Chelsea's Champions League Fight Isn't Over - Ashley Cole

Speaking after Chelsea's draw away at Atletico Madrid, Ashley Cole told Goal.com that, despite having qualified from their group, there is still some disappointment - and work yet to be done.

It's a busy week for the Chelsea players. After this tough encounter at the Vicente Calderon, they barely have time to gather their strength before they take on Premier League champions Manchester United at the weekend.

But what will concern Carlo Ancelotti most going into that clash is how easily his team conceded two goals to Atletico in the midweek draw.

Although one point was enough to guarantee qualification for the knock-out stages, it's a sign of how high expectations are that there was still some lingering unhappiness at having conceded goals.

In a grim warning to other teams, Ashley Cole wants the Blues to perform even better in their remaining group games.

"We've got to go to Porto now and hopefully we can get a result there, and top the group. It's in our hands again and we have to play better than today," Cole told Goal.com after the match.

Despite thrashing Atletico at Stamford Bridge, Cole wasn't surprised at the way the Spaniards reacted.

"Their team was totally different and we knew it would be harder," said. "They seemed a little bit more attacking, of course they were at home, and they do have a new manager. It was a tough game and you have to give them credit, they came out and fought and battled hard."

Success in the Champions League has been tantalisingly close for the Blues, and their failure to win the competition has turned the trophy into an obsession. However, Cole wouldn't be drawn into choosing the Champions League over the league title 

"I think we want to fight for both," he said. "We have to take it just one game at a time. Now we have a big game on Sunday so we have to regroup for that. Then we have Porto away and we know that's a tough game as well. They are playing well so hopefully we can get a result there and stay on top of the group."

This season Chelsea seem to be more comfortable playing in Europe. While the experience of Ancelotti is a factor, Cole feels that the formation the team uses is also making an impact.

"I think we've got the players to play a lot of systems," he stated. "When we play the diamond formation away from home we try to play compact and not to concede any goals. In this game we conceded two goals, so we are disappointed. But the players are playing well and confident in any formation we play, and we hope we can keep that going and win more games."

Focusing back on the league and Manchester United, the England defender is pleased that Cristiano Ronaldo says his tussles with Cole is one of the things he misses most about English football. And Cole is equally gushing in his praise for the former United star

"You always miss great players in the Premiership," he stated. "What he did and achieved at Manchester United was brilliant. When we play them it won't be the same without him. He's a great player. Now I have to learn how to play against Antonio Valencia. It's a totally different way and style how [United] play, but they are still a great team."

And despite the draw against Atletico, Cole feels that Chelsea are in the right frame of mind to meet the challenge of United.

"We are confident and playing well and getting good results," he said. "Sunday is a big game, a big battle. It might be a little bit tense because we don't want to lose and they don't want to lose."

"We feel that if we can come out against Man U then we've got a good chance of winning it and of course it's a chance to go ahead of them.

"Any points will do us, but to go five points clear will be good."

Cole has won the league title of course, but that was when he was at Arsenal. He is determined to repeat the feat in the blue half of London.

"I won it at Arsenal but have not won it since I have been here at Chelsea," he lamented. "I hope this is the season we can do it. Everyone is behind the players - the staff and the manager have been great with us.

" For me I want to win the Premier League and go through 38 games in the league beating great teams. When you win the Premier League, you're a great team. It's so hard to win the league with the likes of Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham [Hotspur]. There are a lot of good teams. To do win it with Chelsea would be brilliant."

Ashish Sharma, Goal.com