LONDON (SE) - Stamford Bridge hosts the biggest game of the Premier League season so far on Sunday afternoon when Manchester United face Chelsea in West London.
Chelsea have enjoyed a superb start to the season, and could stretch their advantage over Sunday's opponents to seven points with a win. However, Roberto Di Matteo's side were given a wake-up call with a 2-1 defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, and midfielder John Obi Mikel is aware that this new-look Chelsea are a work in progress.
"In terms of attacking play we are better but when you look at the other side, the defending part, it's something we still have to work on," admitted Mikel. "We have to play and defend together as a team. It is not all about the creativity. In the English game and in Europe you have to make sure you do the dirty work, too. If we fail to do that, we suffer.
"What happened in Shakhtar is a reminder that we are still a work in progress but it could turn out to be a positive thing because it means that everyone knows we have keep on working on it. I know people will look at what happened and question whether Chelsea are now going to have a bad time.
"It's going to be difficult to face United after that loss. What happened on Tuesday has made this game more intense and put us under more pressure. But we have to think to ourselves that this is what we do for a living, this is why we play football and make sure we get back to the way we can play. We have built a four-point lead over them in the table and want to carry on that momentum. It has been a good thing for us so far in the League and we will look to sustain it."
Manchester United have looked below their best in the opening eight games of the Premier League season, but veteran left-back Patrice Evra believes that the challenge of facing Chelsea will lift his team.
"I think Chelsea is always one of the most important rivals for winning trophies in England," said Evra. "That is why I am really looking forward to this game, because it is a big game and you have to show your big personality to make sure you win. If you win this kind of game, you can go to the next matches with full confidence.
"It's not an easy place to go and their fans are not so nice with us. I remember in the past I was sometimes a little bit frustrated after playing against Chelsea, because we always played well and lost games with a free kick or something like a bad decision. That's why even if we play bad, I want to win against Chelsea."
Manchester United are without Shinji Kagawa (knee), Anders Lindegaard (wrist), Nemanja Vidic (knee), Phil Jones (knee) and Chris Smalling (foot). Chelsea are missing Frank Lampard (calf).
United haven't won in their last ten league visits to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's 22 point haul is the best start to a Premier League season by any team since Chelsea's title winning 2005/06 season. The Blues have won all four games at home this season and are have lost just one of their last 13 league games at home. United have won their last three games away from home, and are the only team in the English top-flight yet to draw a game this season.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar