Branislav Ivanovic warns Manchester United: You have improved but don't forget that Chelsea were on fire at start of last season
The Serbian recognises that Sunday's trip to Old Trafford to face the free-scoring champions is his club's toughest test of the season so far, but says they will go there to win
Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that Manchester United have improved this season but warned that Chelsea began last season in equally imperious form only to end up empty-handed.
The Chelsea defender's team travel to Old Trafford on Sunday for a clash that resumes the rivalry between the two clubs who have shared the last seven Premier League titles.
"United have started the season very well," said Ivanovic. "But, if you remember, we started last season the same. Of course they have improved but we have our aims, our ideas and will try and show these on the pitch.
"It is going to be the hardest game for us until now, a big test for us. We will have to show more than 100 per cent of our power."
United have convincingly won all four of their Premier League games this season, and, although Chelsea are only two points behind their rivals in the league and opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, Ivanovic admits it will be tough against a side that knocked them out of Europe at the quarter-final stage last season.
"We have to take motivation from these two games that we lose," Ivanovic explained.
"Psychologically, for both teams it is a very important game. There are three points but every tackle, every pass, everything matters.
"Last season was a different situation because we had to go there and win. When you play a big game away and you have to win, psychologically it is different. Now, we are going there to show our best football and get the best result.
"I don't know if a draw will be a good result. It depends how the game goes but we are always looking every game to win. Of course, we have strong opponents and will see what happens.
"This is important not to let the gap grow. It is good for us to be close to the first position but we can also go top after this game."
Ivanovic also added his voice to those from the Chelsea camp in support of Fernando Torres, who set up both of the team's goals against Leverkusen but extended his miserable scoring record for the club to one goal in 23 games.
He said: "It is important to play like a team and not look at individual statistics. We know that and we are looking to work for the team.
"Fernando gave us great assists. It's good for his confidence to assist the goals. We are looking good, that is the main thing."
Torres unselfishly laid on the second goal for Juan Mata, despite being in a one-on-one situation with the Leverkusen goalkeeper.
"Fernando's pass is a football pass," he said. "It is great that we scored from this. It is unusual. As a striker he was one against one with the keeper and passed to Mata."
The Serbian recognises that Sunday's trip to Old Trafford to face the free-scoring champions is his club's toughest test of the season so far, but says they will go there to win
Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that Manchester United have improved this season but warned that Chelsea began last season in equally imperious form only to end up empty-handed.
The Chelsea defender's team travel to Old Trafford on Sunday for a clash that resumes the rivalry between the two clubs who have shared the last seven Premier League titles.
"United have started the season very well," said Ivanovic. "But, if you remember, we started last season the same. Of course they have improved but we have our aims, our ideas and will try and show these on the pitch.
"It is going to be the hardest game for us until now, a big test for us. We will have to show more than 100 per cent of our power."
United have convincingly won all four of their Premier League games this season, and, although Chelsea are only two points behind their rivals in the league and opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, Ivanovic admits it will be tough against a side that knocked them out of Europe at the quarter-final stage last season.
"We have to take motivation from these two games that we lose," Ivanovic explained.
"Psychologically, for both teams it is a very important game. There are three points but every tackle, every pass, everything matters.
"Last season was a different situation because we had to go there and win. When you play a big game away and you have to win, psychologically it is different. Now, we are going there to show our best football and get the best result.
"I don't know if a draw will be a good result. It depends how the game goes but we are always looking every game to win. Of course, we have strong opponents and will see what happens.
"This is important not to let the gap grow. It is good for us to be close to the first position but we can also go top after this game."
Ivanovic also added his voice to those from the Chelsea camp in support of Fernando Torres, who set up both of the team's goals against Leverkusen but extended his miserable scoring record for the club to one goal in 23 games.
He said: "It is important to play like a team and not look at individual statistics. We know that and we are looking to work for the team.
"Fernando gave us great assists. It's good for his confidence to assist the goals. We are looking good, that is the main thing."
Torres unselfishly laid on the second goal for Juan Mata, despite being in a one-on-one situation with the Leverkusen goalkeeper.
"Fernando's pass is a football pass," he said. "It is great that we scored from this. It is unusual. As a striker he was one against one with the keeper and passed to Mata."
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