Malouda revels in left-back role
442 Staff - Thursday 25 February 2010, 16:06
Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda said he enjoyed his role as left-back for the Blues' Champions League last 16 tie with Inter Milan on Wednesday.
The French international was drafted into defence with both Ashley Cole and Yuri Zhirkov injured and Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira ineligible.
And the 29-year-old acquitted himself well as part of Carlo Ancelotti's back-four, coping with the marauding runs forward of Brazilian right-back Maicon comfortably.
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"Sometimes he was trying to trick the referee and we were laughing on the pitch, but yes I was trying to stop him and he was one of their strengths," he told Chelsea's official website.
"I was trying to bring some attacking and stay focused defensively because they were always trying to play the ball behind me, so I hope the home game I play my position [left wing]."
And Malouda revealed that left-back was not a completely unfamilar position to him, as he had been asked to play there on several occasions for former club Lyon.
"I played maybe 15 games in four years at left-back for Lyon. Every time there was an injury or somebody was banned I had to play there," he said.
"For me it is not a big problem, it is a matter of communication and taking responsibility, and I like doing that. I do prefer playing behind the strikers or as an attacking midfielder but we have to go through this and I am trying to help."
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