Iker Casillas has warned his Porto team-mates ahead
of their upcoming Champions League decider against
embattled Chelsea.
Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas insisted Chelsea remain a force
to be reckoned with in Europe, despite the English champions'
domestic woes.
Chelsea slumped to their eighth Premier League defeat on
Saturday, surprisingly beaten 1-0 at home to AFC Bournemouth.
Jose Mourinho's Chelsea languish in 14th position, 14 points
adrift of Manchester United, who occupy the fourth and final
Champions League spot.
While Chelsea's Premier League struggles are evident, the
Londoners remain on track to qualify for the Champions League
knockout round heading into Wednesday's Group G showdown
with Porto.
Chelsea top the group ahead of the Portuguese giants on goal
difference, while Dynamo Kiev are two points adrift and Casillas
has warned his team-mates not to underestimate Mourinho and
Co.
"Mourinho is a coach who will always want a victory and now
against his old club," Casillas said.
"But we fly with the mentality that we can make them suffer at
Stamford Bridge and get through the group phase. To be out of
the Champions League in the next few days would be a big
blow.
"Chelsea are not playing with the same level that they played in
the past seasons but the Blues have an enormous squad that is
capable of beating any European rival.
"It's never easy to play English clubs in their own stadiums with
the atmosphere there. But this match is decisive for us. After
failing in the last match it’s now obligatory that we go to London
and show our best side and, as a minimum, take one point on
the pitch.
"Porto has not prepared for a defensive match because that will
be a disaster and almost certainly result in a defeat. We are
obsessed with staying in the Champions League.
"We have had a good group phase but the pain was the defeat at
home by Dinamo Kyiv. That was our worst match of the season
and we have to be confident that that will not damage our
European chances."
of their upcoming Champions League decider against
embattled Chelsea.
Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas insisted Chelsea remain a force
to be reckoned with in Europe, despite the English champions'
domestic woes.
Chelsea slumped to their eighth Premier League defeat on
Saturday, surprisingly beaten 1-0 at home to AFC Bournemouth.
Jose Mourinho's Chelsea languish in 14th position, 14 points
adrift of Manchester United, who occupy the fourth and final
Champions League spot.
While Chelsea's Premier League struggles are evident, the
Londoners remain on track to qualify for the Champions League
knockout round heading into Wednesday's Group G showdown
with Porto.
Chelsea top the group ahead of the Portuguese giants on goal
difference, while Dynamo Kiev are two points adrift and Casillas
has warned his team-mates not to underestimate Mourinho and
Co.
"Mourinho is a coach who will always want a victory and now
against his old club," Casillas said.
"But we fly with the mentality that we can make them suffer at
Stamford Bridge and get through the group phase. To be out of
the Champions League in the next few days would be a big
blow.
"Chelsea are not playing with the same level that they played in
the past seasons but the Blues have an enormous squad that is
capable of beating any European rival.
"It's never easy to play English clubs in their own stadiums with
the atmosphere there. But this match is decisive for us. After
failing in the last match it’s now obligatory that we go to London
and show our best side and, as a minimum, take one point on
the pitch.
"Porto has not prepared for a defensive match because that will
be a disaster and almost certainly result in a defeat. We are
obsessed with staying in the Champions League.
"We have had a good group phase but the pain was the defeat at
home by Dinamo Kyiv. That was our worst match of the season
and we have to be confident that that will not damage our
European chances."
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