Wily Blues boss Ancelotti relishing London derby
But the Italian coach is relishing the prospect of his first London ‘derby’ when Chelsea travel to Fulham tomorrow.
Ancelotti will also pit his managerial wits against an old friend in Roy Hodgson and the Chelsea coach has enough respect for his Fulham counterpart to know he faces another difficult away encounter.
“It is normal at the start of the season to have a special result like Burnley because some teams are not in the best condition,” said Ancelotti.
“Burnley had an unbelievable result. I saw the game and they worked very hard and were very strong.
“The fans went crazy after the match. I have learned in three matches that it is very difficult in every game in England.
“To play away from home is not easy. The season is very long and such a result can happen to us. We don’t think about other problems though, we are concentrating on our work.
“I think Manchester United will be a very big opponent for us in the season. Their play has not changed, they play the same way.
“But to be at the top of the list of the championship is not bad. It is better to stay at the top than to be down.”
The two goals conceded by Chelsea so far have come via fluke deflections into the path of opposing players and as a result, Ancelotti is not unduly concerned.
“They were very lucky goals against Hull and Sunderland,” said Ancelotti. “It was important for us to show a good reaction but it would be better to score before they do.”
Fulham earned a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea last season and even without striker Andrew Johnson, injured in Thursday night’s Europa Cup win over Amkar Perm, the Cottagers will represent a stern task for the Blues.
Johnson suffered a dislocated collarbone and will be out for up to eight weeks.
Hodgson is furious at the way Johnson was blatantly bodychecked by Dmitry Belorukov and Ancelotti was also critical of the Russian player.
“I know very well how to prepare for ‘derby’ games,” Ancelotti.
“They are not normal. I saw Fulham on Thursday night. I know Roy Hodgson very well because he trained in Italy. When he trained the national team of Switzerland I stayed with him for a week to study his training.
“He likes to have a very good defensive organisation. His team played very well.”
Hodgson said he will give fitness tests to Erik Nevland (foot) and Dickson Etuhu (groin) after they were hurt in the same game while Toni Kallio is ruled out with an Achilles injury.
Hodgson also revealed he expects the loan deal to bring Jonathan Greening to Fulham to be finalised.
The West Brom midfielder has passed his medical at the London club, but Hodgson said a few details needed to ironed out before the one-year deal could be finalised.
“He (Greening) has had his medical but there are some negotiations carrying on with his agent and the chief executive (Alistair Mackintosh),” Hodgson explained.
“They are meeting now so I’m presuming that everything will be sorted out regarding the player’s contract and the agent’s fees.”
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