Jose eyes winning start
18 Sep 2007 - 08:10:01
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has backed his side to make a major impact in this season's Champions League, despite starting the competition with a number of injury problems.
The Blues will go into their Group B opener against Rosenborg shorn of the services of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho, Claudio Pizaaro and Wayne Bridge.
However, Mourinho still thinks his Blues squad is strong enough to get off to a winning start.
He commented: "Every time we start the Champions League, especially at home, every team has the ambition to win it. I think it is very important to start the group with a victory, especially at home.
"It is important to start well or, if not, the risk of making a mistake and being punished is bigger. If the team doesn't want to be under pressure and wants to go quietly to the next phase, it is important to win.
"Of course we have respect for our opponents, but we think we are a better team. They are a well-organised team and they know what they are doing on the pitch.
"The team I saw was well organised defensively with three good attacking players. I am waiting for a team that will try to be compact, solid and defend well. They will also try to punish us on the counter-attack.
"In football everything is possible, but I believe in my players and Chelsea has the conditions and quality to qualify for the last 16."