CHELSEA'S boss admits he is already thinking about the upcoming Champions League group decider against Valencia, even though he badly needs to get the domestic campaign back on track first.
The Blues are desperate to revive their fortunes in the Premier League following successive home defeats and anything less than victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge tomorrow would be another hammer blow.
Yet Andre Villas-Boas concedes the season will shaped by the make-or-break tie with the Spaniards at the Bridge on December 6 – when only a win or a 0-0 draw will see the team progress to the spring knock-out stages.
“It's a situation of life and death in that group,” said the Portuguese.
“It's either one team of or the other team. We expect Leverkusen to do their job against Genk and to qualify first [in the group] and then it's either Chelsea or Valencia in the Champions League last 16.”
The Blues are boosted by the return of Ashley Cole – who is available again after missing the trip to Germany with an inflamed ankle.
But the only real good news this weekend would be a victory after a harrowing run of results.
“Our recent form at home hasn't been spectacular, but we have to make the most of the emotional advantage of playing at home,” said Villas-Boas, who says there will be no compromise in the attacking approach which has arguably contributed to the team's vulnerability.
“The philosophy will be the last thing to die in this club. It's a thing that makes the technical staff and players very proud and what we've shown up to here – even in the moments of defeat – is something we're going to stick with. Our belief is in our work and we just have to continue to do it.
“We need to find the right emotional stimulus, plus the right balance in terms of what we do, to get the results that we want.”
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