Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has accused his old side of producing a “gutless” display against Manchester United.
United ran out 1-0 winners in Wednesday night’s first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, meaning Chelsea have it all to do when they travel to Old Trafford for the return leg.
And Wilkins, who was axed by the Blues earlier this season, pulled no punches while assessing the performance.
He told Al Jazeera Sport: “Chelsea didn't deserve anything. Despite the penalty appeal, the correct result was Manchester United won and they deserved it.
“Chelsea can't be any worse in the return leg. They have to be better and they have to play with more life. There was no life. They were, and I hate to say it, gutless. I was very disappointed in them.
“The Champions League is their only opportunity of winning something because they're out of the Premier League race. They never got going. There was no zest, no fizz.
“I was surprised Ancelotti went 4-4-2. I thought he'd have gone 4-3-3 and tied the middle of the pitch up with (Michael) Essien, (Frank) Lampard and Ramires.
“He didn't and it allowed United to do what they wanted to do. It was a mistake.
“I'd have gone three in the middle to tighten things up early and make it Chelsea's game, rather than letting United creep in.”