Robben injury nothing serious, says Ancelotti

The Netherlands international was replaced at half-time on Saturday prompting fears he is set for another spell on the sidelines but his coach has played down such fears

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted the injury suffered by Arjen Robben during Bayern Munich's draw with Cologne is nothing serious.

Bayern Munich held by Koln

The 32-year-old was making his first start of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena, but had to be replaced by Thomas Muller at half-time.

That sparked fears Robben could be facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines having only recently returned from two months out with a groin injury.

But Bayern reported "slightly bruised ribs" after the match and boss Ancelotti is not overly concerned by the injury's seriousness.

"He was in pain and could not go on, but it is nothing serious," Ancelotti told the club's website.

Cologne's draw meant Bayern dropped points for the first time in the Bundesliga this season in a week that has also seen them lose to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Ancelotti was disappointed but not particularly worried by the result, which came after Anthony Modeste cancelled out Joshua Kimmich's opener.

"We are allowed to be disappointed, but we need not worry," he said.

"We could have won the game, but Cologne had chances to take all three points home as well.

"We started well and had control, but Cologne improved in the second half."

Bayern hit the post twice in the match, through Javi Martinez and Juan Bernat.

I liked everything against Bayern – Simeone proud of 'one of the best' Atletico wins

Los Rojiblancos proved clearly superior to their visitors in the Champions League, prompting their coach to heap praises on their performance

Diego Simeone revelled in Atletico Madrid's Champions Leage win over Bayern Munich, describing it as one of the club's best under his charge.

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A first-half goal from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco saw Atletico to a 1-0 victory against the Bundesliga giants on Wednesday.

He may have led Atletico to a La Liga title and two Champions League finals, but Simeone was particularly proud of their latest win.

"I feel lucky to be manager of this club. It is a club with passion and a promise to play every game as we want. Today I liked everything," he said to Uefa.com.

"We pressed them well, when we sat back and set up for the counter we did it well. When we had to suffer we did.

"We were intense for the 90 minutes against a very hard side and it is one of the best achievements since I've been here at Atletico Madrid."

Carrasco scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes before half-time, his shot hitting the inside of the post and going in.

Simeone, who saw Antoine Griezmann miss a late penalty, lauded his defence, particularly centre-backs Diego Godin and Stefan Savic.

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"The teamwork today was brilliant. Such intelligence, intensity, winning the ball back and counter-attacking," he said.

"Savic and Godin were brilliant. We have four brilliant centre-backs who I think are the best in the world."

Atletico are top of Group D with six points after their win, sitting three clear of Bayern.

Robben to start against Cologne, suggests Ancelotti

The Dutchman has struggled for game time due to injury but his coach hinted he could field him this weekend as Bayern Munich look to bounce back from Champions League defeat

Carlo Ancelotti has suggested Arjen Robben could start for Bayern Munich in Saturday's Bundesliga encounter versus Cologne, as he looks to rest some key figures.

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The Netherlands international recently made his comeback after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but has yet to make his way into the starting XI again after his groin injury.

Nevertheless, Robben could get the nod against Cologne as Bayern look to make it six wins from as many Bundesliga outings.

Ancelotti is looking to refresh his side after his first defeat as die Roten boss against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and stated Robben could be one of the players to come in.

"I think it is important to rotate some players on Saturday," Ancelotti told reporters at a press conference. "Robben could feature from the start. Arjen's situation has improved.

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"[Franck] Ribery had some problems, but he will be ready. I am not a doctor, but I think he was just a bit tired. 

"Cologne are a good team and are still unbeaten. They have some very quick players. It will be a difficult game, also because we played in midweek. That's why I will rotate."

Robben's contract with Bayern is due to expire at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, but Ancelotti is confident the Dutch winger will sign a renewal.

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"Robben is an important player and has always been important for Bayern," the Italian said.

"I don't think there will be any problems if he wants to stay. It's up to the club now. But there is still time to talk about a contract renewal."

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Mourinho: Very demanding

Jose Mourinho has spoken about the importance of bringing players through to the first team from the club’s Academy, but says pressure to acquire positive results on a regular basis means opportunities to do so are limited.

So far this season the Portuguese has handed first team debuts to Dominic Solanke, Andreas Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Izzy Brown and Nathan Ake have also been involved with the main squad.

Loftus-Cheek was also introduced as a late substitute in our Premier League draw against Manchester City in January, and Mourinho hopes to be able to call on the young midfielder on a more regular basis next season.

‘This club is very demanding, it’s not easy to play football, the pressure is big,’ said the Blues boss.

‘It’s not the same to play at a club where people just accept a so-so performance or result, or finishing fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth, that’s not the best habitat for a young player to develop.

‘For the player to play in the first team he must be ready. With the level of responsibility and pressure there is no space for a player who is not ready. For example, when did I play Dominic Solanke? I played him when we were winning 5-0 against Maribor. I cannot play Solanke against Southampton with 30 minutes to go with the score at 1-1.

‘I think Ruben will be ready next season. In pre-season he will start with us immediately and there will be matches for him to play. Next season he will be ready, also from a mental point of view.’

Mourinho also explained the reasons behind his desire to continually achieve success, and provided his thoughts on the news that Louis van Gaal, a man he worked under at Barcelona, will retire once his reign at Manchester United comes to a conclusion.

‘I have a job, I want to succeed and I try to do my best all the time,’ said the Portuguese. ‘I fight against defeat and try to win, that’s the nature of the job.

‘When you have a fantastic life, a fantastic family and a good economical situation, if you don’t have the passion for the job, a desire to do things well and get results, you have all the reasons to stop. If I want to work for another 15 to 20 years it’s because I feel that happiness, to work, to compete, to win, to lose.

‘I want to coach Portugal in a World Cup or European Championships, I would like that but if I don’t do it there is no drama. My career is beautiful, I’m happy with it and I just want to carry on and enjoy many more years.

‘Van Gaal has had a fantastic career; I know he dreamed of coaching his country at a World Cup, he did that. He coached the club of his heart, AZ Alkmaar, with great success. He coached the top team in his country, Ajax. He coached two of the best clubs in the world, Barcelona and Bayern, and was champions with both.

‘Now, finally, he’s come to a country where he’s never worked to coach one of the biggest clubs in the world. I think his career is perfect. He has a fantastic family and a beautiful house in Portugal. He loves it there; the people, the weather, the area, the food, so he deserves to stop when he wants and he thinks that will be after Man United.’

Past Sampler: Hull away

The Blues make the trip north to take on Hull City this afternoon, and the official Chelsea website brings you snippets from our five most recent away games against today's opponents...



A 2-0 win in last season’s corresponding fixture saw the Blues move to the top of the Barclays Premier League, while Petr Cech broke the record for the highest number of clean sheets kept as a Chelsea goalkeeper.

A stubborn home defence made it difficult for the Blues for long spells, with both goals coming during the second half.

Eden Hazard broke the deadlock shortly after half-time with a wonderful solo effort, before Fernando Torres wrapped up the points four minutes from time.

Hazard’s opener was described in the following way in the club’s official match report on the day:

‘David Luiz played the ball into Cole, who released Hazard with a delightful first-time back heel. The Belgian dashed in from the left-hand side of the box, feigning to shoot on a couple of occasions. He took his time before firing low and hard past McGregor, who stood no chance. Hazard's ninth Premier League goal of the season was one of his best yet, a fusion of the two he struck at Sunderland in early December.’



In 2009/10 a Chelsea side under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti came from behind to earn a point in a midweek encounter on Humberside.

It was a game we could have won, but Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was in inspired form.

The home side had taken the lead in the first half but Didier Drobga equalised after the break with a free-kick, described in the following way on Chelseafc.com.

‘Drogba placed the ball, no doubt thinking about his similar strike against the Tigers on the season's opening day. The method may have been slightly different with a slight deflection off the Hull wall, but the result was the same and Chelsea were level.’

 

A brilliant team performance allowed us to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory in 2008/09.

Frank Lampard opened the scoring inside the opening two minutes with a wonderful chip, and second-half strikes from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda compounded the home side’s misery.

Here’s how Lampard’s strike was reported in the club’s official match report:

‘The Blues had initially attacked down the left through Ashley Cole and after Malouda had foraged in the area, McShane's hurried clearance went straight to the feet of Lamps.

‘On the left of the area from a position where normal players would have been looking to cross, he simply flighted the perfect lofted ball over a bewildered Myhill and into the far side of the net. Our vice-captain's year of the chip goes on.’



Scott Sinclair and Steve Sidwell scored their first goals for the club in a 4-0 League Cup victory away at Hull in 2007/08.

There was no risk of an upset from the moment Sinclair fired us in front nine minutes before half-time. Salomon Kalou extended our lead prior to Sidwell’s strike, and the Ivorian made it 4-0 with his second of the night late on.

Sinclair’s goal was described on Chelseafc.com in the following way.

‘Within seconds however, the Blues did take the lead and what a fine strike and a fine moment it was for Scott Sinclair, sweeping in Wright-Phillips's cross that had threaded a way through a crowd with a sweet connection for his first Chelsea goal.’





Gustavo Poyet scored a hat-trick as the Blues cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a 6-1 victory at Hull in 1999/2000.

It was a dominant Chelsea display and we never looked back after Poyet had opened the scoring after just nine minutes.

Chris Sutton and Roberto Di Matteo were also on target, while Hull defender Mike Edwards put through his own net for the hosts.

Sutton’s goal made it 2-0 on the day, and here’s how it was described in Onside, the club’s official publication at the time.

‘Sutton dived backwards to twist and head Harley’s whipped cross back over Bracey into the far corner. Harley had started the move , heading a cross-field ball into Di Matteo, who found Zola, and Zola slipped the still running Harley through along the left touchline.’