After Wednesday’s below par performance against Middlesbrough, Jose Mourinho is expecting the players to show an improved attitude at Ewood Park later today.
“We were just too passive [at the Riverside], reacting just to the score. The point is we know why we were champions twice and it was not with this attitude, that is for sure,” he said.
Arjen Robben, who withdrew during the warm-up at Boro with a tight calf muscle, is expected to return to the sqaud, as is Michael Ballack, missing since picking up a hip injury during the defeat to Liverpool in the Community Shield. Joe Cole and Petr Cech are still out.
Blackburn secured their place in this season’s UEFA Cup when they won this corresponding fixture in May, but haven’t enjoyed the best start to the new Premiership campaign, losing 3-0 at Fratton Park on the opening day then drawing their first home game against Everton in midweek.
