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Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves: 'Inconsistent' Chelsea are not favorites to win 'battle of Stamford Bridge
The Blues face the Spanish outfit on Tuesday and must win if they are to be certain of going through, but the Brazilian says the tie is in the balance and his team are ready
Dec 6, 2011 5:00:00 AM
By Francisco Delgado & Ben Hayward
Getty
Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves claims "inconsistent" Chelsea are not favorites to progress to the next round of the Champions League when the teams meet on Tuesday night in a game he has dubbed the "battle of Stamford Bridge".
"Chelsea are playing at home but for me, they aren't favorites," he told Goal.com. "The chances are 50-50 and I'm prepared for the 'battle of Stamford Bridge' - it's normal that Chelsea will attack our area, but Valencia know how to control such situations."
With Bayer Leverkusen already qualified, even in the event of an unlikely defeat against Genk, Chelsea and Valencia will fight it out for the last qualifying place in Group E.
The two teams have eight points, one less than Leverkusen, but a defeat for the Germans would still see them prevail in a three-way head-to-head in the event of a draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and Valencia tied 1-1 earlier on in the competition, meaning a goalless draw on Tuesday would see the Blues advance if Leverkusen do not lose to Genk, but any other stalemate will see the Spanish side go through thanks to its superior goal difference.
The Brazilian also claims Chelsea's inconsistency offers hope to his team and says he is looking forward to meeting Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and former Valencia star Juan Mata.
"Chelsea have been inconsistent this season and that gives us a big chance, but the players know it will be a tough game over 90 minutes," he said. "For me, playing against strikers like Drogba and Torres gives me an added incentive in my work.
"I played a good game against them in Valencia but Tuesday is a decisive game and it will be different. Mata is a great player as well, but we won't be obsessed by him. We're going to London to win the game."
"The game is a real final because one team will be knocked out of the Champions League. That's a real shame, but the calendar has decided this destiny. And the chance to knock out a team like Chelsea is unique, so it would be very sad if we didn't take this opportunity."
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"Chelsea are playing at home but for me, they aren't favorites," he told Goal.com. "The chances are 50-50 and I'm prepared for the 'battle of Stamford Bridge' - it's normal that Chelsea will attack our area, but Valencia know how to control such situations."
With Bayer Leverkusen already qualified, even in the event of an unlikely defeat against Genk, Chelsea and Valencia will fight it out for the last qualifying place in Group E.
The two teams have eight points, one less than Leverkusen, but a defeat for the Germans would still see them prevail in a three-way head-to-head in the event of a draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and Valencia tied 1-1 earlier on in the competition, meaning a goalless draw on Tuesday would see the Blues advance if Leverkusen do not lose to Genk, but any other stalemate will see the Spanish side go through thanks to its superior goal difference.
The Brazilian also claims Chelsea's inconsistency offers hope to his team and says he is looking forward to meeting Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and former Valencia star Juan Mata.
"Chelsea have been inconsistent this season and that gives us a big chance, but the players know it will be a tough game over 90 minutes," he said. "For me, playing against strikers like Drogba and Torres gives me an added incentive in my work.
"I played a good game against them in Valencia but Tuesday is a decisive game and it will be different. Mata is a great player as well, but we won't be obsessed by him. We're going to London to win the game."
"The game is a real final because one team will be knocked out of the Champions League. That's a real shame, but the calendar has decided this destiny. And the chance to knock out a team like Chelsea is unique, so it would be very sad if we didn't take this opportunity."
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