Liam Emerson
Sport News 24/7Ferguson eyes first leg advantage
By Liam Emerson, on 6th April 2011, 12:30 UTC
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Manchester United to progress in the Champions League - if they gain an advantage in the quarter-final first leg at Chelsea.
United's manager will send his side out to score goals at Stamford Bridge in order to put them in a strong position for the return leg in Manchester.
"If we go back to Old Trafford with some advantage, we will be very difficult to beat," said Ferguson. "The name of the game is to go back with a goal or maybe two."
"On this occasion, I was quite happy to get the second leg at Old Trafford. It will be a magnificent atmosphere there."
United go into Wednesday's first leg without an away win over Chelsea for nine years. On 1 March theylost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League and their captain Nemanja Vidic was sent off.
Ferguson played down that record and stated: "The last few years have been poor in terms of results but we have played well."
But Vidic believes Chelsea's recent record against his team gives them the advantage.
"They have an edge because they had good ones [results] against us," said Vidic. But this is the Champions League. The name of the game on Wednesday is to get an away goal. Our performances at Chelsea in the last two or three years have been really good. We have played some good football but in the end, we didn't get good results. Now I am thinking we should play badly and win."
UEFA Champions League tickets are available online
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