Youth League semi-final: Chelsea v Anderlecht
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Article summary
Anderlecht, defeated at this stage by Shakhtar Donetsk 12 months ago, stand between holders Chelsea and a place in the third UEFA Youth League final.
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- Chelsea and Anderlecht are in the final four for the second time in as many seasons
- Holders Chelsea beat Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk in Nyon 12 months ago
- Anderlecht progressed through the Domestic Champions path
- Twelve of Chelsea's victorious 2014/15 squad have featured for the Blues this term
- Tammy Abraham and Jorn Vancamp averaging a goal a game in this season's competition
Story so far: Chelsea
Adi Viveash's youngsters breezed through the group stage unbeaten, assuring themselves of a top-two finish with two matches to spare. The knockout rounds have proved a lot tougher, with Chelsea requiring penalties to squeeze past Valencia and then edging out Ajax in the last eight thanks to Kyle Scott's goal. Five of Viveash's squad – Bradley Collins, Temitayo Aina, Jake Clarke-Salter, Jay DaSilva and Charlie Colkett – started the 2015 final.
Misses final if booked: Trevoh Chalobah, Kasey Palmer, Fikayo Tomori
Key player: Tammy Abraham
With 11 UEFA Youth League goals to his name – seven of them this term – Abraham is joint fifth on the competition's all-time list. A substitute in both of Chelsea's fixtures in Nyon last year, the England Under-19 striker will almost certainly lead the line for the Blues at the Colovray Sports Centre this time around.
Did you know?
Chelsea are 13 games unbeaten in the competition, their last defeat a 2-0 reverse to Schalke in November 2014.
Story so far: Anderlecht
The Belgian side advanced through the Domestic Champions path, overcoming Brann and Servette before an impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal in the play-offs. The team coached by former Anderlecht forward Nicolás Frutos then lost at home to Dinamo Zagreb in the round of 16 but were subsequently awarded a 3-0 win and reinstated as the visitors had fielded an ineligible player. Barcelona were accounted for in the quarter-finals – the second successive season they have eliminated the Blaugrana.
Misses final if booked: Gilles Denayer, Mohamed Loua
Suspended: Orel Mangala (subject to appeal), Siebe Van Der Heyden
Key player: Jorn Vancamp
In his second UEFA Youth League campaign, Vancamp has been the inspiration behind Anderlecht's run to the semis, registering six goals in as many appearances. He showcased his predatory instincts in the quarter-final, innovatively turning in a corner against Barcelona with his chest. The forward marked his 17th birthday last October by opening the scoring against South Korea at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, one of two goals he managed in Chile as Belgium finished third.
Did you know?
Dodi Lukebakio scored in the senior Anderlecht side's 3-3 draw with Standard Liège on 28 February and has also made his UEFA Europa League debut this term.
