Michael Ballack reveals Chelsea stars held summit to end set-piece blunders

Simon Johnson
20 Oct 2009

Michael Ballack has revealed Chelsea's players have held crisis talks in a bid to sort out their poor defending at set-pieces.

Chelsea have lost their last two away games against Wigan and Aston Villa in the Premier League after conceding three sloppy goals from corner kicks.

That weakness cost the club in the title race last term, when they dropped a number of points between November and February under previous manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was then sacked.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti made the squad work overtime in training yesterday on defending set-pieces as they prepare for tomorrow's Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.

And Ballack admitted the players have also had words with each other to ensure they stop repeating mistakes.

The 33-year-old midfielder said: “We have no problem criticising each other in the dressing room. A good team and strong players must do this and we have. After that we shake hands and go back on the training pitch.

“I think I have to do this, not just because of my age. I have a few years behind me and I have been through a few situations. I have to speak to help the team but not just me, everyone has to take responsibility.

“We trained on set-piece situations but it is all about individual mistakes. It is a little unusual for us to concede two goals in one game the way we did against Aston Villa. That is why we were all disappointed afterwards.

“We watched the video of the match and everyone can see who made the mistakes. That is football, somebody has to make the mistakes.

“We have to be aware. Everyone has to improve their movement and defensive organisation. It is a point of personal attitude.”

John Terry was caught by the television cameras, after an unmarked James Collins scored Villa's second goal in their 2-1 win on Saturday, having a furious rant at his team-mates.

But Ballack added: “His reaction on the pitch shows he takes a big responsibility. Not just for himself but for the team. That is what you need in a captain and you need the players to see it can't happen again.”

Keeper Petr Cech was one of the players at fault for that goal after he allowed Ashley Young's corner kick to float straight over his head.

It is not the first time he has made a mistake this season as Stoke scored their goal in a 2-1 defeat last month after the Czech international failed to collect a cross, while he conceded a penalty and was sent off in the loss at Wigan.

But Ancelotti insists Cech has his full backing and said: “Petr is in good condition. He has had a fantastic approach to when he plays. He takes a lot of risks because he likes to go up and catch the ball. Sometimes you can make a mistake but I like that he goes to catch it.”

Chelsea go into tomorrow's match at Stamford Bridge as strong favourites to secure their third straight win in the European competition. The Spanish club have won just one game in La Liga this season and also boast the worst defensive record.

Ballack believes the match offers a great opportunity for Chelsea to get back to winning ways and go a step closer to securing their place in the knock-out phase.

He added: “We don't feel the pressure. We have experience and we have a good situation in the group after winning both games. Everyone knows what we have to do but it is a dangerous match because Atletico didn't start the season well and everyone expects us to win.

“The past shows we always play well in Europe and have reached many semi-finals. We believe in ourselves and we need to do the same again.”
Jose Bosingwa has been ruled out with a knee problem but should be fit to face Blackburn on Saturday.