Chelsea suffered a fresh penalty disappointment in Moscow, with Andrei Shevchenko missed a crucial spot-kick just hours after Carlo ancelotti, one of his closest mentors football, has reported problems in the Ukrainian 'mind as a central explanation of his declining form.
By Jeremy Wilson in Moscow
Last Updated: 6:05 PM Paris 02 August 2008
Andrei Shevchenko lack of space that Chelsea shootout to relive the agony
Fallen Idol: Andrei Shevchenko penalty was saved by Moscow Ivan Pelizzoli Photo: AP
In a final which contained remarkable similarities with the painful Champions League defeat against Manchester United, Chelsea were beaten 5-4 in another penalty shot after drawing 1-1 with Lokomotiv Moscow in the semi-finals of the Russian Cup railways.
John Terry, who missed in this sad mode 10 weeks in the Cup final, was on the ground but not the penalty-takers that between Wayne Bridge missed a chance to win the match before Shevchenko effort was saved.
Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said he blamed himself. "A penalty does not change my idea of Shevchenko," he said.
"It was not his mistake, it was mine. I told them before the match that if she went to penalties, I would choose the players to take them. I told them it was my choice, and if we did not win, it would be my mistake.
"I have other players who can take penalties, Ballack and Drogba is something we need to improve. If they win a penalty competition, they will have more confidence."
Chelsea will now face Milan, Shevchenko, former club, in their pre-final match of the season tomorrow Scolari before the first competitive match against Chelsea manager of Portsmouth on Aug 17.
Shevchenko, 31, spent five seasons with success, under Ancelotti at Milan, but his form has nose-dived since joining Chelsea. "He had to move to another country and the environment has changed," said Ancelotti.
"It tries to play the way he can. I think we have seen many times, it has a lot of talent. If he overcomes these problems, which are mostly psychological and, I think, because he moved in another country, it will achieve a lot in team Chelsea. "
Shevchenko has played 41 minutes in four matches during Chelsea pre-summer season after surgery on his groin. "I came here to see my team for the match against Portsmouth," said Scolari. "I have 75 percent of my team. Now, maybe, I have 85 per cent."
Among the variables for the Portsmouth match will be the fitness of Didier Drogba, who is recovering from a knee injury, and the result of the attempted purchase Real Madrid's Robinho. Madrid are still hoping to persuade Manchester United to sell Cristiano Ronaldo, with Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon conceding that the operation could be based on the Spanish club has managed to find a replacement.
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, meanwhile, confirmed Frank Lampard will remain at Chelsea. "He wanted to leave, I am sure, but it created a lot of anxiety for him and, in fact, he stayed because family issues," he said. "He stayed for his father, that it is extremely narrow, and its entire environment. "
Lampard's mother, Pat, died earlier this year.
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