Ancelotti: Win more important than Torres goal
Reuters - Monday 11 April 2011, 19:12
MANCHESTER - Chelsea manager
Carlo Ancelotti will throw "something special" at Manchester
United in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final and said a
win was more important than a first goal for Fernando Torres.
Spain striker Torres is still waiting to find the net since
his record 50 million pounds move in January
and while a goal from him would be welcome as Chelsea travel to
Old Trafford with a 1-0 first-leg deficit, it is far from
essential.
GEAR: Free printing and up to £20 off Champions League kits. Free delivery on orders over £50
"I am not interested in a goal for Fernando, I am interested
that Chelsea can win this game," Ancelotti told a news
conference on Monday, his shrugs hinting he was getting weary of
the never-ending questions about the former Liverpool player.
"If Fernando scores it is good for him and it is good for
Chelsea but if another (player) scores it doesn't matter - it
is important to win.
"He doesn't have pressure from us because our aim is that he
can play for the squad. I never ask any of my strikers to score
a goal," added Ancelotti.
The Italian said Torres would definitely play, but would not
be drawn on whether he would start before offering a small clue
as to what might help the striker break his duck.
"Yossi (Benayoun) knows Fernando very well, he knows his
movement... he has an advantage to play with Fernando," said
Ancelotti referring to the Chelsea midfielder who used to play
alongside Torres at Liverpool.
Benayoun's introduction off the bench in Saturday's 1-0
Premier League win over Wigan Athletic coincided with several
clear-cut chances for Torres although he missed them all as he
provided more unpleasant reading for himself in the newspapers.
ANCELOTTI PRESSURE
The notion that Ancelotti was also under pressure, knowing
that previous Chelsea managers who have not brought home the
coveted European Cup have been given their marching orders, was
met with an even bigger shrug than the Torres debate.
"I'm not afraid, not worried about this," said Ancelotti who
has a year left on his contract. "A lot of time I played this
kind of game, with this pressure - it's not pressure it's
excitement.
"My future is already decided. I don't have a problem about
this game. When I have a contract everything is OK."
Piece of paper or not, his job would be infinitely more
secure if Chelsea, the last team to win at Old Trafford, could
repeat the feat they managed a year ago.
A passage into the semi-finals will depend partly on them
being able to restrict United striker Wayne Rooney who Ancelotti
described as the "most dangerous player in the squad".
"We have to pay attention to his position and performance.
But we don't change our shape, our mentality, our philosophy to
control Rooney. We must play our football," he said.
"We will try to do something special."
He declined to elaborate, chuckling it would not be a
surprise on Tuesday if he showed his hand ahead of the game, but
added that making up for the 2008 defeat on penalties by United
in the Champions League final gave his players extra incentive.
"That memory could be a good motivation for everyone," said
Ancelotti. "Obviously the key is very simple, if you play better
than Manchester United you can win."