Chelsea midfielder has praised today’s opponent and main title rival Tottenham ahead of a very tight game in the FA Cup semi-final this afternoon.
The Blues are facing the Spurs for the third time this season, winning the first occasion 2-1 at home before suffering a bitter 2-0 defeat away at White Hart Lane at the very start of the year.
Now the stakes are higher than before as another team will be given the ticket for the FA Cup final, while the other one has to move on as quick as possible and reignite their focus on the league.
Of course, Chelsea are the one that’s looking for a double in the league and Cup glory, with Spurs determined to do their everything to avoid finishing second for the Blues in both competitions.
Talking to the club’s official webiste, Nemanja Matic has warned Chelsea of the ‘toughest fixture’ this season, but assertively relying on the Blues’ preparation for the clash.
“They are very good, for me maybe the strongest in the Premier League from the opponents we have faced this season.
They are hard to play against because they are strong physically and they can also play with the ball. So we must be ready for that, to stop them and to play our game.
Every game is different but we know they are going to be aggressive. They have many good players and we have to be ready for that. We have trained well this week and I am sure we will be.”
Matic also suggests that the winner in today’s tie could be having a slight psychological boost regarding the remaining six league games.
Chelsea are on top of the pile but just four points away from Tottenham, who are confident of reaching their bitter rivals inside the last fixtures.
“Maybe [the winners could land a psychological blow] – we will see about that.
After the semi-final we have to focus on the Premier League. We have six games left and five we have to win if we want to be champions. That is all we players will think about, whatever happens at Wembley.
But really we want to be in the final and we will try to do everything to be there.
Most of this team have not won the FA Cup and we would like to win it. We also know it is something special for the people. We are confident we can do it.”
Chelsea were defeated 2-0 at Old Trafford last Sunday, but Matic claims the team are already far past that addressing their full concentration on today’s game.
“We have already forgotten last Sunday’s game. That is important because a new game brings new challenges and that is what we have to focus on. It is the same when we win.
We know we will have to play better than last weekend and I think we will. I am feeling good and the atmosphere at Cobham has been good. We are ready.”
– Nemanja Matic, Chelsea’s official website
