CFR Cluj continued its impressive start in the Champions League.

October 2, 2008

CFR Cluj continued its impressive start in the Champions League. Drawing 0-0 with Chelsea on Wednesday to stay unbeaten in Group A.

Cluj has four points from its first two games and leads the group with Chelsea.

“We were not afraid and that could be seen today,” Cluj chairman Iuliu Muresan said. “They won’t make jokes about us any more. We are a real team. This is the most important result in our club’s history.”

Eugen Trica threatened to get a late winner for the Romanian champion in the 80th with a fierce shot from the edge of the area. Six minutes later, Alvaro Pereira forced a close-range save from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was taken off on a stretcher in the 55th with ankle ligament damage, appearing to fall awkwardly while trying to score from a low cross into the six yard box.

“One point is a good result,” Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “I am happy with all of my players. They tried. There are some injuries.”

Cluj, which just six years ago was in the third tier of Romanian football, could even have beaten the Premier League powerhouse - last year’s runner-up following a penalty shootout loss to English rival Manchester United.

Cech had to rush to beat Cluj midfielder Sebastian Dubarbier to a through ball in the first minute and then watched as Yssof Kone’s 30-meter (yard) lob went over the bar.

Dubarbier was called for offside in a dangerous position, while left-back Pereira caused Chelsea several problems when he surged forward, not least when Jose Bosingwa had to tackle him in the area or when he shot just wide with a low effort.

Chelsea reverted to two strikers by bringing on Nicolas Anelka before Drogba was injured in another blow for Chelsea, which already has Joe Cole, Deco, Ricard Carvalho and Ashley Cole on the sidelines with injuries.

“I have to build the team again,” said Scolari, who said that captain John Terry and defender Alex were also hurt during the game.