Branislav Ivanovic left no doubt about the importance of the Club World Cup final today, claiming it could be "the key game for this generation" of Chelsea players.
Defender Ivanovic declared victory in today’s clash with Corinthians would prove the current squad has what it takes to build on the most glittering era in the Blues’ history.
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Chelsea players at a training session in Yokohama on Saturday. Pic/AFP.
The summer overhaul of playing staff and style at Stamford Bridge has so far failed to yield any silverware, with Chelsea having missed out on three trophies already this season, as well as slipping well off the pace in the EPL.
Roberto Di Matteo paid with his job and Ivanovic insisted it was time for the Blues’ new breed to live up to the standards of their predecessors. He said of today’s world-title decider in Yokohama: “For us, this is maybe the key game for this generation. We know how we have to play and we know that it’s going to be tough. So, we have to be ready.”
Branislav Ivanovic
Ivanovic admitted Chelsea becoming the first Champions League holders to crash out of the competition before Christmas made victory tomorrow even more imperative.
He added: “It’s going to be a key point for this generation because to be eliminated from the first stage of the Champions League is, for us, a little bit disappointing.”
The 28-year-old urged his teammates to put this season’s troubles aside, including the sacking of Di Matteo and controversial appointment of Rafael Benitez as interim manager. He said: “This is the moment Chelsea FC need to forget everything and just be focused on tomorrow’s game because it’s a game to make history again.”
We are here to win: Corinthians Manager
Corinthians boss Tite
Corinthians boss Tite on Saturday admitted his side needed to produce a flawless performance to beat Chelsea in the Club World Cup final.
Tite denied his South American champions were behaving too much like underdogs ahead of Sunday’s showdown in Yokohama. “We cannot make any mistakes,” he said.
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