Carlo questions Nicosia pitch

Performance will have no bearing on Liverpool game says boss

Last updated: 30th September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Carlo questions Nicosia pitch

Ancelotti: Unconcerned by showing

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Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti questioned the quality of the GS Pancypria Stadium pitch after his side secured a narrow victory over Apoel Nicosia.

Nicolas Anelka's first-half strike was the only goal of the game as the Blues struggled to create chances and at times suffered relentless pressure from the home side.

After losing their first game of the season against Wigan at the weekend, question marks over Chelsea's form will undoubtedly arise as they prepare to face Liverpool this weekend.

However, Ancelotti is unconcerned by the performance and highlighted the condition of the pitch as his side scrambled their second 1-0 win in as many games in UEFA Champions League Group D.

"I think we started good, we played very well," Ancelotti told Sky Sports.

"We scored a goal in the first half and we had good control of the game.

"Second half it was difficult. We tried to do possession ball but the pitch was not good and we lost a lot of passes and the end of the match was difficult for us.

"But we kept good concentration and we won an important match.

"I don't want to find an excuse but the pitch was not good, I think that is an objective thing."

Form

Ancelotti rebuffed suggestions that his side are heading into the vital weekend clash with title rivals Liverpool in poor form, insisting the performance will not affect them.

"For sure we have to do better next time than this," he said. "For sure we will play better, but every game is a different story."

Chelsea were at times restricted to long-range efforts with both Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard guilty of some wayward shooting as they searched for a second goal.

Lampard has now gone eight games without a goal, a drought by his normally high standards, but Ancelotti is again unconcerned and is happy with his contribution to the team.

"I'm not worried because Lampard will score (eventually) and he is working hard for the team, for me it is important this."