Schalke
manager Roberto Di Matteo admits there is no room for sentiment when he
faces his old side Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Di Matteo etched his name into Chelsea folklore as a player and later as a
manager when he won the Champions League with the west London side in 2012.
Schalke would boost their chances of a spot in the knockout stages of the
competition if they beat the Italian’s former team and Di Matteo says a win
for his side is his only focus.
“I had a very good time as a player and as a manager in London,” he said. “I
spent many years of my life there and am still in contact with some of the
people and the players," he said.
"But there's no time for sentimentality. The match is Schalke against
Chelsea and I want to win with Schalke against Chelsea.
"The group is still wide open. Every team has the chance to reach the
knockout round.
"Chelsea haven't lost a competitive game so far this season and have a lot
of quality in their squad. You have to do everything right if you want to
beat them. We'll give everything, as a win would put us in a very good
position in the group."
Schalke defender Jens Keller acknowledges Tuesday’s match will be special
for Di Matteo but is confident the Germans can halt Chelsea’s progression
this season.
“Chelsea will have a lot of confidence coming into the game after their wins
in the league," the Austria international conceded.
"But if we show our strengths again then we can pick up a point or even win
the game against Chelsea.
"It's always special when you play against your ex-club and as a player you
want to put in a good performance.
“But for a manager, they aren't on the pitch and the team have to implement
what he wants. But I think that it'll be something special for him in every
way."
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