Carlo Ancelotti admitted Chelsea have no chance of turning around their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United unless they make a vast improvement on Saturday's ugly Barclays Premier League win against Wigan.
The Blues toiled to a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge thanks to an equally-unattractive goal from Florent Malouda. Chelsea must make history to overturn Wednesday night's 1-0 Champions League defeat to United, who have never lost a European tie having won the first leg away from home.
"We have to play better but this is normal," said Chelsea boss Ancelotti, who admitted his side had one eye on Tuesday's game. "To win there, we have to play at our 100%."
Ancelotti's men do have hope, having won 2-1 at United last season in what proved to be a Premier League title decider. However, they were easily beating teams at that point of the campaign, something that can hardly be said about their current run of form.
"Obviously, we have more difficulty compared to last season to score a lot of goals," added Ancelotti, who yesterday denied he needed to win the Champions League to keep his job. We are not able to convert the chances that we create."
Fernando Torres was as guilty as anyone today after missing a golden opportunity to end his now-infamous 12-hour goal drought. The Spaniard came off the bench for the final half-hour and had several opportunities, with the ball even put on a plate for him by Yossi Benayoun.
Malouda's winner was not without controversy, with Torres arguably impeding Latics goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi before the Frenchman struck.
Frustrated Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said: "It's as clear as day that he's got his elbow in his face. I rate (referee) Howard (Webb) so much that I'm extremely disappointed. That was the call of the game."
Martinez, meanwhile, played down Hugo Rodallega's reaction to being substituted, with the midfielder storming down the tunnel.
"I'm pleased about that," Martinez insisted. "Hugo should want to stay on because we're fighting for our lives. He's been respectful to his team-mates."
Source: PA
