UCL ~ Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo says he is not motivated by revenge as his Schalke side prepare to host the Blues in the Champions League. Di Matteo, 44, won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 but was sacked six months later. I spent many years there, but this is no time for sentimentalities, I want to beat Chelsea, he said. Tomorrow we will focus on our work, nothing else. I have no thoughts of revenge. Di Matteo made 175 appearances for the Blues between 1996 and 2002 - winning the FA Cup twice - before his short stint as manager two years ago. He took charge of Schalke last month and has a 100% home record. The German side can draw level on points with Group G leaders Chelsea with victory on Tuesday. Honestly, I am not thinking about 2012 that much. I am a person who looks forward, not backwards, I live in the present even though lots of people keep reminding me of that final, Di Matteo said. Chelsea have not lost a competitive game this season and have huge quality in their squad. Everything must click for us, we have to have a super day to beat them. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to discuss Di Matteo, with his focus on qualifying for the knockout stage and avoiding the Europa League. While Liverpool and Manchester City have struggled in their Champions League groups this season, two points from Chelseas final two games will ensure a place in the last 16. If we lose two matches we will end up in the Europa League, Mourinho, 51, said. So we have two matches to qualify, but we have so many matches in December, if we can avoid the pressure of a final match it would be very good for us. If we dont, we have the last game against Sporting Lisbon to do it. To go to the Europa League would be very bad. Evolution is better when you play in the best competitions against the best teams. #ILORES
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 14:49:58 +0000
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