
Audio By Carbonatix
Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves claims "inconsistent" Chelsea are not favourites to progress to the next round of the Champions League when the teams meet on Tuesday night in a game he has dubbed the "battle of Stamford Bridge".With Bayer Leverkusen already qualified, even in the event of an unlikely defeat against Genk, Chelsea and Valencia will fight it out for the last qualifying place in Group E.The two teams have eight points, one less than Leverkusen, but a defeat for the Germans would still see them prevail in a three-way head-to-head in the event of a draw at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea and Valencia tied 1-1 earlier on in the competition, meaning a goalless draw on Tuesday would see the Blues advance if Leverkusen do not lose to Genk, but any other stalemate will see the Spanish side go through thanks to their superior goal difference.The shot-stopper claims his side are ready for battle and says Chelsea are not favourites to advance."Chelsea are playing at home but for me, they aren't favourites," he told Goal.com."The chances are 50-50 and I'm prepared for the 'battle of Stamford Bridge' - it's normal that Chelsea will attack our area, but Valencia know how to control such situations."The Brazilian also claims Chelsea's inconsistency offers hope to his team and says he is looking forward to meeting Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and former Valencia star Juan Mata."Chelsea have been inconsistent this season and that gives us a big chance, but the players know it will be a tough game over 90 minutes," he said."For me, playing against strikers like Drogba and Torres gives me an added incentive in my work."I played a good game against them in Valencia but Tuesday is a decisive game and it will be different."Mata is a great player as well, but we won't be obsessed by him. We're going to London to win the game."He added: "The game is a real final because one team will be knocked out of the Champions League."That's a real shame, but the calendar has decided this destiny."And the chance to knock out a team like Chelsea is unique, so it would be very sad if we didn't take this opportunity."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
National House of Chiefs mourns passing of Ya-Naa Abukari II
24 minutes -
Flood recovery operations will continue until communities are restored – Ahmed Ibrahim
31 minutes -
EOCO recovers GH¢617.5m stolen funds in 2025
38 minutes -
Oil rises on intensifying US-Iran hostilities, threat of Red Sea closure
1 hour -
TOR refining Jubilee Oil could ease pressure on the cedi – Economist hails structural shift
1 hour -
We cannot wait – Prof. Ebo Turkson urges Mahama to push structural reforms now
2 hours -
Netflix earnings forecast disappoints Wall Street, shares tumble
2 hours -
Blasts reported in Iran as US launches new wave of strikes
2 hours -
Trump Media to sell early access to key social posts
2 hours -
Gold on track for biggest weekly loss in six as Iran war fans inflation worries
3 hours -
Stocks stumble, oil set for weekly gain on renewed Gulf hostilities
3 hours -
Parliament passes Tribunals Bill, 2026
4 hours -
Kris Jenner’s mother Mary Jo dies aged 91
5 hours -
The financial winners and losers from the World Cup
5 hours -
As heatwaves strike, Europeans turn to prized Chinese air-conditioner
6 hours