No small task awaits 'Big Phil'

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The 59-year-old Brazilian, who moved to Stamford Bridge this summer after five years leading Portugal's national team, will take charge of his first UEFA Champions League tie against FC Girondins de Bordeaux on Tuesday knowing there are no easy games. "Many times the media imagine that one team is easier and another is more difficult, but since I came to Europe I have seen there is always a close competition," he said.

'Necessary respect'
With the London club finishing as UEFA Champions League runners-up last season under Avram Grant, the pressure is on Chelsea to go one better. According to their latest manager, however, they cannot afford to make matters difficult for themselves. "We have to be careful with every team and show the necessary respect, because we know that one or two points dropped are often because players assume they are superior," he explained.

Bordeaux first
Bordeaux will be the first opponent to test Chelsea's nerve at Stamford Bridge, and Scolari has already cast an eye over the French team. "We know quite a lot about Bordeaux," he said. "We've seen tapes of their games from last season and some from this year, and we have some additional information from other people. They've warned us to be careful, especially in this first match."

Final target
The Ligue 1 outfit should also be aware, though, that Chelsea are aiming for another final appearance in Rome next May. "The primary objective is to reach the final again, because in a final you have two winners – the winner of the last match, and also the team that didn't win the last match but got to the final. In my eyes they are also winners. And let's hope that in this final we can win the game and be champions too."