Jose eyes top spot
05 Dec 2006 - 10:02:42
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- Jose eyes top spot
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told his side they cannot afford to relax when they play Levski Sofia on Tuesday as he is determined to finish top of their Champions League group.
The Blues have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition but could be overtaken by Werder Bremen if the Bundesliga side beat Barcelona.
"The good thing is the first team in the group plays the second game at home in the next round," said Mourinho. "This game is not one where we can relax because we need a result.
"I will give a rest to Claude Makelele because he needs that, John Terry is suspended and Ashley Cole will be on the bench but after that I will try and play with my best team.
"The motivation for us is to finish top. We know if we lose the game we are not first in the group. We know if Werder Bremen win, we need to win to be first in the group.
"Because we won't know how the game in Barcelona will end, we have to think of all possibilities. We must win the game to finish top.
"If you go to the next stage of the Champions League you have big matches coming - top level football.
"If a team like Manchester United or Arsenal goes to the UEFA Cup - it is an easy competition to play.
"So, from the Chelsea point of view thinking about the Premiership, it would be better for us if they both qualify and go through."