Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Fernando Torres will start Chelsea's game against Manchester City.
Striker was sub against FCK to ensure he is fresh for Sunday
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Fernando Torres will start Chelsea's game against Manchester City following his substitute's role in the 0-0 draw with FC Copenhagen.
Torres has yet to score since his record arrival at Stamford Bridge from Liverpool in January and there were claims that the striker would be axed for the UEFA Champions League tie with Copenhagen.
Though the Spaniard did start on the bench on Wednesday evening, Ancelotti insists it was to ensure Torres is fully fit to start the weekend visit of City.
Michael Essien and Florent Malouda were also used as substitutes against Copenhagen, again with a view to starting against their Premier League title rivals.
Good motivation
"The players not involved from the beginning tonight will play on Sunday," said Ancelotti. "I wanted to maintain the players fresh and with good motivation.
"If we want to achieve something, we'll need all the players with good motivation."
Torres came off the bench midway through the second half to replace Nicolas Anelka and Ancelotti added: "The only reason (he didn't start) is that we will have these players - Essien, Malouda and Torres - fresh for City."
Ancelotti also confirmed that his selection for the City game will not be swayed by any of his players' performances against Copenhagen.
"No, absolutely not," he responded when asked. "I'd already decided the selection to play against City.
"The atmosphere now is really good. After Copenhagen, everything was okay. The results were good, the performances... the injured players are coming back in good condition.
"Maybe on Friday we'll have all the squad training. This is important for us to do 100% of our possibilities.
"If all these players give 100%, we have a lot of chances of arriving in the final stages. To maintain this we have to try to win every game. We have to pay attention.
"Sunday will be very important for us, for City - a very difficult game for both teams. We have to be ready to try to win."
