Ancelotti disappointed despite win.
Chelsea returned back to winning ways in their group F Champions League match against MSK Zilina and maintained their 100% record in the Europe league. Chelsea came from behind to win the match 2-1. Blues manager Carlos Ancelotti however was far from satisfied
with his team’s performance.
Chelsea has lost 3 of their last 4 League matches and their Italian manager was under immense pressure to win the game. After the 2-1 victory over Zilina, Ancelotti insisted his players need to lift up their game if they want to rule Europe. “If we play
like we did in the first half, it's impossible to win the Champions League. If we play like we did in the second then we'll have a chance.'' Chelsea boss openly expressed his disappointment over Gael Kakuta performance in the first half and took him off the
field at the break. ''I was upset because we didn't play well,'' the Italian said.
Chelsea went a goal behind after the 19th minute when Babatounde Bello's stunned Stamford Bridge. Bello was able to cut through Chelsea’s defense and calmly slotted the ball in to the back of the net. The visitors nearly went 2-0 up 30 minutes
into the game when Tomas Majtans strike was saved by Chelsea keeper Ross Turnbull. His counterpart Martin Dubravka was forced into making a fine save from Sturridge’s shot. Maluda missed a simple chance to equalize when he headed the ball straight to Zilina’s
keeper from close range. It was Sturridge’s turn to miss yet another opportunity in the 39th minute; his shot from 6 yards out went over the bar.
Kakuta was replaced with Salomon Kalou at half time and the Ivory Coast striker turned provider on the 51st minute. His ball went across the six yard box and missed a number of players before reaching Sturridge at the far post; he put the ball
in the back of the net to equalize for the home side. Didier Drogba came close to putting Chelsea in front but his free kick was saved by Dubravka and struck the crossbar. Chelsea started to show glimpses of the side which had started the season on such a
high note. They dominated the second half with shots from Sturridge, Patrick Van Aanholt and Drogba threatening to steal the winner. The London side eventually got their deserved winner through Maluda 4 minutes before the end of the game. Substitute Nickolas
Anelka’s cross was met by Drogba’s head, the ball went to Maluda at the far post who slotted the ball home.
Zilina’s previous game in the champions league match was against Marseille which ended with a horrendous score line of 7-0 in favor of Marseille. Zilina coach Pavel Hapal expressed his dissatisfaction over the result but honestly acknowledged his side could
have lost with a greater margin had Chelsea been able to convert their chance in the second half. Hapal said, “We are really disappointed because our boys fought for 90 minutes and we were hoping we were going home with one point,'' Hapal said.
A win at home after 2 consecutive league defeats will ease some nerves at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea lost 2 back to back games after over 4 and half years when they went down to Sunderland at home and then to Birmingham City the following week. Ancelloti and
his men will now face Newcastle, who has had a splendid run back in the top flight, away from home in the Premier league. Chelsea currently lead the league table on a better goal difference but are tied on 28 points with Manchester United.
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