Deadly Drogba off the leash, warns Hiddink

12 March,2009 09:07 AM IST |   |  PA Sport

Guus Hiddink has warned Europe's top defenders that they will will have to be at their very best to contain a rampant Didier Drogba.


Guus Hiddink has warned Europe's top defenders that they will will have to be at their very best to contain a rampant Didier Drogba.

The Ivorian striker scored his fourth goal in five games as Chelsea reached the last eight of the Champions League with a 2-2 draw in Turin.

The result made Drogba's first-leg winner at Stamford Bridge all the more important as the Blues ran out 3-2 aggregate winners.

Drogba was on target in the 83rd minute as Hiddink's side twice came from behind to thwart Juve at the Stadio Olimpico.

Chelsea had fallen behind on the night to Vincenzo Iaquinta's 19th-minute goal but Michael Essien levelled in first-half stoppage time.

Juve's Giorgio Chiellini was sent off for a second bookable offence before Alessandro Del Piero put the Serie A giants back in from the penalty spot after Juliano Belletti handled.

But Drogba crushed Juve's hearts when he converted a cross from Belletti seven minutes from time to book Chelsea's passage into the quarter-finals.

"He's very important, how he's showing his commitment and how he's always busy," said Hiddink.

"He doesn't give you, as a central defender, an easy night. When he scores, it's even better.

"He's doing very well. For the second goal, he came just ahead of his marker. That's a sign that he is sharp."

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Guus Hiddink Didier Drogba Chelsea Champions League