Chelsea keen to avoid all-English tie

Chelsea keen to avoid all-English tie
06.03.08

Having lost to Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in two of the last three seasons it is perhaps unsurprising that Chelsea FC's players spoke as one in their hope that next week's draw for the last eight keeps them apart from their Premier League rivals.

Kalou optimistic
A 3-0 defeat of Olympiacos CFP left Avram Grant's men looking ahead with confidence and Salomon Kalou, who scored his first-ever UEFA Champions League goal in tapping home the third, believes they have the team to go on and lift the trophy for the first time. "It's no point talking about it, we have to deliver on the pitch, but if we can do that then we can go through to the final," said the Ivory Coast striker. "I think it would be better to keep the English teams for later in the competition – it's better to meet another opponent at the next stage."

Lampard resolute
Frank Lampard, who laid on the night's early opener for Michael Ballack before slotting home the second himself, believes the quality of Chelsea's performance as they extended their run of unbeaten games at Stamford Bridge to 60 in all competitons, should enhance their belief that they can take on any of the remaining seven contenders. Lampard said: "All the games in the quarter-finals will be tough so we'll have to sit back and wait for the draw and hope that whoever we get we are able to perform like we did tonight because on that form we can beat anyone."

Useful pairing
The ease with which Lampard and Ballack dovetailed was the perfect response to those who say the pair of outstanding midfielders cannot operate in tandem. "I think that's three times we've played together this season and every time it's worked pretty well," added the England international. "Any talk like that is just people trying to make an issue when there isn't one. I feel great, my form has been good all season and I've come back very fresh after the two injuries I've had. Now I'm looking forward to the last part of the season."

English success
John Terry believes that the appearance of three Premier League sides – it will become four should Liverpool FC successfully defend their 2-0 advantage away to FC Internazionale Milano next week – is testament to the calibre of the English game. "They are all great sides who can pass the ball and mix and match it with any team in the world," he said. "Hopefully we can avoid them next time but if we are drawn together we have to beat them. We've missed out in this competition on a few occasions and we want to make the final step and get our hands on the trophy."

Source:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=668886.html