Chelsea FC have been drawn against SSC Napoli in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

The first leg of this tie will be on February 21 at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples, with the return leg at Stamford Bridge on March 14.

This will be no easy task for the London club as the Azzurri qualified second in their group behind FC Bayern München, with their only defeat coming from the German side at the Allianz Arena.

Chelsea don’t have the best record against Italian clubs they have won just one of their last five matches against Italian opposition and just one out of the seven games they have played away in Italy. Their last encounter with an Italian side was against Inter Milan back in the 2009-2010 season where Chelsea lost both legs and were knocked out in the round of sixteen by Jose Mourinho’s team.

“I think we have one of the most difficult draws but whichever team you get in the last 16 will be a difficult team.” André Villas-Boas told Chelsea TV “They are a side that works collectively very well and Walter Mazzarri has always been a coach that organises his teams very well.”

Napoli has been playing some great football under Mazzarri, with their attacking prowess centered around Marek Hamšík, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi. They are quick on the counter-attack and this may cause problems for Chelsea’s back four, but if Chelsea can retain the form they are in right now they have a good chance of advancing to the quarterfinals.

This should be a great match-up Chelsea have the advantage of being home in the second leg, but in my opinion an away goal is a must for Chelsea. It won’t be easy to advance to the next round, but it’s not impossible. It could have been worse Chelsea could have come second in their group and drawn Barcelona.

Win or Lose Up The Blues!

-All quotes taken from chelseafc.com