Football: We’ve given everyone a slap in the face says Villas-Boas
Andre Villas-Boas slammed the snipers who have criticised his Chelsea reign after the Blues swept into the Champions League last-16 with a 3-0 victory over Valencia.
Villas-Boas would have become the first Chelsea manager to see his side knocked out in the group stages of the competition if Valencia had won or secured a stalemate.
However, his players got him out of trouble as two goals from Didier Drogba and a Ramires strike – combined with Bayer Leverkusen’s draw at Genk – allowed Chelsea to finish top of Group E.
After a string of poor results, which had prompted harsh criticism for Villas-Boas and his team, the manager had clearly been harbouring a few grudges and he took the opportunity to hit back at his critics.
“The players deserve respect they don’t get,” fumed Villas-Boas. “We’ve been continually chased by everybody and today we gave them a slap in the face.
“The criticism has been over the top. The approach in the media is if Manchester City qualify from their group then great and if not that’s ok. We don’t get that approach.
“Some of the criticism is out of this world. There was an ex-Manchester United defender who said he could not play for this Chelsea team. It’s unfortunate for you guys [in the media] because you’ll have to report on a brilliant win for Chelsea.”
Inexperienced Arsenal downed
Meanwhile, Arsenal were able to ring nine changes having already won Group F, but Arsene Wenger’s men lost 3-1 to Olympiakos, who were two minutes away from joining them in the next round only to be denied by a last-gasp Marseille goal at Dortmund.
“I have some regrets,” Wenger admitted afterwards, noting his team lacked experience at this level.
“We must give credit to Olympiakos because they played a physical game and made it difficult for us. We didn’t have the right tactical approach. They were dangerous and deserved it.”
‘We let our concentration slip’
Elsewhere, AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri accused his side of letting their concentration slip as Viktoria Plzen hit back from 2-0 down to snatch a 2-2 draw. Milan still took second place in Group H with Plzen finishing third for a spot in the Europa League.
“We were winning 2-0, we had some great chances to close out the game but didn’t manage it,” said Allegri. “We played well but there’s anger because this is the Champions League. We let our concentration slip after we missed some chances. We need to play with grit right to the end.”
Meanwhile, a fledging Barcelona side showed what the reigning champions have in reserve as they swept aside BATE Borisov 4-0 with first place in Group H already assured. Zenit St Petersburg went through to the last-16 at Porto’s expense after drawing 0-0.
Milan make Tevez offer
AC Milan have made an offer to Manchester City for striker Carlos Tevez, revealed the Italian club’s chief executive Adriano Galliani. Following discussions with Tevez’s agent, the Italian champions sent their offer, asking for a loan until the end of the season with an option to buy him in the summer.
“He’s renounced a mountain of money,” said Galliani. “We have an agreement with the player and we’ve sent City a proposal. Tevez wants to join us, half the deal is done and now we’ll wait for City’s reply.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2011.
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