Poch tells Chelsea to give fans reason to cheer with Wembley waiting

MAURICIO POCHETTINO wants Stamford Bridge to show it does not have the match-day atmosphere of a ‘mausoleum on a rainy Monday’ as Chelsea try to overturn a deficit in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough. Michael Carrick’s team won the first leg 1-0 at the Riverside as the Blues failed to translate chances into goals. Tonight they have a chance to right that wrong and reach Wembley. Chelsea icon Pat Nevin compared Stamford Bridge to a graveyard in a BBC column this week, adding: ‘Quite fitting as there is a cemetery just behind the main stand.’ In response, Pochettino said: ‘Some games the fans were very good. Other games it was a little bit flat. But it’s normal because we started the season with massive expectations. ‘It’s normal they can feel a little disappointed. But this is a semi-final with the possibility to go to Wembley. Our fans are going to be really motivated to help the team. ‘The team need to translate the good energy from the fans to be motivated. We need to send the first signal that we care, that we want to go to the final. We need to be ready to fight and not complain. If the fans see this energy, they will be behind us.’

Christopher Nkunku is one of nine players who will not feature after a setback in his recovery from injury, with Pochettino admitting Chelsea need to cool the heat on themselves by staging a comeback. ‘It is really important because it is a possibility to win a trophy and — yes, I agree — to maybe reduce the pressure on some players,’ said the Blues manager. ‘It is a passport to go to the final, to visit Wembley. It’s a really important game for us.’ Carrick, meanwhile, is delighted to be creating ‘fairytales’ and ‘dreams’ at Middlesbrough. ‘Part of football is creating hopes and dreams and the passion and excitement, the fairytale,’ said the Boro boss, who won the competition three times as a player with Manchester United. ‘I was the same when I was a supporter. It is very different when you are in it. You have to be concentrated and a bit more business-like. That doesn’t take away the buzz and excitement. ‘But certainly the supporters should be dreaming and making the most of it.’