Source: FOOTYMAD
'Challenging' start excites Di Matteo
Stamford Bridge trip doesn't faze former Chelsea ace Roberto Di Matteo reviewed Albion’s fixture list for the 2010/2011 season with mixed emotions after it was released this morning. In his first season as a Premier League boss the former MK Dons chief will return to Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season. The former Chelsea midfielder won two FA Cups with the Blues and admitted his excitement at returning on the first possible occasion with the Baggies. Albion will face the dreaded ‘top-four’ teams during their first away fixtures after clinching promotion back to the top flight last term. However, instead of fearing the challenge ahead, Di Matteo insists his players and coaching staff should fully prepare themselves for the task ahead as they travel to grounds such as The Emirates and Old Trafford. "It's certainly a challenging start!" joked the Italian. "But having the chance to play at grounds like Stamford Bridge, Anfield, the Emirates Stadium and Old Trafford is exactly what we battled so hard for last season. "It will be the coaching staff's job to get the players as best prepared as possible for the challenges that lie ahead. "We'll certainly need to hit the ground running as opening fixtures don't come much tougher than Chelsea away. "They finished last season with an 8-0 win and have got top quality throughout their squad, but we will go there with a plan with a view to giving them a real game. "Of course, going back to Stamford Bridge will be a special occasion for Eddie, Ade and I due to the long years we spent there. "But we will all be fully focussed on one thing - getting a result for Albion."
