Pochettino wants to fight Man City

Coach Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to show their mettle and play offensively when they visit defending champion Man City in round 25 of the Premier League.

The first leg at Stamford Bridge in November 2023 was a spectacular affair, with eight goals scored equally between the two teams, with Man City taking the lead three times but each time their opponents equalised.

Ahead of the rematch at the Etihad, Pochettino insisted Chelsea would not defend and allow Man City - who have lost just one Premier League home game in nearly two years - to freely control the ball and apply pressure.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino (left) directs the end of the 4-4 draw with Man City at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on November 12, 2023. Photo: Reuters

"The lesson from the last game is that we are going to face one of the best teams in the world , but at the same time you need to be brave enough to force them to defend, to sit back and protect their goal," the 51-year-old Argentine coach said at a pre-match press conference on February 16. "If we go out and wait and see what happens, Man City will dominate and make you suffer. The most important thing is that we need to attack, run and work together. The whole team must be brave to challenge them."

In the 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, Cole Palmer shone with a penalty kick in the fifth minute of injury time to seal the score. The English midfielder has also been Chelsea's brightest star this season, scoring 10 goals in 20 Premier League games, since leaving Man City for 53.5 million USD.

Pochettino praised Palmer for being smart, playing well under pressure and not having to prove anything to Man City. According to him, Man City is the strongest club in the world and it is not easy for a 21-year-old player like Palmer to break into the first team.

Man City goalkeeper Ederson saves Cole Palmer's shot at Stamford Bridge in round 12 of the Premier League on November 12. Photo: Reuters

However, Pochettino admitted he was surprised by his player's ability to adapt quickly. "It seems like Palmer came from Brazil or Argentina," he said. "He adapted very quickly. Sometimes, one of the strengths of South American players is that they come to Europe and adapt very quickly. Some English players, going from North to South or vice versa, say it's difficult to adapt because the weather, the language, everything is different."

Pochettino wants to beat Man City and has not yet planned for the League Cup final against Liverpool on February 25. "We are a team with ups and downs and need to grow and find stability," he analyzed. "First we need to think about trying to win and then see what happens in the next game. I don't think the win or loss will affect the match after the Liverpool game."

Pochettino confirmed Chelsea will be without Thiago Silva and Carney Chukwuemeka through injury, while Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto and Robert Sanchez are all available.

Hong Duy

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