Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea boss Carlo fears Champions League reunions with AC Milan
Carlo Ancelotti is praying that Chelsea avoid a meeting with one of the Milan clubs in the Champions League. [LNB]Chelsea topped Group B in the group stages to make it through to the last 16 and manager Ancelotti wants no reunions in Italy when the draw is made for the next round.[LNB]Speaking about the prospect of a return to the San Siro - or even a visit from Inter's former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho - former AC Milan boss Ancelotti said: 'I prefer to avoid this draw (against a Milan club). [LNB] Wary: Carlo Ancelotti is hoping Chelsea and Michael Essien (above) avoid Italian sides when the draw is made for the first Champions League knockout stage[LNB]'Against Milan, it could be an emotional game for me. Inter, I consider them the best team in their pool.' [LNB] Chelsea finished their Champions League group fixtutes badly with a 2-2 draw with Apoel Nicosia. [LNB]But Ancelotti denied claims that he lost his temper with his playersafter the match. 'Are you worried if I am angry' he joked when askedwhether he blew his top. 'I was unhappy. But I don't need to use a whipwith the players. I know their professionalism.[LNB]'But, in every game, we need to play with intensity. I have seen agood reaction since then. Against Everton, we will be strong for 90minutes. [LNB] [LNB]Old pals: Ancelotti (back left) with then AC Milan colleagues (left-right, clockwise) Kaka, Gennaro Gattuso, Paolo Maldini and Filippo Inzaghi [LNB]'I wasn't disappointed with Mikel, who made a mistake. He playedvery well for the 90 minutes. If you do that - but you make a mistake -it's no problem.[LNB]'I don't shout. I don't like to shout. When someone shouts at me, I close my ears and don't listen. I prefer to speak calmly.'[LNB]His attitude will please his Chelsea employers, considering thestories that have been leaked this week about bust-ups at Stoke and QPRbetween managers and players. [LNB]Ancelotti said: 'I don't know what happens in other dressing rooms.I want to maintain good relationships and speak with my players. It'snot good to have a bad reaction.[LNB]'I want a man-to-man relationship. I have a responsibility. I want to give respect and I want to have respect.'[LNB]He is unconcerned that it is Christmas party season, saying that hetrusts his players. 'Christmas is an important moment,' he said. 'Everyman can do what he wants to do. Christmas parties are no problem.[LNB] Best player: Ancelotti hailed Gael Kakuta's performance against Apoel Nicosia[LNB] 'We will have a lunch here on December 22 to stay together, It's notonly the players, it's also the staff at our Cobham training ground.'[LNB]Looking ahead to Saturday's home game against Everton, the Chelseamanager added: 'Everton have had a lot of problems with injuries. [LNB]'But they have very good players - also young players - and a goodcoach (David Moyes). They will try to play with counter-attacks. Wehave to play quick, fast and put the pressure on them.'[LNB]Ancelotti added that he has no qualms about Ghana checking on thefitness of Michael Essien - ruled out for a month with a hamstringinjury - ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. [LNB]'If they want to see, it's no problem,' said Ancelotti, who alsorevealed that Deco is ruled out of the Everton game for personalreasons.[LNB] Ribery admits he'd have better chance of Champions League glory at ChelseaGhana demand Essien check-up amid Africa Cup of Nations fitness fearsCHELSEA FC
