Cool Carlo insists Torres will play

Cool Carlo insists Torres will play

Published Apr. 11, 2011 9:15 p.m. ET

Blues boss Ancelotti does not believe his job depends on the result of Tuesday's game. The Italian's position at Stamford Bridge is widely thought to be under threat as his side prepare to run out at Old Trafford trailing 1-0 after the first leg of their quarter-final tie. The game is certainly pivotal in Chelsea's season with a late push to retain their Premier League title - they trail leaders United by 11 points - now seemingly unlikely. Yet the 51-year-old, who guided Chelsea to the domestic double last season, has another year on his contract and does not feel he is being put under extra pressure by owner Roman Abramovich. When asked at his pre-match press conference if his job was in jeopardy, Ancelotti said: "No. My future is already decided, I don't have a problem about this game. "It's not important to speak with Roman. When I have a contract, everything is okay with him. "A lot of times I said the pressure, for me, is not bad. "Pressure keeps me focused and concentrated, and gives my players the possibility to do their best. I'm focused on this. "I know it will be difficult tomorrow, but we have a lot of possibilities to play a fantastic game." Ancelotti, who won Europe's elite competition in charge of AC Milan, even claimed that he thrives under such circumstances. He added: "I think that, a lot of times, I played this kind of game with this pressure. "But it's not pressure, it's excitement. "To be involved in this game is fantastic for my job, for my career. So I'm not afraid, I'm not worried about this. "I'm happy to have a possibility to be involved in this game, to use my ability and my skill to give to the players the skills to play at their best." United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claimed earlier in the day that Abramovich was obsessed with winning the Champions League, and that was his chief reason for spending £50million on Fernando Torres in January. Ancelotti does not believe that is the case even amid speculation that he could become a victim of the Russian's pursuit of European glory. Chelsea have fallen at the semi-final stage four times since Abramovich bought the club and they also reached the final in 2008, when they lost to United on penalties. Ancelotti said: "It's not an obsession, it's a dream. "Every time, above all when you're going to play a quarter-final - in three games, we have a possibility to play a final. "At this moment of the competition it is a dream to reach the final." Ancelotti also claimed he did not mind if out-of-form Torres failed to score again if the team made progress. The Spain striker has endured a tortuous time in front of goal since his British record move from Liverpool, failing to score in 10 appearances. It has been claimed Ancelotti does not know how best to accommodate a player who may have been purchased above his head. But he said: "I'm not interested in a goal for Fernando. "I'm interested in Chelsea winning this game. If he scores it's good for him and for Chelsea, but it's just important to win here. "For him, he's searching to score a goal. "I want to say he doesn't have pressure from us because our aim is that he can play for the squad, to move well for the team, work for the team-mates. "I never ask my strikers to score a goal, no." Ancelotti confirmed Torres will play some part in the game but would not say if he will start. United will be strong favourites to go through to the last four after Wayne Rooney claimed an away goal in the first leg last week. Chelsea know they must score but Ancelotti will not be reckless. He said: "We know we have to win. We know we have 90 minutes, so we have to play well for 90 minutes. "We are not going to put strong pressure from the beginning. "We need to have time to play our football and to score. "We have to play with balance because United on the counter-attack after very dangerous. This is our aim."

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