Abu Dhabi: Sergio Aguero has warned English Premier League leaders Chelsea that he and his Manchester City teammates are confident of victory at Stamford Bridge a week on Saturday, despite their insipid surrender to Arsenal on Sunday.
Aguero and City are in Abu Dhabi this week for warm-weather training and a friendly against German side Hamburg on Wednesday, a stint which they believe will be vital in reviving their flagging EPL title-defence.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men slipped five points behind Chelsea in the league after a lacklustre 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal, but Aguero insisted morale remains high in the City camp. Speaking at a press conference at the Ritz Carlton hotel on Tuesday, the Argentinian striker said: “The team is enjoying a high level of confidence. Yes, the result at the weekend was not the best, but we think we have a great opportunity with the game coming up with Chelsea to turn things around.”
Midfielder Fernando echoed Aguero’s optimism, describing the forthcoming clash with Jose Mourinho’s all-conquering outfit as ‘a very important game for us’.
The Brazilian said: “They have a very good team, but we are going to go there confident that we can score and have a good result.”
He added that the club’s trip to the UAE would afford City crucial regenerative benefits following Sunday’s capitulation to the Gunners. Japanese car manufacturer Nissan, meanwhile, was unveiled as the official automotive partner of the club on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old, who arrived at the club last summer from Porto, said: “We want to recuperate our strength and feel good vibes and the warmth of the people here. It’s also a good week for us to learn lessons and go back to the UK and play even better.”
Fellow Brazilian Fernandinho agreed that City were delighted to be back at the home of their Abu Dhabi owners for the first time since last May.
“We of course love this place,” he said. “It’s a very pleasant city, with a fantastic climate. We believe being here will help us renovate our strength.”
Looking ahead, he said victory at home to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday would be essential in ensuring that they travel to Chelsea in high spirits.
The midfielder added: “This week is critical to help us organise the team and repair some of the areas we failed in on Sunday, so that we come to the next games a lot more prepared.”
City are not confining their thoughts to domestic matters, either, with Aguero admitting he cannot wait for the Blues’ tantalising Champions League last-16 encounter with Barcelona next month.
Their top goalscorer this season with 19 goals in all competitions said: “It will be an important game for me because I will be playing against my great friend Lionel Messi. But the second we step on the field, that friendliness disappears.
“The club has invested a lot of money to reach as high as possible in the Champions League, although we know this is going to be a very tough game.”