Zico: Fener Won't Fear Chelsea

Fenerbahçe manager Arthur Zico says his side will be respectful and wary of Chelsea but certainly won't fear them. The Turks are aiming for a knock-out.

The two sides were drawn to face each other in the Champions League quarter-finals.

On paper Fenerbahçe were one of the easier opponents in the hat but Zico is determined to make Chelsea work hard.

Cup Shocks

Pointing to Chelsea's recent cup defeats against Tottenham and Barnsley he illustrated that favourties don't always win football matches, but nevertheless stressed that neither complacency nor awe would grip his side.

"What happened to Chelsea against Barnsley and Spurs won’t fool me because those results are typical of cup football in England," the Brazilian commented when asked if recent results made this an easy tie for the Turkish side.

“In fact, Chelsea will be hungrier for the Champions League now. But we won’t fear Chelsea one bit. Why would we be afraid of Chelsea after we have beaten Inter Milan?”

Home Advantage

The first leg of the tie will take place in Istanbul and Zico knows it is there, in a simmering atmosphere, that Fenerbahçe must make their mark. “We have yet to lose at home in Europe this season and that gives us great confidence.”

Jimmy James