ANCELOTTI: THE TIME IS RIGHT
On Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti faces what is likely to be the sternest test of his Chelsea team so far. He believes the challenge couldn't come on a better weekend.
The midweek draw in Spain apart, recent results could hardly be better and coupled with the confidence that brings is an injury report more healthy than for many, many months.
All the players are fit and available apart from Jose Bosingwa. The right-back's knee injury, that has kept him out since the defeat at Aston Villa, will be assessed over the next few days and a decision will then be made on the need for surgery.
'We play against a fantastic team, we know very well that it will be a very difficult match,' Ancelotti said on Friday afternoon as he looked ahead to playing the reigning champions.
'It is also a very interesting match and we are happy to play this team in this moment because I think we are doing very well. We are in good condition, we have a very good mental attitude and we are happy to play this game on Sunday. I think we can do our best at this moment.
Some are suggesting the game has also come at a good time because Man United are struggling for form and beatable. Ancelotti dismisses this notion.
'Manchester United has a very good team and like us, they have qualified in the Champions League and are doing very well in the Premier League. Every team is vulnerable, there is not a team that is invincible.'
If either side takes the three points this weekend then it will be portrayed as a significant result in the championship race, but the Chelsea manager is looking beyond just Chelsea and Man United, although not as far down the division as Liverpool.
'I also think Arsenal has a good possibility to arrive in first place,' he said. 'In this moment we cannot think of Liverpool to win because they are behind, but Arsenal has a very good team and a very good chance.'
Ancelotti has also commented on Ron Gourlay's stated aim for Chelsea in the Champions League. The new chief executive this week told the press that the aspiration is to win the Champions League twice in the next five years.
'This is a very good motivation for us,' Ancelotti said. 'I had the luck to win two Champions Leagues in four years. I have one year more to try!'
Man United have ruled Rio Ferdinand (calf) and Ji-sung Park (knee) out of the match. Gary Neville is suspended and the long-term injured Owen Hargreaves is still not ready. Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov are likely to be available, the former having overcome a calf injury that has kept him out since the defeat to Liverpool, the latter having missed this week's Champions League game.
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