Juan Mata says Chelsea must use recent disappointments as a source of motivation as they bid to set up an FA Cup quarter-final glamour tie with Manchester United.
The European champions visit second-tier Middlesbrough in the fifth round on Wednesday, three days after a 2-0 loss at Manchester City that left them seven points adrift of the top two in the Premier League.
It leaves UEFA Champions League qualification as Chelsea’s only realistic objective in the league this season, but they remain in contention for honours in both the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
The draw for the last eight in the FA Cup dealt Rafael Benitez’s side a possible trip to Old Trafford in the next round and Mata believes that should provide enough motivation to cast recent setbacks into the shade.
Writing on his official blog, blogs.grada360.com/juanmata, the Spain midfielder said:
“We’re sorry for our fans.
“The way to overcome the disappointment is winning again, and this coming Wednesday we have an opportunity to move one step forward in the FA Cup.
“We can still win two titles. That, plus getting a ticket to play the next Champions League, is our motivation with a view to the rest of the season and we will fight for those goals until the end, like this club has always done.”
Interim Chelsea coach Benitez has complained that his club are “playing too many games” at the moment and he seems likely to shuffle his pack for the trip to the Riverside Stadium.
Striker Fernando Torres and club captain John Terry will both hope to start, having been named on the substitutes’ bench for the defeat at City.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It is necessary dat they qualify for next seasons Champions Leagea,if it means sacrifising the FA CUP and EROPA LEAGEA let them do it
I jst went benitez 2b sacks b4 he ends chelsea on table 6
In mata i trust go out dere and do the job. God bless Chelsea, God bless Nigeria and God bless all of us amen.