Roberto Di Matteo only has eyes on three crucial Champions League points when the Schalke coach welcomes Chelsea to the Veltins Arena.
Having won several honours with the Blues as both a player and manager, with the 2012 European Cup the jewel in the crown, the spotlight will be on Di Matteo as he looks to outmanoeuvre counterpart Jose Mourinho – the man who has yet to deliver
But the 44-year-old Italian is only worried about keeping up Schalke’s chances of reaching the knockout stages of this year’s competition, with his side currently second to Chelsea in Group G.
“I had a very good time as a player and as a manager in London. I spent many years of my life there and I am still in contact with some of the people and the players,” he told reporters.
“But there’s no time for sentimentality. The match is Schalke against Chelsea and I want to win with Schalke against Chelsea.”
A win for the Premier League pace-setters would see them seal progression out of the group whilst a defeat could leave Schalke open to being caught by either Sporting Lisbon or Maribor.
“The group is still wide open. Every team has the chance to reach the knockout round," Di Matteo continued.
"Chelsea haven’t lost a competitive game so far this season and have a lot of quality in their squad.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho was in no mood to talk about Di Matteo’s achievements and instead focused on delivering a stark warning to his own troops.
“I am not here to speak about Roberto Di Matteo, I am here to speak about the game,” he said.
“The reality is we need points. I think this team is in a state of its evolution where to go into the Europa
League would be very bad.
“We need points to play in the Champions League and that is why we are here, we are here to get points.”
