Chelsea have made a habit of snatching successes while surrounded by adversity and instability - but their current plight surely means retaining the Champions League crown will be beyond even their powers of escapology.
Stricken by sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich for alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin and with three of four shortlisted potential successors watching on at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea suffered another blow in what is developing into a chaotic season.
Chelsea have navigated a route out of hazardous situations in this competition in the past but even their ability to defy the odds will surely not run to overturning a 3-1 quarter-final deficit in the second leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.