Ancelotti wants improvements

15 September 2009 22:50
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits there is room for improvement after watching his side stutter to a 1-0 win over Porto on his UEFA Champions League debut with the Blues.[LNB] The former AC Milan boss has been mandated with the task of winning the European Cup after being appointed by club owner Roman Abramovich in the summer.[LNB]But Ancelotti, a winner on the continent's grandest competition as a player and manager at the San Siro, did not see his side give a clear indication of his credentials.[LNB]A second-half goal from Nicolas Anelka secured three points against Porto in Group D, but Chelsea were a shadow of the side which has a 100 per cent record in this season's Premier League.[LNB]Ancelotti is, therefore, relieved to have earned the win at a rain-swept Stamford Bridge, pointing to a gruelling, late victory at Stoke last Saturday as a reason for a below-par midweek performance. [LNB]He told Sky Sports: "We know we could do better but it was a difficult night because Porto played very well at the end of the match.[LNB]Drogba absence"We were a bit tired at the end, but it was an important result.[LNB]"We have to control more of the game when we have the advantage. We are a little bit tired. We had a very strong match last Saturday. [LNB]"It is important to win and start well in the group. Porto is the best team in this group (other than Chelsea). It is a good result."[LNB]Chelsea were without Didier Drogba, with the star striker suspended following his outburst in the wake last season's semi-final heartbreak against Barcelona, and the Ivory Coast international's presence was missed in attack.[LNB]Ancelotti, though, was pleased with the performance of Anelka, who was dropped to the bench at Stoke, and Salomon Kalou. [LNB]The Chelsea boss said: "Didier is an important player, but Anelka scored the goal and Kalou did a very good job.[LNB]Controversial"Anelka is a good player, a fantastic striker. He can play without Didier and with Didier. He has no problem."[LNB]Meanwhile midfielder Frank Lampard also confesses Chelsea were not at their best on Tuesday.[LNB]"It was a great result, we weren't at our best tonight but it was a difficult night and we got the win," he said.[LNB]"You can't always play top, top football. The ball was skidding about, some of our passing went astray, but we've got to stay strong and win the game, and that's what we did."[LNB]Asked whether Chelsea felt additional motivation to succeed in Europe following the controversial defeat to Barca, Lampard said: "Every year is different, and every year we go into it we want to win it. There's no year we want it more than any other.[LNB]"We wanted it last year badly, when we nearly got to the final, and this year we want it badly again."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports