Didier Drogba keeps calm Didier Drogba will have to fight hard to control his emotions when he returns to Stamford Bridge for Galatasarays Champions League last-16 second leg against Chelsea, the Ivorian said on the eve of Tuesdays match. The 36-year-old striker ended a glittering eight-year career with the London club by scoring the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League shootout victory over Bayern Munich in the final at the Allianz Arena. After a hesitant start to Galatasarays pre-match news conference, Drogba had the reporters in stitches. Ill ask myself the first question, he said. Didier, how do you feel about returning to Stamford Bridge?. Well, Im really happy to come back and to see some familiar faces for a big game in a big competition. Its very difficult to play against Chelsea but its not going to be difficult for me to put myself in competition with them because now I belong to Galatasaray and I need to be professional, said Drogba. Of course there will be emotion playing against my ex-teammates, like there was in the first leg, he added in reference to the opening match in Istanbul that ended in a 1-1 draw. The big, powerful centre forward was once voted the best player in Chelseas history and he said he did not know how he would react if he scored a goal on Tuesday. With all the respect I have for the club, the fans and the players, I might not celebrate if I score but if we win Ill be happy, said Drogba. I think to leave Chelsea on the high that I did, if I could do it again I would do it the same way, but Im really happy at Galatasaray and I will be professional for this game tomorrow because for me its an important one. Drogba also won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups at Chelsea, scoring 157 goals in 341 appearances between 2004-12. Ive nothing to prove to this club, everything I had to prove I think I did it with Chelsea, said the Ivorian. I just want to win this game and qualify. There is nothing personal against anyone here, there never will be. Fernando Torres gave Chelsea an early lead in Istanbul but Galatasaray equalised through Aurelien Chedjou to leave the tie delicately balanced in Chelseas favour. I think we had a lot of respect for Chelsea in the first 20 minutes and probably we were so nervous for that game, said coach Roberto Mancini. The important thing tomorrow will be the mentally we have when we start the game, the attitude we have. Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe but in football you never say never. Anything can happen if you believe in yourself, added Mancini. We want to do a good job. It will be tough because they are better than us but we want to try. Mancini said he would treat opposite number Jose Mourinho if Galatasaray caused an upset by knocking out Chelsea. If we win Ill take him out for dinner and Ill pay, said the Italian
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 19:37:17 +0000
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