SCOLARI: THIS COULD BE BEAUTIFUL

Felipe Scolari has forecast a treat for the sell-out crowd at tomorrow's Chelsea v Roma match and for the millions watching on television around the world.

At time the draw was made, this fixture appeared the big one in Group A. Although CFR Cluj have proved to be the Champions League's big surprise package, last May's beaten finalists against last season's Serie A runners-up remains a mouthwatering prospect.

'I think tomorrow it will be beautiful game,' Scolari predicts. 'Roma play like Chelsea. They pass the ball, move, the players don't kick the ball straight to the front. They try to play like a beautiful team.

'The characteristics of the players I have at Chelsea now gives me the chance to play more free, more with the ball, but I say this to Chelsea supporters - we play beautiful football but we need three points every game. Without three points it is difficult to arrive in the Final.'

Scolari was speaking ahead of his team's training session at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, a session that included Petr Cech and Ricardo Carvalho but saw the two Coles, Joe and Ashley, remain absent.

Not only does Scolari view tomorrow's game as potentially eye-catching, he also believes it is the key fixture in Chelsea's group stage campaign.

'We know that to qualify we need to win tomorrow. If we win we have to play Roma again and Bordeaux away and the last game is at home. The most important game is tomorrow because after if we win or draw one more game, we have qualified for the next stage.'

Before sending John Terry and the players out onto the Bridge pitch, Scolari moved to reassure fans there is no lingering back problem afflicting the captain.

Labelling those who believe Terry would choose to miss England games as 'crazy', Scolari ruled out a suggestion that surgery may be needed in the long term and pointed out the player has yet to miss a Chelsea game this campaign.

'I don't think John needs more than our medical staff does with him at the moment.

'He did not play in the national team because he had an injury that in one or two days it was not possible to play. After more days with our medical staff, it is normal a player who has a little problem in the back can play a game.

'It is normal not to play one or two games. John is a good captain, a good man, sometimes he plays with pain and this is a captain I want. I am one of the best fans for John Terry.'