Drogba: I’m in the form of my career
ATLETICO MADRID (2) vs CHELSEA (2)
DIDIER DROGBA insisted he was in the form of his life as he powered Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League with a clinical double strike.
The Ivorian hitman returned from a three-match European suspension to fire two goals in the last eight minutes and help the Blues come back from behind against the Spanish hosts.
Atletico striker Sergio Aguero, tipped by many to join Drogba in the Blues attack in January, denied the Blues a fourth straight group stage win with a late equaliser to add to his earlier opener.
Drogba’s brace takes his tally to 12 for the season, and the 31-year-old believes he is perfect nick ahead of Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Asked if he felt he was in the form of his life, Drogba said: “I think so. A few years ago I was playing with the same confidence. It’s always easier when you are playing injury-free.”
“I think we were also thinking about Manchester United tonight but we did everything we had to do today,” he added. “Now we can focus on Sunday because it’s very important to beat them United at home.
“We have to show different qualities and be better than today. Today was far from a good performance, we played well but were not good enough to win.”
Argentina star Aguero volleyed the hosts a shot lead on 66 minutes before Drogba headed home Florent Malouda’s cross eight minutes from time. Drogba looked to have snatched victory when racing clear to fire past keeper Sergio Asenjo, before Aguero brilliantly curled home a 25-yard free-kick in the dying seconds to deny Chelsea victory.
Blues boss Ancelotti added afterwards: “I’m happy because we are in the next phase of the Champions League and this is important.”