Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has criticised the English Football Association’s schedule for the FA Cup semi-finals.
Chelsea will take on Tottenham on Sunday April 15, just three days before a possible Champions League semi-final against either Barcelona or AC Milan.
Di Matteo believes the FA Cup match could have been played earlier that weekend to help his team prepare for the Champions League game.
“First of all we have to qualify for the semi-final, but on the other hand we have tried to communicate with the FA and co-operate, so it’s disappointing, I would say, that common sense hasn’t prevailed,” Di Matteo said.
“I probably would have been happy with a Friday night kick-off.
“We have tried to co-operate with the authorities and given our point of view but it seems it hasn’t been taken into consideration.”
Chelsea claimed a 1-0 victory at Benfica in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, putting Di Matteo’s side in the box seat to qualify for the next stage.
The interim manager, who took over from former boss Andre Villas-Boas at the beginning of the month, has now switched his focus to the Premier League.
Chelsea’s next match is away to Aston Villa and a win will be crucial to their chances of finishing fourth and seizing the subsequent Champions League qualification spot.
With fourth-placed Tottenham not playing until Sunday against Swansea City, Chelsea can put pressure on their London rivals with victory at Villa Park.
Due to their involvement in three separate competitions, Di Matteo is being forced to pick a different side each game to keep the west London side fresh.
Defender Branislav Ivanovic is fit again after missing the past two matches, while midfielder Raul Meireles will not play on Saturday.
“Ivanovic will be available for tomorrow, he has come through training fine,” Di Matteo said.
“The only doubt is Meireles who picked up a knock the other night (in Lisbon), everybody else is OK.
“He’s got a knock just above his knee so it shouldn’t be too serious but he’s not ready for tomorrow.”
Source:
http://www.soccernews.com
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