Ancelotti hails Anelka’s display in Chelsea’s Champions League opener

LONDON - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has said striker Nicolas Anelka was the key to his side’s 4-1 win over MSK Zilina in their Champions League group game.

Anelka set up Michael Essien’s 13th-minute opener before scoring twice himself.

“Nicolas was the key to this win. He created space, had chances and played a fantastic game. He can play the position in front but sometimes we use him out wide and sometimes he plays in the middle,” The Sun quoted Ancelotti, as saying.

“But, no matter where he plays, he shows the same skills. Every Champions League game is tough to play. We started very well in the first half and played some fantastic football but the second half was different.”

“After the break, Zilina put more pressure on our defence, but the back four had a good match,” he added.

Ancelotti was also happy with the defensive performance.

“Every game in the Champions League is hard to play. We started very well in the first half, we played fantastic football, the second half was different,” Ancelotti said.

“Zilina put more pressure on our defence. The back four did a good match,” he added. (ANI)