Stamford Bridge chief executive Ron Gourlay says the prospect of facing Portugal outfit Benfica in quarter-finals is fine.
The Blues face Jorge Jesus’ side, who drew 2-2 with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the group stage to eliminate the Red Devils, with the first leg in Lisbon scheduled for March 27.
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And Gourlay feels that there is an advantage to be had when hosting the second leg at home at Stamford Bridge.
“It doesn’t matter who you get at this stage,” he told Sky Sports News. “It will be a difficult game but it’s important to have the away game first and build the foundation from there.”
Chelsea’s Brazilian stars Ramires and David Luiz both moved from Benfica, and Gourlay believes their knowledge could help the Blues succeed.
“Ramires and David Luiz will know quite a bit, and we also know about them because they came from Manchester United’s group. They are a very strong side and we will look forward to the upcoming games,” he said.
Meanwhile, Benfica sporting director Rui Costa believes his side have what it takes to overpower Chelsea over the two legs, although he played down the fact that the first leg will be played at the Estadio da Luz.
“Chelsea are a great team, with great players, but Benfica are also a great team and we fear no-one,” he told Benfica TV. ”It will be a very close tie, but Benfica have a chance.
“We are amongst the eight best teams in Europe, with all merit. We could not wish to get an easy team, because there were none. We have to play both at home and on the road, and the fact that you play at home is getting less and less important, though it is always good to play on your stadium. It does not scare us that we play at the Estadio da Luz first and then at Stamford Bridge.”
Quizzed on his preferred opponent for the semi-finals between Barcelona and AC Milan, Costa stressed that his side are only focused on Chelsea.
“Our immediate concern is not who wins the tie between AC Milan and Barcelona,” he said. ”We have to beat Chelsea and to be focused only on this tie and then think about what comes next, if we go through.”
'It doesn't matter who you get' says Chelsea chief after Euro draw
CHELSEA ARE FEELING pretty pleased about this morning’s Champions League draw.
Stamford Bridge chief executive Ron Gourlay says the prospect of facing Portugal outfit Benfica in quarter-finals is fine.
The Blues face Jorge Jesus’ side, who drew 2-2 with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the group stage to eliminate the Red Devils, with the first leg in Lisbon scheduled for March 27.
And Gourlay feels that there is an advantage to be had when hosting the second leg at home at Stamford Bridge.
“It doesn’t matter who you get at this stage,” he told Sky Sports News. “It will be a difficult game but it’s important to have the away game first and build the foundation from there.”
Chelsea’s Brazilian stars Ramires and David Luiz both moved from Benfica, and Gourlay believes their knowledge could help the Blues succeed.
“Ramires and David Luiz will know quite a bit, and we also know about them because they came from Manchester United’s group. They are a very strong side and we will look forward to the upcoming games,” he said.
Meanwhile, Benfica sporting director Rui Costa believes his side have what it takes to overpower Chelsea over the two legs, although he played down the fact that the first leg will be played at the Estadio da Luz.
“Chelsea are a great team, with great players, but Benfica are also a great team and we fear no-one,” he told Benfica TV. ”It will be a very close tie, but Benfica have a chance.
“We are amongst the eight best teams in Europe, with all merit. We could not wish to get an easy team, because there were none. We have to play both at home and on the road, and the fact that you play at home is getting less and less important, though it is always good to play on your stadium. It does not scare us that we play at the Estadio da Luz first and then at Stamford Bridge.”
Quizzed on his preferred opponent for the semi-finals between Barcelona and AC Milan, Costa stressed that his side are only focused on Chelsea.
“Our immediate concern is not who wins the tie between AC Milan and Barcelona,” he said. ”We have to beat Chelsea and to be focused only on this tie and then think about what comes next, if we go through.”
It’s Friday, so here’s all your Airtricity League Premier Division team news…
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Benfica Champions League Draw Manchester United march on munich Portugal Red DEvils Ron Gourlay