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Valencia captain Albelda says ´let battle commence´
VALENCIA (AFP) - Valencia captain David Albelda laid down the gauntlet and said that his team are prepared to meet Chelsea blow-for-blow in their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.
The Spanish international midfielder, who is no shrinking violet when it comes to making a crunching tackle or two, acknowledged at a press conference on Monday that Chelsea will have come prepared to throw everything at Valencia.
The two teams drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday, David Silva's stunning goal away from home giving Valencia a clear advantage.
"It's going to be quite a battle in the midfield. There could be a lot of contact," warned Albelda on Monday, alluding to the anticipated physical contest in which he is likely to be one of the main protagonists.
Albelda's belief that Chelsea are ready to try and knock the hosts out of their stride was endorsed by Valencia coach Quique Flores later on Monday.
"It's going to be very physical, a lot of fighting (for the the ball). It'll be very intense. We are going to try and keep them away from our goal and hit them on the counter-attack," said Flores.
Whatever Chelsea's other perceived weaknesses, Flores admitted that he fears the firepower of Andrey Shevchenko and Didier Drogba, the latter having scored 30 goals in all competitions this season.
"Drogba in particular has got a great goal-scoring record this season. I want our defenders to keep very close to him, they are going to have to concentrate," added the Valencia coach.
The theme of man-to-man marking was taken up by Albelda.
"Our intention is not to give them any ground because both teams have got players of great quality and if you have a bad day you can throw the game away," said the player.
"We are not invincible but we are a difficult team to beat and especially on our own ground. If Chelsea want to get past us then they are going to have to work very hard and we are going to make their lives very complicated."
"We are not going to keep everyone back, we are going to go looking for their goal because I think we can do some damage. Our objective since the start of the season has been clear and that's to win the Champions League," added Albelda.
Albelda's comment about Valencia's priorities was endorsed by the decision of Flores to rest seven of his expected starters against Chelsea in their surprising 1-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Nevertheless, the Valencia player had some words of praise for Flores's opposite number, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho.
"If he's not the best then he's one of the best coaches in the world," reflected Albelda on the respect, if not affection, in which Mourinho is held in Spain.
"He also has a way of motivating his players that is very individual. Each one can use his weapons how he likes and that's his right."
History suggests though that Albelda and his team mates will be happier than Mourinho and his men at the end of Tuesday night.
Valencia haven't lost at home to an English club since Leeds United won at the Mestalla in 1967.
Chelsea have won only once in their last 10 visits to Spain when contesting a European competition while Valencia have not lost at home in a European competition for four years.
The winner of Tuesday's contest, or perhaps battle, is almost certain to meet another English side Liverpool.
The five-time European Champions won 3-0 at PSV Eindhoven last week to as good as see them through to this year's semi-finals.
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