Cech wants Champion display against Spartak
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
LONDON, Nov 2 (AFP): Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech wants his side to qualify for the Champions League last 16 at the first opportunity against Spartak Moscow at Stamford Bridge Wednesday so as to ease the pressure on the Blues' Premier League title defence.
Victory at their west London home against Russian club Spartak, a side they beat 2-0 in Moscow last month, would see Chelsea maintain their 100 percent record in Group F and reach the second round of the Champions League with a couple of games to spare.
That would be especially helpful ahead of domestic encounters against Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal - the other teams that finished in English football's top four last term - with Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti then having the option of resting key players from 'meaningless' European ties.
Chelsea are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League and Cech said: "We want to beat Spartak Moscow, qualify from the Champions League group and concentrate on the league.
Victory at their west London home against Russian club Spartak, a side they beat 2-0 in Moscow last month, would see Chelsea maintain their 100 percent record in Group F and reach the second round of the Champions League with a couple of games to spare.
That would be especially helpful ahead of domestic encounters against Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal - the other teams that finished in English football's top four last term - with Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti then having the option of resting key players from 'meaningless' European ties.
Chelsea are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League and Cech said: "We want to beat Spartak Moscow, qualify from the Champions League group and concentrate on the league.