav Ivanovic when Chelsea attempt to seize the initiative at Stamford Bridge.

Galatasaray's Didier Drogba in action against Chelsea during the Champions League match on February 26, 2014© Getty Images

Influence on his teammates

Drogba may be coming to the end of a magnificent career, but his standing in the game remains the same, and regardless of his physical performance, he will always act as a leader for his side.

The veteran was constantly seen trying to motivate his side and the crowd after a tough start at the Turk Telekom Arena, and it's likely that Drogba provided some inspiration for his side during half time.

Drogba likes nothing more than taking it upon himself to lead from the front, and while he retains the greatest of respect for Chelsea, he will show little sentiment in the return leg as he looks to extend Galatasaray's stay in this season's competition.

Overall performance

While Drogba will be delighted that Galatasaray managed to secure a draw against his former employers, he may feel disappointed that he wasn't able to get on the scoresheet on Wednesday evening.

He delivered his usual determined performance both in defence and attack, but after an energy-sapping 80 minutes in which he was forced to lead the line on his own, it came as little surprise when Roberto Mancini attempted to freshen things up by withdrawing Drogba with 10 minutes to go.

Drogba will spend the next three weeks hoping to avoid injury to ensure that he can make an emotional return to Stamford Bridge on March 18, and if he can take to the pitch in West London, he can still have an impact on this tie.

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Written by
Darren Plant
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Galatasaray's Aurelien Chedjou celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal against Chelsea during their Champions League match on February 26, 2014
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Match Analysis: Galatasaray 1-1 Chelsea
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