Gianfanco Zola has warned Chelsea’s players that Nottingham Forest should not be underestimated.
The Blues face the Championship side in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge, where they will be firm favourites to reach the fourth round.
However, speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Chelsea assistant boss Zola insisted that Forest cannot be taken lightly.
“Absolutely not. They’ve already done it (beaten Arsenal) in the past and although we have a good record against them it’s a team that we need to respect,” Zola said.
“They have some good players – the type of players that can cause problems. So we will have to play a good game.”
And Forest manager Aitor Karanka believes his side can put out the FA Cup holders for the second successive season.
The Reds face Chelsea almost 12 months to the day since they beat then holders Arsenal 4-2 at the City Ground.
“If I don’t believe, I can’t convince the players,” Karanka told the club’s website.
“I have to be the first who is convinced and I am because to prepare one game thinking that it will be impossible to win, then it will be impossible to win.
“I am convinced that we can compete against them because we always compete against good teams.”