Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Rafa comments rile Drogba

30 Apr 2008 - 11:09:59

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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba claims he has lost respect for Rafael Benitez following the Liverpool manager's accusations that he cheats.

Benitez stoked up the war of words between the two clubs ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg meeting at Stamford Bridge after claiming Drogba dives to win decisions from referees.

Blues boss Avram Grant has already launched a staunch defence of the Ivory Coast striker and now Drogba has waded into the affair by hitting back at Benitez.

"Perhaps he is looking for something to destabilise us before the match," Drogba told L'Equipe.

"Benitez was a manager I respected a lot. Until now, I found him not only very competent but also classy.

"But he has really disappointed me here. His words demonstrate a weakness. A top manager would never go so low to attack a player.

"Maybe he should concentrate on his own team's game and if he wants me to stay on my feet, maybe he should tell his defenders to stop hitting me."

Meanwhile, Drogba has accused the Reds defence of heavy-handed tactics during last week's first leg which finished in a 1-1 stalemate at Anfield.

"In the first leg, (Jamie) Carragher and the other one (Martin Skrtel) didn't stop. And not just with me. I finished the match with bruises everywhere," he continued.

"Last year, I broke a rib against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. Strangely, that escapes the statistics of Benitez.

"It will not affect me. If I fall, I will always get up. The best response I can give will be on the pitch."