Blues set sights on final

Chelsea wary of Group A rivals

Last updated: 29th August 2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari Chelsea v Portsmouth

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Chelsea club secretary David Barnard says the players are focused on reaching this season's UEFA Champions League final after the draw was made for the group stages.

Last campaign's losing finalists have been drawn against Italian giants Roma, French side Bordeaux and Romanian club Cluj in Group A.

Barnard is confident Chelsea will progress from the group and he says everyone at the club is determined to finally win Europe's top prize after going so close in previous seasons.

Interesting draw

"It is a very interesting draw, a bit of a mixed bag," Barnard told Sky Sports News.

"AS Roma know all about Premier League teams having played Manchester United for the last two years so that won't be an easy game.

"Bordeaux, the French always do well at group level with the likes of Lyon and Marseille so we mustn't underestimate them.

"Obviously the Romanian team is of interest to us as I'm not aware of them at all but any team that reaches the group stages of the Champions League deserves respect so we won't underestimate them but we will be have to do a bit of additional homework on them."

Focused
Barnard says the whole club have set their sights on reaching the final in Rome to make up for the disappointments of last term's final defeat to Manchester United.

"I think the boys are totally focused on the Champions League having been in four semi-finals, including a final but always been the bridesmaid," added Barnard.

"I think the determination this year is there, they been there and tasted what it is like to be in the final

"They are completely focused on reaching the final again this year."

Champions League 2008/09 Win Outright: Chelsea 9/2