Chelsea Must Keep Possession – Roberto Di Matteo Preaches Ball Retention

Tuesday, 2nd October, 2012

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has explained he is putting the emphasis squarely on keeping possession of the ball.

The Blues boss hopes to see that philosophy in action this evening, when Chelsea play Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland in the Champions League.

relatedNewsStory Chelsea, who won the Champions League last season and so have the added pressure of defending the trophy, drew their first group game 2-2 at home against Juventus.

Picking up three points away in Denmark then is something which could be vital for the English giants and Di Matteo wants his players to make sure they keep hold of the ball.

And the Italian believes that if his team have possession, the opposition cannot score.

"We are putting a big emphasis on possession and as long as we have the ball then the opposition can’t score, so hopefully we will have more of the ball than Nordsjaelland and will try and create chances, but their philosophy is on possession and it will be an interesting game", the Chelsea boss told his club’s official site.

And Di Matteo will not underestimate the challenge Nordsjaelland pose, even if they are virtual minnows in the Champions League.

"We know from the past in the Champions League that there are no easy games, especially away from home. It’s very difficult and Nordsjaelland have shown how good they are when they went to Shakhtar [Donetsk] and had the majority of possession", said the Chelsea boss.

"They’re not afraid to play their football and it’s going to be difficult for us. We are probably favourites on paper but we have to show that on the pitch."

Nordsjaelland come into the clash on the back of a league win, having beaten Esbjerg 3-0.