Tuesday, 25th November, 2014
Schalke boss Roberto Di Matteo has revealed that he will not be thinking about revenge when his side take on his former employers Chelsea in a crucial Champions League encounter tonight.
The Italian, who played for Chelsea between 1996 and 2002, also guided the Blues to their maiden Champions League triumph in 2012, but was sacked just six months later.
However, Di Matteo insisted that he will not be motivated by revenge as Schalke prepare to host Chelsea to the Veltins-Arena in a penultimate Group G fixture.
"I spent many years there, but this is no time for sentimentalities, I want to beat Chelsea", he told the BBC.
“We will focus on our work, nothing else. I have no thoughts of revenge.
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"Honestly, I am not thinking about 2012 that much. I am a person who looks forward, not backwards, I live in the present even though lots of people keep reminding me of that final.”
Di Matteo, who took charge of Schalke last month, further admitted that his side need to be at their best to beat a quality Chelsea team.
"Chelsea have not lost a competitive game this season and have huge quality in their squad”, he added.
"Everything must click for us, we have to have a super day to beat them."
Schalke, who are currently second in Group G with five points from four games, three adrift of Chelsea, drew 1-1 with the Stamford Bridge outfit in the corresponding fixture in September.
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