Source: Daily_Mail
History weighs down Hiddink as Ranieri prepares for his Chelsea return
Guus Hiddink admits time is not on his side but at least he was there, in Moscow, to witness the source of the emotion which is the driving force behind Chelsea'[LNB]s current European campaign.As Russia manager, Hiddink looked on from the Luzhniki Stadium's executive seats last May as John Terry missed his crucial penalty and the European Cup eluded Roman Abramovich.Now the Dutchman sits at Chelsea's controls and, only 10 days after taking the job, must prepare to face Juventus in a game he dare not lose if the pain of last year's defeat to Manchester United is to be eradicated. [LNB] Serious stuff: A straight-faced Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink watches over a training session at Stamford Bridge[LNB]'It would be easy for me to say I need three or four weeks to observe the team and then start working but there's no time,' said Hiddink. 'That would give an excuse to myself and the team not to perform at 100 per cent and it is not an aspect of top-level sport to offer excuses. 'We have to do it in reduced time, a pressurised time, but we have to do it. We must not give ourselves an excuse. If we do, there's a tendency to go a little bit less.' Drogba determined to make amends for Moscow misery by winning Champions League for Chelsea [LNB]England 3 Italy 0! Wenger backs his Gunners to join United and Chelsea in sinking Serie A trio [LNB]Cech warns: It's not about Ranieri coming home but Chelsea beating Juve [LNB]REVEALED: The only English side to be unbeaten against Italian opposition in the Champions League[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB] This is exactly the business-like tone which prompted Frank Lampard to suggest Hiddink had imposed an element of fear upon the Chelsea squad since replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari. [LNB] 'Maybe that was his first impression because my facial expression can be a bit dark and does not reflect my mind,' said Hiddink. 'I am very serious about what needs to be done in the dressing room but I don't like to bring fear. Rather, some principles of modern football. That's what we emphasised last week.[LNB] 'Maybe I'll try to smile a little bit more. We can be angry, of course, and very serious, but not as a total attitude.' [LNB][LNB] Tinkerman returns: Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri with Alessandro Del Piero before tonight's match[LNB]Juventus, second in Italy's Serie A, present a stern enough test tonight. Then there is the distraction of Claudio Ranieri's return, an occasion sure to stir the sentiments of some in the dressing room as well as in the stands. 'His teams have enormous tactical discipline,' said the Chelsea boss. 'He knows how to cope with the press and the pressure. He is very intelligent. He is a gentleman coach.' It was left to Lampard to offer a glimpse of what the Italian means to some of the players who remain at Stamford Bridge, including him and captain Terry. 'Everyone respects the way he carried himself through his time here, particularly at the end,' said Lampard. 'It will be great to see him again. He should take credit for what he did here. 'He elevated John Terry to captain and now he's one of the best in the world. He spent £11million on me at a time when it seemed a lot of money and helped me develop. He opened my eyes to everything. 'I don't know if he was harshly treated. I don't think so. He enjoyed his time at Chelsea and saw the transition of the club from a good team who weren't challenging for the title to one that was. [LNB] Old times: Ranieri with Frank Lampard in their time together at Chelsea[LNB]'Now he's doing a great job at Juventus. Good luck to him. I don't think he's the kind of man who would look back and worry about those kinds of things.' Ranieri watched last season's Champions League final from his home in Turin and shared Terry's heartache when United won the penalty shoot-out. Last night, he strode back into Stamford Bridge for a training session, brimming with his usual good humour and insisting his chief aim was to take home a positive result rather than more cosy memories. Juventus have not won a two-legged knock-out tie against English opposition since they beat Manchester United in the European Cup-winners' Cup in 1984, but if they avoid defeat tonight they will fancy their chances in Turin. [LNB] No excuses: Hiddink will not use his limited time with the team as an excuse if Chelsea fail to overcome Juventus[LNB] Chelsea have proved vulnerable away from home in Europe recently and Ranieri knows better than most precisely how much Abramovich wants to win this competition. Last season's near miss only intensifies the desire. 'You can't help having that in the back of your mind,' admits Lampard. 'There is an added incentive because of the manner in which we came so close last year. You want to go back and actually win it. 'You need that little bit of luck to succeed but we're very determined. After last year, of course we want to win the Champions League.' Hiddink has experienced the feeling, albeit 21 years ago, when he led PSV Eindhoven to the European Cup. He reached the last four in 2005, during his second spell with PSV, before losing on away goals to AC Milan. 'You know you are among the elite clubs if you are still in the Champions League after the winter,' said Hiddink. 'It gets exciting when April and May are coming. That's what a club like this needs to be. For me, personally, it's very exciting but I'm in this with the team and it's a very exciting competition for us all.' Ricardo Carvalho and Deco both have hamstring injuries which rule them out against Juventus. Michael Essien, out all season with a knee injury, trained with the first team last night. He is still not ready to play but could be fit for the quarter-finals if Chelsea make it through.[LNB] Drogba determined to make amends for Moscow misery by winning Champions League for Chelsea [LNB]England 3 Italy 0! Wenger backs his Gunners to join United and Chelsea in sinking Serie A trio [LNB]Cech warns: It's not about Ranieri coming home but Chelsea beating Juve [LNB]REVEALED: The only English side to be unbeaten against Italian opposition in the Champions League[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
