Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti ready for 'final' showdown – EPL News
Chelsea boss, Carlo Ancelotti, has put a lot of emphasis on the big Premier League game against Manchester United on Sunday, May 8. The Italian said that the game at Old Trafford is as big as a Champions League final, for his team. The comments were made by Ancelotti in a press conference, ahead of the match in Manchester.
Chelsea will take on Manchester United knowing that a win, will take them level on points with the Red Devils, which would be an unbelievable achievement for the Blues, considering that they had trailed the league leaders by 15 points, just two months ago.
The Blues were knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester United during the quarter-final stage and at that point, Chelsea’s hopes of ending the season with any piece of silverware were almost over. Ancelotti had seemed resigned to his fate and had conceded defeat.
However, Chelsea’s fortunes have changed over the last eight weeks or so, as they have gone on a run in the league that has seen them attain 25 out of possible 27 points, in the last nine games. Ancelotti believes that the next match is as big as it gets in club football, for his team.
Ancelotti, said, “For us, it's like a final. We wanted to play the final of the Champions League, but we have to be happy to play this different kind of final. We can compare it to a final. We have to prepare for this game like it's a final.”
The Italian said that there is immense pressure on the team ahead of the game and that a side needs to have plenty of quality in order to relax, ahead of such a big game. He added that there is no need to sweat over the implications of the match.
Ancelotti was glad that he has a chance to prove all those people wrong, who had written him and his team off, a few weeks back. He added, “You thought that this season was no good and now you have this opportunity. This season has not gone as everyone suggested. Everyone said that during the season.”
Chelsea’s boss went on to say that his team is still well and truly in the title race and all credit goes to the mental strength and character of his team. He added that his players are very committed and have a professional approach. Ancelotti said that after the Champions League exit against Manchester United, it was not easy to lift his team, but they continued to believe and now they have a chance to complete one of the biggest comeback title wins of all time.
Last season, Chelsea did win at Old Trafford and that game was also dubbed as a title decider. Ancelotti believes that there is no reason why his team cannot repeat the act, once again.
The former Italian player was cautious in making big statements about his team’s win and said that Manchester United will be the favourites in the match. He asserted that his team will go into the contest with a positive frame of mind and will do everything within their powers, to topple the Red Devils.
United have a three point lead over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and if the Blues manage to win, they will be level on points and the last two games will determine the fate of the title. On the other hand, if Manchester United wins the game, the title will be all but sealed for the Red Devils.
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