Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino is optimistic that home advantage will help the Blues win the League Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough at the start of a crucial week for the London club.
The five-time League Cup winners meet Championship side Middlesbrough on Tuesday, trailing 1-0 after the first leg.
“It is a passport to the final, to visit Wembley. It’s really important for us, the club, for everyone,” Pochettino told reporters on Monday.
“We want to be in the final but first of all, we need to beat a very good team in Middlesbrough. We could not beat them in the first leg, but we are very confident that we can have a very good game in front of our fans and the energy from the fans.”
Chelsea are without French forward Christopher Nkunku who is out with a hip injury, Pochettino said, adding that Chelsea will also not have compatriot Malo Gusto available.
Chelsea have recalled midfielder Cesare Casadei and forward Diego Moreira from loan spells at Leicester and Olympique Lyonnais.
“It will help us as we have been suffering from injuries,” Pochettino said.
Casadei cannot play in the League Cup or FA Cup games this week because he has appeared in both competitions with Leicester.
Chelsea are languishing ninth in the Premier League table, 12 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa who they host in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.
Pochettino’s side are unbeaten in their last eight games at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
Their next league game is against leaders Liverpool on Jan. 31.
