UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Mourinho braving Chelsea storm as Dynamo call

José Mourinho called Chelsea's meeting with Dynamo Kyiv "a must-not-lose but not a must-win", insisting he was bearing up well amid a long-overdue tough spell in his career.

José Mourinho speaking ahead of Dynamo's visit to Stamford Bridge
José Mourinho speaking ahead of Dynamo's visit to Stamford Bridge ©Getty Images
  • Chelsea have lost six of 11 league games this term and are 15th in top flight
  • José Mourinho says he is "stable and strong" despite recent results
  • Dynamo have kept clean sheets in 14 of their 19 matches this season
  • Ukrainian side have drawn two and lost ten of their 12 games in England

Possible lineup
Chelsea: Begović; Ivanović, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matić, Fàbregas, Hazard; Willian, Costa.
Out: Courtois (knee), Falcao (unspecified)
Doubtful: Pedro (unspecified)

Dynamo Kyiv: Shovkovskiy; Vida, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Antunes; Rybalka, Sydorchuk, Buyalskiy, González, Yarmolenko; Kravets.
Out: Danilo Silva (wife due to give birth)

José Mourinho, Chelsea manager
In May 2004, after [Porto's win in] the Champions League final, I said in the press conference that one day in my career bad results will come. I said that I would deal with that period with the honesty and dignity that I did at the time. It took time but now we are in that time and I am stable and strong to face it. I am completely convinced that we are going to qualify first. The reality is that the game tomorrow is not a game we have to win – it's a must-not-lose, but not a must-win.

Serhiy Rebrov, Dynamo Kyiv coach
We really shouldn't be thinking about what's happening with Chelsea, because what is happening to them happens to everyone at some point. I'm sure their coach is very qualified to deal with the situation and he will find a way out. We need to think about our game and not focus on whether they are a wounded animal or not. We didn't think about that in Kyiv and we won't think about it here. We wish Chelsea all the best in the Premier League but not tomorrow night. The only thing that worries me at the moment is winning this match.

Mourinho's Champions League journey

Weekend results
Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool (Ramires 4; Coutinho 45+3 74, Benteke 83)
Chelsea have suffered three home defeats already in 2015/16, having been unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in last season's Premier League; they lost three home league games in total over the last three campaigns before this one.

Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 Metalist (Sydorchuk 34, Júnior Moraes 74)
Dynamo kept pace with Ukrainian Premier League leaders Shakhtar after victory against a struggling Metalist side.

Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Chelsea: LDLDWL
Dynamo Kyiv: WWDLWW

Reporter's view: Trevor Haylett
These are strange times at Stamford Bridge. A visit from Dynamo Kyiv wouldn't normally rattle the worry beads among Chelsea supporters, but right now it's a fixture that has assumed a 'must win' identity. It could be the perfect opportunity for the Blues to bounce back to form but we have said that before this season only to be left bemused by their continuing struggles.

Did you know?
Dynamo have never won in England (D2 L10). Find out more in our extensive match background.

Check out some of the sights that you can expect to see off the pitch if you visit Chelsea this season.

Selected for you