BOLO ZENDEN is banking on the boiling passion of the Kop to make life too hot to bear for Chelsea.Anfield will be throbbing for tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final, second leg.
And Liverpool’s ex-Blues midfielder Zenden is sure some of Jose Mourinho’s men will crack under the pressure.
The Dutchman, his side 1-0 down from last week’s first leg, said: “I know Anfield will be boiling for this match.
“It will be a fantastic atmosphere and some Chelsea players will feel the pressure.
“We want our fans to spur us on and give us that extra bit we might need to overturn the deficit.
“There is no place like Anfield on a European night.”
Most of Rafa Benitez’s big guns will be fresh as daisies for the monster Euro return.
While Chelsea were suffering a major blow to their Premiership title ambitions against Bolton, the majority of the Merseysiders’ first-teamers were putting their feet up back home instead of travelling to what was almost a meaningless 2-1 defeat for Liverpool at Portsmouth.
Zenden, one of only four players on duty at Fratton Park who played in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, is desperate to make amends for the Champions League semi-final defeat he suffered with Barcelona in 2000.
He added: “Chelsea had a blow to their title ambitions, though the main thing is to focus on ourselves.
“I’m sure we are capable of a good performance, hopefully like the ones against Barcelona. I played in the semi-final for Barcelona against Valencia. We lost 4-1 in the first game and no one really believed we would turn it around at the Nou Camp.
“It’s not a nice feeling being on the losing side in any competition. But it is even worse in a European semi-final.”
Mourinho has told his players they can turn into his ‘Incredibles’.
The Quadruple looks to have gone, thanks to Chelsea’s title slip-up in the 2-2 draw with Bolton while Manchester United were coming from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at Everton.
But boss Mourinho still has his sights on the Treble of knockout cups.
He insisted: “They have still achieved a lot and have a lot they can win. They have a big chance on Tuesday to make history and do something incredible for their careers and for this club.
“We have won two titles in England in the previous two seasons and we keep trying to get the Treble.
“If we can reach another final in the Champions League, like we have reached two already this season in the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, and be second in the Premiership that will be an unbelievable feeling.
“I have already had my team-talk. I wanted them to remember where we are and what we are doing and what we have to do. It is very important to be strong mentally and to understand the big game we are playing on Tuesday. That’s the best way to forget what has been happening.
“Of course they were devastated. But Liverpool should also be devastated, as they are third in the Premiership and had lost the title in January.
“So, maybe that makes the game between us even bigger.”
Chelsea will be seriously hampered by the loss of key defender Ricardo Carvalho to a knee injury. German midfielder Michael Ballack is also out, following an ankle operation possibly carried out without his club’s permission.
Mourinho has not yet conceded the title to United but admitted he was ‘sad’ as it was nearly gone.
He said: “Mathematically there is a chance and when the chance is there you have to believe and chase the opportunity you have. But Manchester United are very, very close.”
“We have won two titles in England in the previous two seasons and we keep trying to get the Treble.
“If we can reach another final in the Champions League, like we have reached two already this season in the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, and be second in the Premiership that will be an unbelievable feeling.
“I have already had my team-talk. I wanted them to remember where we are and what we are doing and what we have to do. It is very important to be strong mentally and to understand the big game we are playing on Tuesday. That’s the best way to forget what has been happening.
“Of course they were devastated. But Liverpool should also be devastated, as they are third in the Premiership and had lost the title in January.
“So, maybe that makes the game between us even bigger.”
Chelsea will be seriously hampered by the loss of key defender Ricardo Carvalho to a knee injury. German midfielder Michael Ballack is also out, following an ankle operation possibly carried out without his club’s permission.
Mourinho has not yet conceded the title to United but admitted he was ‘sad’ as it was nearly gone.
He said: “Mathematically there is a chance and when the chance is there you have to believe and chase the opportunity you have. But Manchester United are very, very close.”
By:DAVE KIDD and SHAUN CUSTIS
Date:30 April 2007
Credit:www.thesun.co.uk
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