Chelsea ready for Champions League challenge - Cech
PA Photos
Petr Cech has his eye on silverware this term
Petr Cech believes Chelsea must use their midweek triumph against Napoli to turn their season into a success as they await the draw of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Cech and his team-mates produced a remarkable 5-4 aggregate win over their Serie A opponents in the round of 16 on Wednesday evening. But the 29-year-old fears the achievement will count for little if they do not perform against the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan or Bayern Munich, who have also qualified for the last eight.
"In the next two weeks we have the chance to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, third place in the Premier League and take a big step in the Champions League quarter-finals," Cech told The Sun newspaper.
"One week ago, everything looked really bad for Chelsea but football is so crazy that it has all changed around. We won against Birmingham and Stoke and then came back from 3-1 down to beat Napoli and, suddenly, it all looks completely different for us.
"On Sunday, we play Leicester in the FA Cup, then we have two huge Premier League games against Manchester City and Tottenham before the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. We are still on track to do what we did in 2009 when we changed the manager in mid-season but, in two weeks' time, this season could look completely different again - in a good way or a bad one."
Cech insists the Blues must regain top form at home if they are to challenge for silverware this campaign as the team looks to revive their season under interim manager Roberto Di Matteo following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.
"We're not playing well and when that happens you can't intimidate opponents," he said. "When you lose so many games at home, then every team that comes to Stamford Bridge believes they can get something out of the game.
"Not so long ago we had an unbeaten home record of four or five years and our opponents felt like they were already 2-0 down before they had even arrived.
"The expectation at this club is always to win trophies. Then you can attract new players and have a better atmosphere. This season, we are still on track to win two trophies but it is far from over and it would be wrong to judge us on just one good win against Napoli."
Fellow veteran Frank Lampard says Chelsea will go into the next round of the Champions League with no fear of Europe's biggest clubs after the confidence boost attained after the victory over Napoli.
"We have to believe and we do believe that we can beat anyone," said Lampard. "It's obvious that Barcelona are probably the strongest team along with Real Madrid.
"But we must carry on because we do have ability in this team, particularly at Stamford Bridge on a night like that. No-one's going to want to come and play here when we've got that about us."
For more on Football, visit ESPNsoccernet.com
related stories on msn
Go on Chels, lets shut those mancs up and prove we are the pride of London and not some second rate team that bullies there way into a lesser competition cos they get knocked out of the Champions League. F**k me Utd and City couldn't even get that right LOL. Oh yeah, and as for that aussie turd that commented on here yesterday and thought he knew so much about SOCCER, our game, the real football and not some aerial ping-pong. Eat my s**t.
You may try to change your life now even it before is well. How about the true love kiss with millionaires? If you really would like to make friends with wealthy beauties and handsomes, If you did want to enjoy another romantic feeling with them, you may join us! Money to them isnot so important, what they need is just the serious relationship! as Chinese old saying goes“No Difficulty Is Insurmountable If One Sets One's Mind On It.”So as long as you treat it seriously, You will get your shares!
Here is the largest and best club for seeking CEOs, pro athletes, doctors, lawyers, investors, entrepreneurs, beauty queens, fitness models, and Hollywood celebrities!! And Charlie Sheen found his true love there in 2007!
The Napoli game brought so many memories back of the Barca game went chelsea were 1-2 down coming back to the bridge for the 2nd leg. Again the team showed the world that they are together and confidence will no doubt take a massive boost now. Can chelsea get anything at Man City? Of course they can!. CMON THE BLUES!
