Terry vows Chelsea primed for Euro glory
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John Terry has warned Chelsea's European rivals that his side is finally in the right frame of mind to fight for Champions League glory.
Carlo Ancelotti's team had been stuck in a rut for several months as injuries and poor form derailed its attempt to retain the Premier League title, but it has rediscovered its momentum just in time to push for victory in Europe's elite club competition.
Terry believes the turning point was Chelsea's 2-1 win over Manchester United, a result which may have come too late to reignite a title challenge but has definitely lifted morale at the west London club.
Although the Chelsea captain still harbors hopes of overhauling United, Terry knows a successful run in the Champions League is a more realistic aim.
The Blues go into Wednesday's last-16 second leg against Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge already within touching distance of the quarterfinals after beating the Danish champion 2-0 in the first leg.
"We won't give up chasing or fighting. All we can do is win our own games, keep going to the end and see what happens at the top," Terry said.
"Our fans have kept faith with us this season and we owe it to the supporters to finish the season strongly, showing the quality we have and picking up big results."
If, as expected on the evidence of a one-sided first leg, Chelsea cruises past Copenhagen, the draw for the last eight should hold few fears for Terry and company.
Barcelona is the one team the other sides would like to avoid, but even it has had difficulties against Chelsea in the past.
Terry has more reason than any other player at Chelsea to want to win the Champions League.
The England defender still has trouble talking about the penalty miss against Manchester United which cost the Blues so dearly in the 2008 final and it would be a career-defining moment if he could lift the trophy at Wembley in May.
"We could still make this a good season and we're up for the challenge," Terry said. "It's time to show what we're capable of. This is a massive time for us."
The prospect of Sunday's vital Premier League game against Manchester City - which is battling Chelsea for a place in the top four - could persuade Ancelotti to rest one or two players, but he is likely to keep Fernando Torres in his lineup.
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