Graphic: Chelsea v Bordeaux

Luiz Felipe Scolari and Laurent Blanc do not have a great deal in common, but the one missing jewel from careers that have brought World Cup success and league titles in multiple countries brings them together at Stamford Bridge this evening. “The cup with the big ears,” as the European Cup was immortalised by Sir Alex Ferguson, is the bauble absent from both men’s extensive collections as they start Champions League campaigns for the first time as managers.

Having inherited a Chelsea side who came within a successful penalty kick of winning the trophy in Moscow in May, Scolari has a far better chance of completing his set this season than Blanc does with Bordeaux and should certainly have little problem coming through a group that also includes CFR Cluj, the Romanian minnows, and AS Roma, of Italy. But such opportunities bring problems of their own.

Buoyed by a honeymoon period that has brought three wins from four Barclays Premier League matches, the Brazilian insisted yesterday that he is under no particular pressure to win this competition, but for the first time in his brief reign, he did not sound convincing. Claudio Ranieri, José Mourinho and Avram Grant were all shown the exit largely as a result of their failings at the highest level of European football, while this week’s first anniversary of Mourinho’s shock departure after a 1-1 draw with Rosenborg should concentrate Scolari’s mind further. Rarely is the axe allowed to become blunt in this part of West London, despite Scolari’s protestations.

“I don’t talk with Roman Abramovich [the Chelsea owner] about the Champions League,” Scolari said. “I talked with Mr Roman about Chelsea and about all competitions. But not about A, B or C. Never. The competitions are the FA Cup, Carling Cup, Premier League, Champions League.

“The previous manager was not sacked because of the Champions League. You are wrong. You don’t know the history. I know why. Not to win, the coach is out? No, it’s not this.”

With Bordeaux habitual underdogs to the all-conquering Lyons in France, Blanc does not have this problem, although he has found one solution to the case of his missing medal. A word in Abramovich’s ear this evening, a move to Chelsea with access to the Russian’s millions and he believes that he could build a team capable of winning the Champions League.

Blanc did not accuse Chelsea of buying success, but neatly illustrated the way that the landscape has changed since he left Manchester United five years ago. The Frenchman expects English clubs to dominate in Europe again this year, largely as a result of the foreign money that has come flooding into the country on the back of Abramovich’s arrival.

“When I was leaving United, Abramovich had just arrived and was taking the first steps towards strengthening the side and the club,” Blanc said. “It’s easier when you’ve got the millions of pounds that Chelsea have behind them. Even I might be able to put together a team that could win the European Cup with that money behind me.

“But, in spite of that, they’ve still not managed to win the Champions League, which just shows how difficult it is to win. Chelsea need to win a Champions League to be considered in the same light as United. And that’s their main aim, isn’t it?

“Last year was a demonstration that English football has become the best in Europe, technically and financially. They are ruling Europe and it’s hard to see who can stop them.”

Despite being a Champions League novice, Scolari has twice won the Copa Libertadores – the equivalent competition in South America. Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, has set Chelsea the target of winning the Champions League twice in the next five seasons.

“I know Chelsea have been trying many years to win this Champions League,” Scolari said. “It’s not easy for any club, including Chelsea, to get to the final. We start again trying to get there, but it’s a long way.”

Didier Drogba is suspended tonight after his sending-off in last season’s final, but Michael Ballack is available again after a foot injury.