AVB confident but cautious
February 21, 2012 08:16:10 UK
Andre Villas-Boas hopes for a positive result in Naples.Under-pressure Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is wary of the strength of Champions League opponents Napoli, ahead of a tough last-16 first leg in Italy.
The Blues have been in indifferent form of late and are currently down in fifth place in the Premier League table.
We are still confident we can do well in the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Andre Villas-Boas
However, Portuguese Villas-Boas remains confident that his long-term plans will eventually reap dividends, although he is well aware that success is expected sooner rather than later.
"The fact that we're no longer in the Carling Cup and don't have a chance to win the title is a shame," Villas-Boas told reporters.
"But we are still confident we can do well in the Champions League and the FA Cup."
Villas-Boas is hopeful that England left-back Ashley Cole will recover from a calf injury to feature in the San Paolo on Tuesday evening, while Didier Drogba is expected to start in attack in place of the misfiring Fernando Torres.
With his side 3.25 to gain a draw in Italy, 3.50 to keep a clean sheet and 9.00 to win by a 1-0 scoreline, Villas-Boas added: "We have to be conscious of Napoli's strengths at the San Paolo, a team that has been built up with Europa League qualification last year and now have done very well in the Champions League.
"This game is all about awareness of Napoli's strengths and, hopefully, to bring a positive result back to Stamford Bridge."
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