LAZ YER LOT
SALAS WRITES OFF CHELSEA
Lazio striker Marcelo Salas has dismissed European Cup bid-even before yesterday's drubbing at Sunderland.
The Chilean has tipped Manchester United to be the major force in the Champions League insisting Gianluca Vialli's luck will run out.
Salas whose team host the Londoners on Tuesday night said
"I think Chelsea have been very fortunate -thay haven't faced a strong team as yet.
"AC Milan were very poor -they hardly gave Chelsea a match in the two games"
"I think Chelsea have too many weaknesses and better teams like us will exploit them to the full"
"We have no fear of Chelsea .We have played and beaten Manchester United in the Super Cup and they are a far better all-round side"
Needless to say Salas opinion is dismissed by Italian hitman Gianfranco Zola- despite last night's 2-0 win at Perugia for Lazio.
He said "We have proved ourselfs in Europe when some people thought we could struggle.
Our league form has been disappointing, but we have played with a great deal of heart in the Champions League"
"Why should we fear Lazio? of course they are a good side , a team everybody believes will be a major contender.
But at some stage we have to face stronger teams in this competition -and now is a good time as any"
"We know it will be a tough test for us, we will face a hostile crowd, we will be playing in a unfamiliar enviroment, but we are not daunted by the prospect"
"We have not even thought about playing fo the draw, we believe we can go there and get the right result"
Vialli has told Roberto Di Matteo to rebuild his Chelsea career and forget about any ideas about leaving the club.
Di Matteo will almost certainly be denied the chance to face his old club on Tuesday but Vialli dismisses claims that the Italian International wants to move after losing his regular first-team place.
The Chelsea boss said " I have regular meetings with my players and obviously I have talked with Roberto, I know what he wants and I can say we are on the same wavelength"
"Other people are perfectly aware that he hasn't played much this season and they think he wants to leave"
"But Roberto has the desire to get back into the team and become one of the best midfield players in Europe and I am happy for him to stay -but i might let him go for £20 Million! "
Vialli loves returning to his home country but he has forbidden any member of his family to watch Chelsea in the Olympic Staduim.
Dad Gianfranco lives near Cremona and all the family love watching Chelsea but Vialli said "I dont want them to suffer or get too tense being in the stadium.
They are proud of what I have done in England but I think that they can enjoy it much more by watching it on television"
"If things do go wrong and they are at home they can just go to bed
and cry"
Bill Mills
Sunday Mirror