Juan Mata believes Champions League nights have taken on added importance after the Blues’ 2011/12 triumph.
Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata says Champions League nights are even more special following the club’s dramatic victory two seasons ago.
The Blues upset to odds to beat favourites Bayern Munich in the Germans’ own stadium to lift the trophy at the end of the 2011/12 season and Mata, influential in the victory, says the competition has taken on added importance since the triumph.
The West London outfit suffered their first domestic defeat of the season at Everton on Sunday and Mata, 25, also believes Wednesday’s clash with FC Basle at Stamford Bridge will prove the perfect tonic.
“As I said before, after one defeat you just want the next match to come as soon as possible, and probably the Champions League is the best way,” the former Valencia man wrote on his personal blog.
“I really want to live a night like this at Stamford Bridge. It’s a different feeling, even more since we won the title two years ago. This competition brings great memories to all of us and makes us feel really excited.”
After failing to progress past the Champions League group stage, Chelsea beat Basle in the Europa League semi-final last term and went on the lift the trophy.
Mata says he is looking forward to a reunion with the talented Swiss outfit.
“Talking about good memories, our rival will be Basilea, from Switzerland, the one we played in the Europa League semifinals. I’m looking forward to play at home again and I hope we win so we can face the next Premier League game with a good taste.
“The next few weeks ahead are very intense: 5 games in just 14 days. In order to get ready for them is very important to get confidence and to be positive.”
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