Ancelotti happy despite stalemate

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted he is pleased with his side despite their profligacy in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with FC Copenhagen.

Chelsea sealed a trip to the Champions League quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge on aggregate after failing to score against the Danish champions.

It was not for lacking of trying, however, with the Blues squandering a number of chances and recording just seven shots on target from a total of 25.

But Ancelotti, who led Chelsea to a 2-0 win in Copenhagen two weeks earlier, insisted he was not concerned by the club’s lack of finish in the second leg.

“Chelsea did not play very well tonight, because we should have taken advantage of at least one of the many chances we created,” Ancelotti said.

“We would have been better that way. In any case we didn’t do badly and we didn’t concede many chances to our opponents. So I am really happy about that.”

“We did not need to score because we won 2-0 in the first leg; what we needed was not to let them score and this way we qualified for the quarter-finals.”

“The players showed a good attitude on the pitch and were focused. We wanted to move into the quarter-finals – remember at the same time last year we were crying and now we are happy.”

Asked if there were any sides he was hoping not face in the last eight, Ancelotti said: “I would like to avoid Barcelona on Friday because they’re the strongest team.”

“Actually, if I could I would put both Barcelona and Manchester United in the other half of the draw so that we could only face them in the final.”

Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken was gracious in defeat and wished Chelsea well in the quarter-finals.

“I can only congratulate Chelsea on going on in this tournament. They were the better team overall, and they also did well tonight,” Solbakken said.

“But I am proud of what we have achieved in this competition. We have played eight games, and we have played well in seven of them.”

“The game at Parken (the first leg against Chelsea) was the performance we were not content with, but in general we have to realise that we were knocked out by a better team.”

“However, it was a magnificent performance to get a goalless draw here. Our central defence was extremely strong, our goalkeeper did well and in general our display was very satisfying.”