Carlo chasing Euro dream

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    20110316

    Ancelotti determined to land top prize

    Last updated: 16th March 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

    If Chelsea get rid of me, I will spend the next year here as a tourist.

    Carlo Ancelotti
    Quotes of the week

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    Carlo Ancelotti believes his Chelsea squad are desperate to end the club’s long wait for UEFA Champions League glory.

    European football’s top prize has so far eluded the Blues, with a heartbreaking final defeat to Manchester United in 2008 as close as they have come.

    Owner Roman Abramovich has made it clear that conquering the continent is a priority for him, with the Russian billionaire continuing to bankroll big-money acquisitions in an effort to take Chelsea to the trophy.

    The Blues remain in the hunt this season, with one foot already in the quarter-finals following a 2-0 victory away at Copenhagen in the first leg of their last-16 encounter.

    Ancelotti is hoping the club will progress much further than the last eight, though, with the Italian setting his sights on a final date at Wembley on 28th May.

    “There are at least three factors which could act as a springboard for Chelsea to win the Champions League this season,” he said.

    “Firstly, the final will be in London and all my lads want to play a starring role in it.

    “Then Chelsea have been chasing after the Champions League for so long that they now have a real desire to bring the trophy home.

    Rule-breaking

    “But the third motivation is purely personal. I want to indulge in another bit of rule-breaking and once again smoke a cigarette in the forbidden temple of Wembley.

    “I did it last year when we won the FA Cup against Portsmouth and nobody pulled me up about it.

    “Yet when Guus Hiddink lit a cigar to celebrate winning the FA Cup in 2009, he was caught on camera and fined £2,500.

    “But I am Italian. So I would not lose any sleep about that.”

    While proud of his Italian heritage, Ancleotti insists he has no plans to return to his homeland any time soon.

    He has found himself under mounting pressure at times this season, but is adamant that he has no fears for his future in England.

    “I am very happy in London,” he added.

    “If Chelsea get rid of me, I will spend the next year here as a tourist. There’s no chance of me managing another Italian team for the time being.”

    Chelsea v FC Copenhagen. Click here to bet.

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