Benitez determined to succeed at Chelsea

Interim Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez claimed to be unconcerned by a hostile reception from the home fans during his first match in charge.

Having replaced the sacked Roberto Di Matteo last week, Benitez watched his new team draw 0-0 at home to English Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Supporters at Stamford Bridge did not hold back in voicing their displeasure at the arrival of the Spaniard, who made an enemy of the Chelsea fans during his time in charge of Liverpool.

When asked what he thought of the chants and banners opposing his appointment, Benitez said: “I don’t care. I’m just focused on the game.”

“How many people do you need to write a banner? Just one. Then two holding it.

“If we start winning games, they will come on board and they will see I’ll try to do my best.”

“The main things is that the players are focused on the games. If they are, it’ll be fine.

“I have confidence we will do well and win games.

“Some of the fans will realise it’s not the way to support their team.”

According to Benitez, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will be satisfied with earning a point from the match, despite an unconvincing performance from the reigning European champions.

“He (Abramovich) knows it was a tough game, a difficult time after the last games,” Benitez said.

“He’s like me. He knows we have to win, want to win, and we keep working for that.”

“The team weren’t performing at their level in the last games and lost a bit of confidence from the Champions League game.

“But this was a clean sheet after so many games. You have some positives.

“I’m not 100 percent satisfied because I want to win. But there aren’t too many teams better than City in the Premier League.”

When asked what Benitez can do to win over the Chelsea fans, City manager Roberto Mancini was unequivocal: “Win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win every game – only the results can help.”