Juan Mata
says Chelsea must use recent disappointments as a source of motivation
as they bid to set up an FA Cup quarter-final glamour tie with
Manchester United.
The European champions
visit second-tier Middlesbrough in the fifth round on Wednesday, three
days after a 2-0 loss at Manchester City that left them seven points
adrift of the top two in the Premier League.
It
leaves UEFA Champions League qualification as Chelsea's only realistic
objective in the league this season, but they remain in contention for
honours in both the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
The
draw for the last eight in the FA Cup dealt Rafael Benitez's side a
possible trip to Old Trafford in the next round and Mata believes that
should provide enough motivation to cast recent setbacks into the shade.
Writing on his official blog, blogs.grada360.com/juanmata, the Spain midfielder said: "We're sorry for our fans.
"The
way to overcome the disappointment is winning again, and this coming
Wednesday we have an opportunity to move one step forward in the FA Cup.
"We
can still win two titles. That, plus getting a ticket to play the next
Champions League, is our motivation with a view to the rest of the
season and we will fight for those goals until the end, like this club
has always done."
Interim Chelsea coach
Benitez has complained that his club are "playing too many games" at the
moment and he seems likely to shuffle his pack for the trip to the
Riverside Stadium.
Striker Fernando Torres
and club captain John Terry will both hope to start, having been named
on the substitutes' bench for the defeat at City.
Cup specialists Boro aim high
Middlesbrough, FA Cup quarter-finalists five times since the turn of the century, are also seeking distraction from poor league form.
Middlesbrough, FA Cup quarter-finalists five times since the turn of the century, are also seeking distraction from poor league form.
The
north-east club have lost seven of their nine Championship games to
date this year and slipped out of the play-off places after losing 2-1
at home to Millwall on Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to it. It is a one-off that will lift the tensions of the Championship season," said manager Tony Mowbray.
"I hope the supporters turn up, but it's their hard-earned money and you can't tell them that they have to come.
"However, we will need a great atmosphere and hope the players find a performance to make the fans proud."
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