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Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session in Manchester on Wednesday. (AFP) |
Cobham: Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho said on Wednesday that beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final could not erase the memory of losing their Premier League crown to Alex Ferguson’s side.
The two rivals meet at the new Wembley Stadium on Saturday with United still celebrating having ended Chelsea’s two-year run as English champions.
“To win it would be fantastic but I don’t think we can say that this game will make us forget what has happened in the season,” Mourinho told a news conference.
“This is something we’ve been chasing a lot — from the first day we wanted to be there at the Cup final.
“Chelsea were at the last Cup final at the old Wembley,” he said, referring to their victory over Aston Villa in 2000. “And we’ve done everything to deserve to be there (again).
“We have to play this final with happiness, and not any kind of pressure.”
Mourinho’s side has won two Premier League titles and a second League Cup in February since the Portuguese coach took over in 2004. Now he wants to complete his set of domestic trophies.
“It’s the only title our group hasn’t won in the years we’ve been together and it’s a special time because it’s the Cup at the new Wembley.
“I’m not English, but for me it means a lot.
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“Remembering my youth, there were a few trophies I always wanted to win and a few matches I wanted to participate in and the FA Cup final was one of them. And for the players it’s no different.”
One problem facing Chelsea’s preparations is what Mourinho called: “Too many injuries.”
Midfielder Michael Ballack, striker Andriy Shevchenko and defender Ricardo Carvalho are all out and midfielder John Obi Mikel is a major injury doubt.
“John Obi Mikel is a big risk,” said the Chelsea coach. “In a final you have 90 intense minutes and then a chance of playing another 30.”
Left back Ashley Cole and winger Arjen Robben are also short of full match fitness after ankle and knee problems, respectively, and Mourinho said neither could last a full 90 minutes.