Drogba Opens Account on Chelsea Return in Champions League Win
By BBC Sport | Football – Chelsea
Didier Drogba has scored his first goal since returning to Chelsea, helping the Blues to a commanding 6-0 victory over Maribor in the UEFA Champions League.
The Ivorian striker, who rejoined the London club this summer after two years away, has seen limited action due to a string of injuries. But on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge, he seized the opportunity to remind fans of his trademark composure.
Introduced into the starting line-up in place of the injured Diego Costa, Drogba converted a first-half penalty to double Chelsea’s lead after Loïc Rémy had opened the scoring. Though the veteran forward missed a couple of chances, he looked increasingly sharp as the game wore on.
Captain John Terry added a third just before the break, capping off a dominant first half for José Mourinho’s side. Chelsea went on to complete a comfortable victory in the second half, reinforcing their position at the top of Group G.
For Drogba, the goal marks a personal milestone on his return to the club where he achieved legendary status during his first spell, famously scoring the equaliser and decisive penalty in the 2012 Champions League final.
With Chelsea flying high both domestically and in Europe, Drogba’s return to scoring form is likely to delight fans and coaching staff alike — particularly with Costa nursing a hamstring issue.
The 36-year-old’s return to prominence could also reignite speculation about a possible comeback for the Ivorian national team, who are struggling to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Though Drogba has retired from international duty, some fans and pundits have begun to wonder whether he might once again be called upon to ‘rescue’ the Elephants in their hour of need.
