|
HIDDINK DREAMS OF EURO REPEAT
| |
|
|
Hiddink - won European Cup with PSV. Photo
sportinglife.com
|
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink is dreaming of another taste
of glory in the Champions League - and feels his squad has the talent
to succeed in Europe.
Hiddink, who has a contract at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season,
won the European Cup when in charge of PSV Eindhoven in 1988.
And ahead of Wednesday's last-16 meeting with Juventus, the Russia coach
has hinted Chelsea are more likely to succeed on the continent than in
the Premier League this term.
Hiddink expects the experienced Blues to be driven by past heartbreak
after losing a penalty shoot-out to Manchester United in last season's
final followed three previous semi-final defeats.
"As a young coach it is kind of a dream to have this cup in your
hands," Hiddink said in the Daily Express.
"When it happened once with me, it gave me such an intense and proud
feeling of joy - you have achieved what you have bee dreaming of. To do
it twice would be yet another dream.
"A team has the best chance of getting there if they have had frequent
experience of getting close to finals, like Chelsea in recent years.
"It is a beautiful road but a very difficult road. But after something
like that there is always a hunger.
"For us the Premier League is very difficult now, but as long as
it's not mathematically decided, the players have an obligation to go
for it.
"But the Champions League path is very attractive. If we can overcome
Juventus then you can see May coming up."
Striker Didier Drogba was sent off as Chelsea lost in Moscow in May, and
he is already thinking about another final appearance.
He told The Sun: "My desire is greater than ever to win it. We lost
two semi-finals and a final.
"It has been a difficult competition for us. Moscow is very difficult
to forget, I still think about it.
"The saddest part for me is the fans. They deserve to win the Champions
League and this year we have to play the same way to get to the final
but this time bring the trophy back to the Bridge.
"I would love to travel back in time and not be sent off in Moscow.
If I was on the pitch I would have taken a penalty.
"I love taking penalties but sometimes you have to accept this is
life."
Sportinglife.com,
24/02/09
|
|
