Ancelotti keeps feet on the ground - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

English Premiership

Ancelotti keeps feet on the ground

LONDON, October 29 – Carlo Ancelotti played down Chelsea's recent scoring run that has brought 13 goals in three games and warned his side will face a much sterner test at Bolton this weekend.
DIDIER_DROGBA_1_Ancelotti’s team cruised into the last eight of the League Cup on the back of a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of Gary Megson’s side on Wednesday and they meet again in a Premier League clash at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Despite the comfortable nature of the victory that was achieved on the back of goals from Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, Deco and Didier Drogba, the Chelsea coach warned against complacency before a game that will test his side’s abilities away from home.

"It’s an impressive (tally), but for us the first thing is to play well and to win a game," Ancelotti said.

"It happens we’ve won with large results, but that’s not so important. Rather, we want to win the games. We played the last three games very well, and Saturday can be another kind of match. We have to be ready to play a different match."

Ancelotti’s mood has been lifted by the successful return from injury of key players Paulo Ferreira, Alex and, most notably, Joe Cole.

England winger Cole was outstanding in the weekend 5-0 defeat of Blackburn and again stood out in only his third start since returning from a serious knee injury.

Ancelotti said: "I think this is a very good moment for us. Above all, because the players who returned after injury came back very well.

"Joe Cole came back in the Blackburn game last match and did very well. Alex and Paulo Ferreira did a very intelligent match. It’s a very good moment. We have to continue and maintain this atmosphere."

And he praised Cole’s return to form, adding: "This means that he worked very hard to rest his injury and arrived to play in good condition.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

"I was surprised because, after eight months, it’s not easy to play like Joe has played these two games."

The main concern for Ancelotti was the fitness of Hilario, the reserve keeper who was forced out of the game in the first half with a head injury and was followed into the treatment room by Kalou.

"We are awaiting a scan (on Hilario)," said the Italian, who confirmed the keeper had concussion.

"We’re hoping he’ll be better in the next few days. Kalou had a little problem on his leg and I preferred to keep him rather than see him injured. It’ll be a different game on Saturday, but we’re ready to play a different game."

Megson was disappointed his side capitulated so meekly but promised the weekend meeting with be a completely different affair, particularly because striker Kevin Davies will be back in the Wanderers line-up.

"I’m pleased to be playing them again on Saturday," said Megson. "We need to put on a performance. That was a bit of a stroll.

"Our team will be different, not just in personnel but in approach, and I hope we’re a lot more wholehearted than it was here.

"Davo gets battered from pillar to post every time he plays. He had three stitches above his right eye against United, and two above his left eye against Everton (last Sunday).

"We just felt it would be unfair to chuck him in as we did against Everton, and then ask him to do the same on Saturday. He needed a breather.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

"But we missed a lot of things. We weren’t physically as strong as we need to be. Hopefully it’ll be a bit different on Saturday."

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved