Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti laments missed opportunities in Champions League quarter-final defeat to Manchester United

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti felt his team controlled the opening stages of the game during their Champions League defeat to Manchester United but was disappointed that they couldn’t capitalise on their early dominance.

Ancelotti changed the team’s formation, preferring a narrower system, and it appeared to be working as they carved out a number of early chances although the Italian was disappointed they couldn’t score goals in the first half as United ran out eventual 2-1 winners.

He told Sky Sports: “I think we had control of the game for the first 25 minutes in the first half but we were unable to score, we had some opportunities to score, then at the end of the first half when they scored it became more difficult for us.

“We came back into the game also, with 10 men, but in the end it was not enough.”

Despite the setback for the Blues the Italian took the defeat with grace, admitting that Manchester United deserved their victory in the end.

He added: “The game was balanced until the end, also we played with 10 men. Our performance was not so bad but I think in the end Man United deserved to win.”

Ancelotti’s selection of Fernando Torres over Didier Drogba was seen as controversial by many and he was hauled off at half-time but the ex-AC Milan boss insists the team must get behind their record signing.

He said: “On Torres We have to believe, to have the patience with him, we have to wait and he will improve.

“Drogba had a fantastic second half, using power, using ability and scoring a goal. He came on but his performance was good.”

This defeat means that Chelsea are effectively out of the running for a trophy this season but Ancelotti has called on his players to move on from this quickly to ensure they qualify for the Champions League automatically through their league position.

Ancelotti said: “It will be difficult to move on but we have a solution to reach the first places to play in the Champions League next year. So quickly we have to move on from this defeat, from this disappointment, and look forward to the next game.”