Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti wants his side to take a leaf out of Liverpool's book and give Manchester United's midfield no time to settle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Liverpool defeated United at Anfield two weeks ago with a performance full of gritty determination and a high work-rate and now Ancelotti - whose side lead United by two points at the top of the Barclays Premier League - claims the Blues must match Liverpool's workmanlike ethic in order to overcome Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
"Liverpool played a fantastic match, a strong match, and put a lot of pressure on the pitch," said Ancelotti. "That's why they won. They didn't give United any possibility to play like they want to play. It was a good lesson for us because Manchester can suffer when there's pressure on their midfielders."
He added: "I don't want to play against other team's weaknesses. We want to put our own qualities on the pitch.
"He (Ferguson) did a fantastic job with this team. For a coach to stay such a long time with one team is very difficult, not only in England but everywhere.
"In Italy it would be impossible, for sure. He's a very important man for the history of this club. United have a fantastic history and Ferguson is one of the most important men in this history."
Ancelotti is no stranger to beating Ferguson, including a second-leg victory against United with AC Milan in the Champions League in 2007.
"There was a particular atmosphere created after the first match because we lost the first leg in the last minute at United and I think that goal forced my team to play in a more attacking style from the start of the game," explained Ancelotti.
"At the same time, United thought about defending. After 15 minutes we were 2-0 up. We created a particular atmosphere.
"The best thing is to maintain a balance. They have a good defence but also fantastic strikers. Wayne Rooney is one of the most intelligent strikers in the world, so we have to think about him. He has the quality to play everywhere."
Comment 1 - 18 of 18
CHELSEA 4 EVER
Boss Ancelotti guess right n we came out wit d reall BLUE Colour n GOD PASS DEVIL we got d 3 point dat matters. ANCELOTI GOD B WIT U N UR BOYS. I WISH MIKEL QUICK RECOVERY. HAPPY 2 c him on d bench. we all love u MIKEL n pray dat Almighty GOD is wit u. NO MINE THEM. UR GOD PASS THEM.
man ure forever, you are a plum !
your lot got a job to beat an egg, let alone "anybody" !!
David, well said, we can beat anybody, yes we arnt as strong as last season but right Man U off at your peril!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
I would say that in regards of the players we all sign we all make mistakes regardless of how good a manager you are or not , but then the main thing is achieving success and I dont think anyone can argue that fergie has been the most successful manager in the history of football with what he has achieved! And yes today is no illusion that today will be an extremely tough game, chelsea do look the complete article this season but todays match will not prove who wins the league , it will be the two month period of Jan and Feb that proves who will be champions ! And yes we can win at chelsea today , nothing is ever beyond us !
Raphael,
Hargreaves was our best player 2007/2008 and when he comes back he will be our best player again, Injuries happen he is now over it so watch this space.
By the way you are a fecking plonker
Raphael,
Hargreaves is class, he will be a driving force for UTD & England by the new year.
This will be a Fletcher day, a Giggs day, A RED day!
nice 3 points for utd when you beat chelsea
wrong suggestions
Raphael you idiot, how can any of Fergies signings be a waste of money, Sir ALex is the most successful manager in Britain, nobody ever will top what he has acheived, if you want to say who wastes money then try Benitez, 73 players at over 230 million pounds and still he is nowhere near winning the holy grail that all scousers crave, top four finish he is promising, yeah right they better get their fingers out then it is a realistic possibility that Liverpool wont finish in the Champions league places.
Another Brain dead Scouser.xx
By sunday evening Arsenal will be 2nd and Chelsea first. United's slide starts now.
Three easy points if Chelsea do what we did to United.They will just make it look easier and will score more than 2 aswell.
Manager Carlo, so you want to dig on our last blunder with Liverpool to trash us impossible. I can see you are concentrating too much on the middle but our midfielders are up to the task, we are equally prepared for the game and we will surprise you. remembeer Arsenal saw us as their equals couple of seasons back ad now you kwon where they are, if you too want to follow suit WELCOME GUY. JUST WAIT FOR TOMORROW!!!!!!
italian big mouth....you think you can get away with any topy this season?never,because all belongs to united
Whether or not you're right about his performances you are factually incorrect about everything else. He joined Utd 2 years ago for £17 million and has made 37 appearances. How about making a comment on the article instead?
T*$T, Look how many he got right to how many he got wrong!! Cantona for 1m Ronaldo 16m to name a couple!!
bayern munich knew what they were doing when they sold hargraves to man utd !
it did not make utd any stronger!
in the 3 years he`s been there i think he`s not played more than 10 games for them !
another fergie 20 million + signing that went wrong
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