Carlo questions Nicosia pitch

30 September 2009 22:39
// 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 boss Carlo Ancelotti questioned the quality of the GS Pancypria Stadium pitch after his side secured a narrow victory over Apoel Nicosia.[LNB] Nicolas Anelka's first-half strike was the only goal of the game as the Blues struggled to create chances and at times suffered relentless pressure from the home side.[LNB]After losing their first game of the season against Wigan at the weekend, question marks over Chelsea's form will undoubtedly arise as they prepare to face Liverpool this weekend. [LNB]However, Ancelotti is unconcerned by the performance and highlighted the condition of the pitch as his side scrambled their second 1-0 win in as many games in UEFA Champions League Group D.[LNB]"I think we started good, we played very well," Ancelotti told Sky Sports. [LNB]"We scored a goal in the first half and we had good control of the game.[LNB]"Second half it was difficult. We tried to do possession ball but the pitch was not good and we lost a lot of passes and the end of the match was difficult for us.[LNB]"But we kept good concentration and we won an important match.[LNB]"I don't want to find an excuse but the pitch was not good, I think that is an objective thing."[LNB]FormAncelotti rebuffed suggestions that his side are heading into the vital weekend clash with title rivals Liverpool in poor form, insisting the performance will not affect them.[LNB]"For sure we have to do better next time than this," he said. "For sure we will play better, but every game is a different story."[LNB]Chelsea were at times restricted to long-range efforts with both Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard guilty of some wayward shooting as they searched for a second goal.[LNB]Lampard has now gone eight games without a goal, a drought by his normally high standards, but Ancelotti is again unconcerned and is happy with his contribution to the team.[LNB]"I'm not worried because Lampard will score (eventually) and he is working hard for the team, for me it is important this."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports