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Chelsea Comment: Blues Show Their Determination To Give Everything In Europe
Atletico Madrid also have a massive game at the weekend, but neither side is taking tonight's game lightly.
Nov 3, 2009 6:42:25 AM
You might expect it of the League Cup, but not of the Champions League. Nevertheless, tonight's game between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea threatens to be something of an anti-climax, as both teams have at least one eye on vital league clashes at the weekend.
Chelsea play host to title rivals Manchester United, while Atletico will take on arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon in a game their fans will demand they win.
With Chelsea almost certain to qualify from Group D already, and new Atletico boss Quique Sanchez Flores already admitting that La Liga is his priority (his side sit bottom of the group, five points adrift of second-placed Porto), it would seem tonight's game could have all the makings of a damp squib.
But Flores believes the tie with Chelsea could actually be perfect preparation for his beleaguered side - especially as they have so little to lose.
"They [Chelsea and Real Madrid] are two opponents who are going to demand a lot out of us, but we have chances to win both," he said in his pre-match conference.
"The match against Chelsea could really give us a lot and take away just a little. We have to be optimistic and positive. We have to face them with confidence.
"We have to be at 100 per cent to win. We have to represent this club well, and together with the supporters, create a complicated atmosphere for Chelsea."
Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is similarly focused, although he will make some changes to the side that beat Bolton, with Alex likely to return to the first team in the centre of defence and Joe Cole restored to the head of the diamond.
Ashley Cole should also return at left-back, having missed the last three games through injury.
Ref rage | Drogba is back after that outburst
Most encouragingly for the club, Didier Drogba will make his bow in this year's competition after serving his three-game suspension for last season's infamous outburst after the club's semi-final heartbreak to Barcelona.
"He will return to work for the team," Ancelotti stated yesterday, "and he is ready to work."
Even UEFA president Michel Platini has encouragement for the 31-year-old.
"Drogba's a good guy. I know him very well. He understands now that he made a mistake. Everybody does," the Frenchman said.
"He will come back better, stronger."
The Ivorian's return, especially considering he was reported to have picked up an injury at the weekend, shows how determined the Blues are to keep going after a solid start in Europe.
Valuable test | Flores believes his side can learn
And ahead of the game Joe Cole has been reminding everyone that the players and staff desperately want to be back in the Spanish capital come next May to lift the trophy that has so far eluded them.
"I think it's important for the club, we need to win the Champions League," the England international said.
"We've not won it yet. We've come close over the last five years and we probably should've won it on a few occasions.
"Chelsea are building a genuine claim to be as big as the Manchester Uniteds, the Real Madrids, the Barcelonas, the Milans....[but] you have to win trophies, and you have to win major trophies.
"We have the right people in charge, we have the experience now and we have to come to places like this and win, that's the challenge for us."
Far from a distraction, then, from the pre-match comments at least it seems that both managers are relishing tonight's game.
Having won the competition as a player and a manager, Ancelotti knows the competition affords no easy games.
"The Champions League for me is the most important trophy this season," Ancelotti admitted.
"To win the Champions League is very, very difficult. Everything has to go well for us to win."
Alex Dimond, Goal.com UK
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
Chelsea play host to title rivals Manchester United, while Atletico will take on arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon in a game their fans will demand they win.
With Chelsea almost certain to qualify from Group D already, and new Atletico boss Quique Sanchez Flores already admitting that La Liga is his priority (his side sit bottom of the group, five points adrift of second-placed Porto), it would seem tonight's game could have all the makings of a damp squib.
But Flores believes the tie with Chelsea could actually be perfect preparation for his beleaguered side - especially as they have so little to lose.
"They [Chelsea and Real Madrid] are two opponents who are going to demand a lot out of us, but we have chances to win both," he said in his pre-match conference.
"The match against Chelsea could really give us a lot and take away just a little. We have to be optimistic and positive. We have to face them with confidence.
"We have to be at 100 per cent to win. We have to represent this club well, and together with the supporters, create a complicated atmosphere for Chelsea."
Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is similarly focused, although he will make some changes to the side that beat Bolton, with Alex likely to return to the first team in the centre of defence and Joe Cole restored to the head of the diamond.
Ashley Cole should also return at left-back, having missed the last three games through injury.
Ref rage | Drogba is back after that outburst
"He will return to work for the team," Ancelotti stated yesterday, "and he is ready to work."
Even UEFA president Michel Platini has encouragement for the 31-year-old.
"Drogba's a good guy. I know him very well. He understands now that he made a mistake. Everybody does," the Frenchman said.
"He will come back better, stronger."
The Ivorian's return, especially considering he was reported to have picked up an injury at the weekend, shows how determined the Blues are to keep going after a solid start in Europe.
Valuable test | Flores believes his side can learn
"I think it's important for the club, we need to win the Champions League," the England international said.
"We've not won it yet. We've come close over the last five years and we probably should've won it on a few occasions.
"Chelsea are building a genuine claim to be as big as the Manchester Uniteds, the Real Madrids, the Barcelonas, the Milans....[but] you have to win trophies, and you have to win major trophies.
"We have the right people in charge, we have the experience now and we have to come to places like this and win, that's the challenge for us."
Far from a distraction, then, from the pre-match comments at least it seems that both managers are relishing tonight's game.
Having won the competition as a player and a manager, Ancelotti knows the competition affords no easy games.
"The Champions League for me is the most important trophy this season," Ancelotti admitted.
"To win the Champions League is very, very difficult. Everything has to go well for us to win."
Alex Dimond, Goal.com UK
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
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