Ancelotti’s thoughts turning to Anfield
Chelsea, now one point clear with a significantly better goal difference, can clinch the title ahead of Manchester United if they win on Merseyside next week and their rivals fail to follow suit against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
It is a mouthwatering prospect for fans of the London club who haven’t seen their team crowned champions since 2006. And although the championship could still go to the final day, when Chelsea play at home to Wigan and United host Stoke, the Blues are now strong favourites to break Alex Ferguson’s three-year grip on the trophy.
Certainly their manager was looking relaxed and confident last night after a 7-0 victory over Stoke that came just 24 hours after United temporarily took first place with a win over Spurs at Old Trafford.
Ancelotti said: “The most important thing is the destiny is in our hands. I am very calm, very quiet because our destiny is ours. We are very close.
“At Anfield we have to play against a strong team, a fantastic team. They are involved in the race for fourth place and it will be a very difficult match for both teams. But we are ready. Whatever happens I know if I win two games we are champions.”
Ancelotti admits he expects United to push his team all the way to the final day but has confidence in his side after a hugely impressive performance at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “It was an important game. We needed to come back to the top of the league after United’s win, and we played very well.
“There was a bit of pressure on us before the game but the team were focused and put in a fantastic performance. This is a good message for us. We needed a good reaction after the defeat at Tottenham last week and we did that. This is a good message for us, no one else.
“I think United will be able to win their games. They have Sunderland and Stoke, and every game is a different story, but our aim is to win two games.
“I know that, if we win two games, we are champions. I hope we play against Liverpool like we played today.
“They will want to fight against us to reach fourth. That’s a very important position for the future of their club.”
If the Blues are to succeed, they will need to hold their nerve as impressively as their manager – who chose not to watch United’s victory over Tottenham on Saturday and smiled at the thought of Alex Ferguson digesting the news of Chelsea’s response a day later.
“I didn’t watch, I walked in the park yesterday instead,” he said. “I don’t know what Sir Alex Ferguson did. Maybe he went to see a movie today!”
It sounds unlikely, but even if he did then, Ferguson has some uncomfortable viewing waiting for him on his return.
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