Ancelotti expects troubled Terry to get back on track

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

LONDON, Feb 28, 2010 (AFP) - Carlo Ancelotti insists he still has faith in John Terry despite the Chelsea captain's recent dip in form.

Terry again looked below his best as his side slumped to a 4-2 home defeat to Manchester City on Saturday in a heated fixture that brought the centre-back face to face with former England colleague Wayne Bridge.

The two men had not met since allegations emerged about Terry's relationship with Bridge's former partner Vanessa Perroncel.

And the fall out led to Fabio Capello stripping Terry of the England captaincy and Bridge's recent declaration that he cannot face returning to the national squad.

Terry was not alone in appearing below par and having suffered a Champions League defeat to Inter Milan midweek, Ancelotti's side again looked vulnerable at the back with Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy both scoring twice.

A miserable day was completed by the second half sendings off of Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack, but Chelsea manager Ancelotti insists there is no reason to panic with his side one point clear at the top of the Premier League table.

"We made mistakes and usually in football when you make a mistake, you lose the game," Ancelotti said.

"Now we have to look forward and maintain a good control of our confidence.

"We are still at the top of the list. It is only one point but this is not bad. This is the only good thing of this match.

"This is not a good day for us but we have to maintain trust in our quality."

Bridge had refused to shake Terry's hand before kick-off but Ancelotti insists his players were fully focused on the game.

"I don't think my players were distracted. The City players weren't distracted and also our players weren't interested.

"John Terry has made mistakes, but not in this match. There is no reason to leave him out. He is our captain.

"It was not a good day for discipline because we could have avoided some behaviour on the pitch and avoided having two players sent off. Ballack made a mistake."

Blues goalkeeper Hilario had an erratic game in place of the injured Petr Cech and Ancelotti is hopeful his regular number one will be back soon after a calf injury.

Ancelotti said: "We have some players injured and we have to work to give them a good recovery. We hope Cech will be back before four weeks."

City manager Roberto Mancini admitted he was pleased for Bridge after a trying few weeks and offered hope the full back might reverse his decision to quit the international set-up.

"I am happy for Wayne Bridge," said Mancini. "It was a good performance and he played well.

"I hope Wayne Bridge can play for the national team. I am sorry for the situation because every player wants to play for his country.

"But it is his decision and I don't know why he won't change his mind."

Mancini singled Tevez out for praise after the striker played less than 24 hours after returning from a break in Argentina following the premature birth of his daughter.

"Maybe I will send Carlo Tevez back to Argentina for another two weeks and then pick him on the day he comes back!," he added.

City now lie fourth and Mancini believes this result could be a turning point.

He said: "Football is strange. This result could change our season. We are playing for fourth with Spurs, Aston Villa and Liverpool."