Carlo Ancelotti realistic after 7-0 win over Ipswich Town
Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti said he would not be carried away with his side’s win over Ipswich Town 7-0 in the third round of the FA Cup, on Sunday. The Italian manager said it would take a lot more than a win over a Championship
side to confirm that the Blues had returned to winning ways, keeping in mind this has been Chelsea’s worst run since the 1995-1996 season.
However, they looked like their former selves at Stamford Bridge as they scored goal after goal to secure their passage into the next round of the FA Cup. The Blues defence for the FA Cup has begun just how they wanted it to after
a disappointing run in the domestic league, which has seen them slump to fifth position in the table, a possible 12 points behind league leaders Manchester United.
Ancelotti was visibly pleased with the big win but refused to be overwhelmed. He said, “We needed to have this kind of performance. The result was good and we did a lot of things well in this game - the performance of the team,
the strikers scoring again. We don't have to be excited. But, obviously, with this victory, our confidence will improve. We have to wait to say everything is okay.”
Ancelotti had announced before the match that he would feature his first team in the match, depending on the recovery of some key players. However, he did give some young players like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Sturridge-c10076 a chance to start and prove
themselves. Sturridge did just that as he found the back of the net twice, along with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Anelka-c27786.
Not only did the Chelsea stars end their goal drought in style, they gained back the much-needed self-confidence. The first 30 minutes of the match were spent by both sides fighting for possession and trying to establish their
dominance, a battle the Blues won as Kalou scored the opening goal. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 were unstoppable after that as they seemed to score goal upon goal as the home fans cheered them on.
While speaking of the match, the former AC Milan manager admitted his side was not at its best in the first 30 minutes. He said, “There were differences in the first 30 minutes of this game and the other 60. We were a bit worried,
less confident in that first period. When we scored the first goal, everything was okay. But we have to play more games to say the bad moment has gone.”
The win yesterday will have saved Ancelotti from facing the axe, for now, but the upcoming fixtures in the English Premier League and the Champions League are essential. Despite owner Roman Abramovich insisting Ancelotti was not
going anywhere, it is understood a bad result could send the Italian packing. For now, he stays at Stamford Bridge, adored by the Chelsea fans who were chanting his name towards the end of the highly entertaining game.
Ancelotti has what is necessary to steer the defending champions to their former glory, but he will need reinforcements in the January transfer window if he is expected to do that. Having been ruled out of the title race, at the
very least Ancelotti will be expected to retain the FA Cup and/or win the European Cup, which if won, will be a first for Chelsea.
Tags: