Andre Villas-Boas believes Chelsea's Champions League win over
Valencia gives a "slap in the face" to their critics.
Villas-Boas: There's only one team in the country
at the moment, and that's Man City, the approach to them is if they
qualify they qualify, and if they don't they don't.
The Blues manager avoided an early exit thanks to a
Didier Drogba-inspired 3-0 win over the Spaniards.
The 33-year-old broke the deadlock with a third-minute drive
and, after Ramires prodded home at second, secured victory by
neatly flicking in a Juan Mata through-ball in the second half.
Victory confirms progression to the knockout stage as Group E
winners, which Villas-Boas hopes will quieten the naysayers.
"It helps to score straight away in the game," Villas-Boas said.
"It gave the team the right emotional stance for the rest of the
game and gave a full boost in confidence.
"To get the second not long afterwards made the team even more
confident on what was happening.
"In terms of the result and what happens in us finishing top,
it's fantastic. It's against all odds.
"Nobody, or anybody here, would have bet on us finishing top,
but it's happened and it is very, very gratifying for the team.
"The team were excellent. It is a win of human values, of team
spirit, solidarity, responsibility, strength of character, ability
to take criticism, resilience, and this is a great win for Chelsea
players.
"They deserve a respect that they don't get.
"We've been continually chased by different kinds of people, but
today we've given everybody (those critics) a slap in the
face."
Villas-Boas has seen his squad selection, philosophy and
position come under increasing scrutiny recently.
The Portuguese manager believes the column inches dedicated to
Chelsea is part of a wider "persecution" and called it "out of this
world".
Asked whether he detected anger among players, Villas-Boas
retorted: "No, I just think the reaction has been over the top.
"There's only one team in the country at the moment, and that's
Man City.
"I sincerely hope they qualify, but the approach to them is if
they qualify they qualify, and if they don't they don't.
"We don't get that margin from you guys. That's not the same as
with us. I will never criticise your editorial choices, but it is
the reality.
"People take perspectives that are out of this world, from
criticising our players to criticising choices.
"We see a Manchester United defender (Gary Neville) today say in
the preparations for the game and says things like 'I don't want to
be one of the Chelsea players today', 'I couldn't play this game'
and 'It is a difficult game for them'.
"This is out of this world for me, I don't believe this.
"It continues the persecution of Chelsea, continues aggression
to one club.
"We have become your target, we have to accept it. Tomorrow,
it's unfortunate for you guys because you'll have to report on a
brilliant win for Chelsea and finishing first.
"Tomorrow is difficult for you guys. I'll never pick a fight
with you guys."
While relieved to secure victory and stem the tide of
negativity, Villas-Boas had to sacrifice his ideals for a place in
the Champions League knockout phase.
Chelsea defended uncharacteristically deeply and invited the
Spanish side on, hoping to grab goals on the counter-attack.
"I think there is a phrase that is interesting: the person that
you are is a triumph in the person you want to be," Villas-Boas
added.
"Today it was a win of personal values and human values.
"I think in the way we set out our philosophy, there are human
values that you cannot put away.
"Today they showed themselves to an unbelievable expression.
"Yes, I think it is a different strategy, but the same
philosophy in human values."
