Benitez Denies Feeling Depressed
Chelsea interim manager, Rafael Benitez, on Monday denied feeling pressure increases towards the Club World Cup in Japan, even though his team was eliminated from the Champions League in the first round last week.
London club, appeared at the intercontinental event for the first time, will face Mexican club Monterrey in the semi-final at Yokohama International Stadium on Thursday.
They came into the tournament after win over Sunderland on Saturday - a victory that put an end to poor results, including two draws and a defeat in the first three games Benitez since replacing Roberto Di Matteo.
It also comes days after the Blues into the Champions League champions failed to get past the first group stage of Europe's premier competition.
"I do not feel depressed," said Benitez, who won the Club World Cup when he became coach of Inter Milan two years ago.
"I have some experience and I want to enjoy every minute here and do my best and try to win," said the Spaniard, in a press conference in Yokohama.
If it wins against CONCACAF champions, Chelsea will face South American champions Corinthians, or Al-Ahly of Egypt in the final on December 16.
Benitez, who was fired five days after leading Inter to win in 2010, said his team's games in Japan provide a great opportunity to gather some degree.
"Everyone at the club has the same idea as me: to win every trophy that we can," said the 52-year-old coach.
"We have this opportunity now. Does not matter if we were in the Champions League or not.'s Very important for us."
London club, appeared at the intercontinental event for the first time, will face Mexican club Monterrey in the semi-final at Yokohama International Stadium on Thursday.
They came into the tournament after win over Sunderland on Saturday - a victory that put an end to poor results, including two draws and a defeat in the first three games Benitez since replacing Roberto Di Matteo.
It also comes days after the Blues into the Champions League champions failed to get past the first group stage of Europe's premier competition.
"I do not feel depressed," said Benitez, who won the Club World Cup when he became coach of Inter Milan two years ago.
"I have some experience and I want to enjoy every minute here and do my best and try to win," said the Spaniard, in a press conference in Yokohama.
If it wins against CONCACAF champions, Chelsea will face South American champions Corinthians, or Al-Ahly of Egypt in the final on December 16.
Benitez, who was fired five days after leading Inter to win in 2010, said his team's games in Japan provide a great opportunity to gather some degree.
"Everyone at the club has the same idea as me: to win every trophy that we can," said the 52-year-old coach.
"We have this opportunity now. Does not matter if we were in the Champions League or not.'s Very important for us."
