FC Kobenhavn vs Chelsea FC Preview - Ancelotti: I won't quit Blues

Posted Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by PA

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he will never quit Chelsea, claiming Roman Abramovich must decide whether or not he should be sacked.

Ancelotti is under more pressure than ever at Stamford Bridge following Saturday's shock FA Cup defeat to Everton.

It left Chelsea's season in real danger of unravelling completely, with the Barclays Premier League title all but surrendered and Champions League qualification hanging in the balance.

Their only remaining hope of silverware is also the latter competition, which they resume on Tuesday night when they visit FC Copenhagen in the last 16.

Defeat in that tie would surely test billionaire owner Abramovich's patience to what could be breaking point.

But even if the unthinkable were to happen, manager Ancelotti will not jump before he is pushed.

Asked if he would ever consider resigning, the Italian said: "No, not me.

"I don't have to consider my position. It is the owner that has to consider my position, not myself."

Ancelotti enjoyed the backing of Abramovich at the end of 2010 after overseeing the club's worst run in the league for almost 15 years.

A mini-revival followed but the past fortnight has witnessed another calamitous run of results.

Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked two years ago when Abramovich began to fear Champions League qualification would not be achieved and Chelsea are in an even worse position now, lying fifth in the Premier League.

Winning the double in his maiden season has arguably bought Ancelotti the opportunity to try to end the club's long wait for Champions League glory.

And he maintains that, despite recent results, fulfilling Abramovich's long-held dream is still possible.

"The Champions League is not easy, but it will bring a lot of motivation for every one of us," said the Italian, who acknowledged his job would ultimately depend on improving Chelsea's flagging fortunes.

"We have to have the right pressure. We have to play against Copenhagen. We have 180 minutes to win this game."

He added boldly: "Chelsea won't go out against Copenhagen. I think we have the possibility to win against Copenhagen."

Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa will all start for the Blues.

None of the quartet were in the XI for Saturday's shock FA Cup penalty shootout defeat to Everton, with Torres cup-tied, Bosingwa injured and Anelka and Essien on the bench.

David Luiz is cup-tied for the match at the Parken Stadium, while Alex (knee) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) are still sidelined.

FC Copenhagen's players are uber-confident of piling on the misery for Chelsea.

Head coach Stale Solbakken revealed the more "daft" members of his squad reckoned they were a better team than the Barclays Premier League champions.

"It's been the longest preparation ever," declared a relaxed Solbakken.

"Since January 10, we have been preparing for this game and this game only.

"Maybe we haven't had the opposition we've needed to be at our best level, but the players are in good shape and confident.

"Some of my players are so daft that they think they're a better side than Chelsea. Maybe I should be talking them down a bit.

"Some have only lost one or two games playing in this side, so they think it's easy. Confidence is very high in the team."

He added: "Maybe Chelsea's 120 minutes in the FA Cup (against Everton) can even things out a bit. It'll be in their legs.

"If it's one-way traffic, I'd be very surprised."

Despite the mind games, Solbakken was wary of a Chelsea side whose biggest crime in their last few matches has been missing gilt-edged chances.

He said of the Liverpool defeat that kick-started the bad run: "As a Liverpool fan, it's hard to beat them, with `King' Kenny (Dalglish) back."

Insisting Chelsea had completely outplayed Fulham and Everton in their subsequent games, he added: "It's better to meet them now than in September, but their results are weaker than their performances. They haven't been that bad."

But he added, tellingly: "It's not been scary, either."

The lack of fear extends to keeping quiet £50million man Torres, who returns after being cup-tied against Everton.

"He was a bit unlucky against Fulham because he could have scored two," Solbakken said of the misfiring striker.

"Everyone knows he's a match-winner, and we know he could be, but we're ready for him."