Champions League Group D: Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Venue: Vicente Calderon Stadium Date: Tuesday, 3 November KO: 1945 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live and Sky Sports Xtra
Midfielder Joe Cole says Chelsea need to win the Champions League if they are to join Europe's elite clubs.
The Blues, who take on Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, won the Premier League in 2005 and 2006 but have never won Europe's premier domestic trophy.
"Chelsea are building a genuine claim to be as big as the Manchester Uniteds, the Real Madrids, the Milans but you have to win trophies," stated Cole.
"It's important for the club, we need to win the Champions League."
Chelsea have made a fine start to this year's European campaign, winning their opening three games without conceding a goal.
And Cole believes the Premier League leaders have what it takes to win the Champions League this time around.
"Obviously the Premier League is very important but for this club the Champions League is a massive target for us. We've not won it yet," added Cole.
"The Champions League is going to help show us as a worldwide club that means business.
"We've come close over the last five years and we probably should have won it on a few occasions.
"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."
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said Didier Drogba is "ready to work for the team" as he prepares to make his European comeback.
The Ivory Coast striker will line up against Atletico Madrid in his first Champions league outing since the semi-final defeat by Barcelona in May.
Drogba was given a three-match ban for abusing the referee after the match.
"He will return to work for the team - and he is ready to work," said Blues boss Ancelotti.
 |
606: DEBATE
Carlo_Chelsea
|
The Italian revealed he had witnessed the ugly scenes that followed Chelsea's controversial defeat by Barca.
Andres Iniesta's late goal ensured the Spanish champions progressed to the final on away goals after Norwegian referee Tom Ovrebo had rejected a succession of Chelsea penalty appeals.
Drogba, who had been substituted because of injury, marched on to the pitch after the whistle to subject the match official to a prolonged verbal tirade.
"I saw what happened," confirmed Ancelotti. "I didn't speak with him about this, I'd rather speak about the results of the last three games."
Ancelotti pointed out that Chelsea are in good form, having recorded wins of 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0 since beating Atletico 4-0 at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago.
They sit top of Group D after three straight victories, three points clear of second-placed Porto.
Victory on Tuesday evening would ensure qualification for the last 16, with two matches to spare.
Chelsea will fancy their chances against a side that have won once in nine Primera Liga games and have gained only a point in the Champions League so far.
Former Valencia and Benfica coach Quique Sanchez Flores has replaced Abel Resino, who was sacked as manager following the defeat by Chelsea.
|
To win the Champions League is very, very difficult. Everything has to go well for us to win
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti
|
"Quique Sanchez Flores is a good coach, he had a good experience at Valencia and I think he can do a good job at Atletico Madrid," added Ancelotti.
"We have respect for Atletico because they have very good players; Tomas Ujfalusi is a good defender, Sergio Aguero is a very good striker, Diego Forlan is a very good striker, Maxi is a very good midfielder.
"I think now is not a very good moment for them but I think they have the quality to get out of their situation."
Chelsea are two points clear of Manchester United in the Premier League and are well-placed to challenge for the two biggest prizes this season but Ancelotti is under no illusions as to where the club's priorities should lie.
"The Champions League, for me, is the most important trophy this season," he said. "I won it as a player and a coach and it was a fantastic moment in my career.
"I think for this club it's important to try in all competitions until the end of the season.
"To win the Champions League is very, very difficult. Everything has to go well for us to win."
- purchase isotretinoin - order isotretinoin online
- cheap propecia - order generic propecia online
- viagra kaufen schweiz
- buy valium without prescription - buy valium
- cialis kaufen billig - viagra kaufen
No comments:
Post a Comment