Manchester United vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786: Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti praises Didier Drogba despite defeat
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has praised striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044 for his performances against Manchester United despite the Blues defeat at Old Trafford.
Drogba was on the score sheet for Chelsea whereas Javier Hernandez and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Park-Ji-Sung-c29147 scored for the Red Devils.
Chelsea’s hopes of progressing to the UEFA Champions League semi-final ended as the Blues failed to beat the Red Devils in the second leg of the quarter-final.
United qualified for the semi-final on aggregate (3-1) where they will meet German side Schalke 04 or Italian side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan.
Going into the match, United had the upper hand as they had a one-goal lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge and a home win ensured that they eliminate the Blues from the competition.
Ancelotti admits he is disappointed that his side did not capitalise on their early dominance of the match and failed to score.
He said, “I think we had control of the game for the first 25 minutes in the first half but we were unable to score, we had some opportunities to score, then at the end of the first half when they scored it became more difficult for us.”
The former AC Milan manager’s gamble to start http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 upfront for Chelsea backfired as the Spaniard continued his goal drought and could not find the back of the net for the Blues.
Meanwhile, Drogba who replaced Torres at half-time, had a fantastic second half for Chelsea. The Ivorian created constant problems for the United defence and scored a brilliant goal to give the side a short-lived hope.
Ancelotti said, “[On Torres] We have to believe, to have the patience with him, we have to wait and he will improve. Drogba had a fantastic second half, using power, using ability and scoring a goal. He came on but his performance was good.”
Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League means the Blues are in danger of ending the season without any silverware as they only have an outside chance of winning the English Premier League.
At present, Chelsea are placed third in the EPL table and trail the leaders Manchester United by 11 points.
Ancelotti has urged his side to put the defeat behind them and focus on the Premier League to ensure Chelsea’s Champions League qualification for the next campaign.
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