Champs League Action Guaranteed in 2006

Another "Classy" goal from Crespo and a "Mind Blowing" goal from Carvalho (Both assisted by Lampard) lead Chelsea to a win over Anderlecht. While Liverpool’s draw with Real Betis has guaranteed Champs League action for both English teams in 2006. Real Betis will be going to the UEFA Cup after finishing 3^rd in the group. Chelsea will be fighting for top spot in the group when they face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on the 6^th of December.

However Jose Mourinho believes it does not matter if Chelsea finish top of Group G. Mourinho said “Now that both teams (Chelsea & Liverpool) have qualified we have the chance to play a good game against Liverpool, the other three games against them in Europe have not been good games but I will be sending a team out to win.”

“You have play every game to try to win and with two English teams it is important for the fans but the consequence of being first or second I don’t see. You could get Real Madrid or Lyon. Why is it different playing Juventus or Bayern Munich? Last year we were first and had to play Bareclona.”

I too was quite surprised Mourinho started with Crespo and kept Drogba on the bench for the full game. Jose’s had 3 reasons for doing so.

“There were three reasons I chose to play him (Crespo) rather than Drogba. Drogba is a target man and Crespo is movement. In a game that I thought would have space and broken play, he could give what we needed.”

“The second reason was I need to motivate players and after the Newcastle win, I decided to play the same team, just replace the injured.”

“The third reason was Drogba had, not an injury, but still a small pain in a knee ligament from playing for the Ivory Coast. I decided to protect him so with the cold and the score 2-0, that is why chose to give Carlton Cole a taste of the Champions League. Drogba will be okay to play at the weekend.”

 

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