Villas-Boas backs Blues to last

25 September 2011 13:35

Andre Villas-Boas is confident Chelsea will not pay the price for playing for two gruelling hours with 10 men in the past week when they visit Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Blues will travel to Spain on Tuesday having spent 124 of their last 210 minutes on the field with a man disadvantage, hardly ideal preparation for what is expected to be the toughest of their Group E assignments.

"It should be okay and nothing to worry about," Villas-Boas said.

"It's also early beginnings in the league."

Yet, the Portuguese conceded the importance of freshening up his side for Saturday's victory over Swansea.

"I think the decisions were mainly based on the fact that we played 120 minutes on Wednesday," he said.

"We sent nine players fresh to the pitch that didn't play on Wednesday and I think this has an impact.

"It's important to have squad rotation."

Source: PA