Monterrey out to test Chelsea in Japan

Head coach Victor Manuel Vucetich has reminded Monterrey to ‘show our quality’ when they face Chelsea in the Club World Cup semi-final.

The Mexican club defeated Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea 3-1 to qualify for the semi-finals in Japan and, while Chelsea are widely expected to win Thursday’s game in Yokohama, Vucetich claims his team will not be scared in attacking the Champions League title holders.

The 57-year-old head coach wants his players to ‘write a new page in Monterrey’s history’ and make Chelsea the first European team to miss out on the Club World Cup final since the tournament’s current format began in 2005.

“I’m sure Chelsea will score goals tomorrow,” Vucetich said.

“They are a strong, physical side and technically skilful.

“We have great respect for them, they are one of the top teams in the world and in the Premier League but we have talent too.

“We will look to show our quality.

“You always want to win the biggest tournaments regardless who your opponents.

“We want to write a new page in Monterrey’s history.”

But Vucetich is under no illusions about the task ahead of his team, especially since Fernando Torres has found his scoring touch again with four goals in Chelsea’s past two games.

“(Chelsea) have excellent attacking players,” Vucetich said.

“They are also fast and have skilful players like (Juan) Mata, (Eden) Hazard and (Victor) Moses, they have a intelligent players as well and they are a very good team.

“They also have an in-form striker in Fernando Torres, he moves quickly and takes chances.”

Monterrey are involved in the Club World Cup for the first time in their history.