Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes his side can beat Chelsea in the upcoming Champions League quarter-final, despite not having the best of records against the Blues. United have not been able to defeat their Premier League rivals in the last 10 attempts but Owen believes they have been unlucky in their last two clashes at Stamford Bridge. “Since I’ve been at the club the games at Stamford Bridge have been odd,” he told the club’s official website.
“We don’t get outplayed there, that’s for sure. Unfortunately we haven’t had many good results, though. I’m sure our luck will change at some point. “I can’t quite believe we lost the last two league games at Stamford Bridge – we played well on both occasions.
“In the league last month we were 1-0 up and put on one of the finest displays of football Stamford Bridge has probably seen from a visiting team. I don’t think many teams go to Chelsea and play like that. “Maybe we were a little guilty of contributing to our own downfall but we won’t let that happen again.”
Both sides know each other well from their Premier League battles but this will be the first Champions League clash since United won the trophy against the Blues in Moscow in 2008. And Owen insists that they won’t change the preparation just because they are playing an old adversary in the tie.
“We prepare for every game in the exact same way – we don’t take any game more seriously or less seriously than any other,” he continued. “The way we train, the way we travel, the way we recover, it’s all the same. I don’t think it will feel much different.
The former Real Madrid striker is back in contention after two months out with a groin injury and he believes that having the second leg of the quarter-final at Old Trafford is a huge boost for the Reds. “We hope playing the second leg at Old Trafford will prove decisive,” he added.
“We also know that whoever progresses to the semi-final will get the same advantage there, so that’s an added incentive. “From that point of view, the draw’s been kind to us. But Chelsea won’t be easy. It’s going to be difficult to get past Chelsea over two legs.”
No comments:
Post a Comment