Scolari treating Carling Cup seriously
Scolari treating Carling Cup seriously
Jose Felipe Scolari refuses to undermine the importance of the Carling Cup and is likely to field a strong Chelsea side against Portsmouth in tonight’s third round clash at Fratton Park.
The Brazilian boss is without midfielder Deco and centre-back Ricardo Carvalho as the pair were injured before and during the Blues’ clash with Manchester United last weekend.
Scolari, also without Michael Essien for the tie, is wary of Portsmouth bouncing back after the south-coast giants were mauled 6-0 by Manchester City last week.
He said: “To expect a reaction from Portsmouth is normal. Managers always want a reaction after they lose some games and this game was a disaster for Portsmouth.
“It is not normal and Portsmouth last season won the FA Cup, they are a very good team, they have big players.”
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will consider whether to field his first choice strike force of Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch or give deputies Kanu and Ben Sahar a run out.
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