Alonso’s European pedigree

MARCOS ALONSO’S grandfather used to tell him that winning the European Cup was easy – after all, he managed it five times.

A season-defining week for Chelsea began on Saturday with an edgy but welcome home win over Crystal Palace to keep them in the chase for the top four.

Their attention now turns to the Champions League and Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, with the

CHELSEA C PALACE

sides level on the first leg.

The Alonso clan know all about Barcelona – and how to win Europe’s most coveted prize.

Marcos’ late grandfather, Marcos Alonso Imaz, spent eight seasons playing in Real Madrid’s greatest side, winning five 1-1 after European Cups between 1955-1960. And Marcos’ father, Marcos Alonso Pena, played for Barcelona for five years.

The Chelsea defender said: “Who is my dad’s favourite player, me or Lionel Messi? Me, obviously! What my grandfather did is extra motivation, something to look at and admire. But five is difficult.

“He used to say it was easy though, because he was a centre-back. He just used to get the ball back and give it to [Alfredo] Di Stefano, [Francisco] Gento, or [Ferenc] Puskas.”

Against lowly Palace, Chelsea were superb as they surged into a 2-0 lead with a deflected Willian strike and Martin Kelly own goal before being forced to hang on nervously after Patrick Van Aanholt’s late goal.

Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: “We won’t go gently out of the league if we’re going to. We’ll make it a fight.”