Oscar believes Chelsea need more than just a victory in the Champions League to turn the tide this season, saying confidence will return when José Mourinho’s side win two or three games in the league.
Chelsea qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League following a comfortable 2-0 win over Porto to finish top of Group G. They produced an efficient performance against the Portuguese, at odds with many recent displays in the Premier League, where they currently sit 14th in the table.
After a dismal defeat at home to Bournemouth last weekend, Chelsea have an opportunity to make it successive wins against the league leaders, Leicester City, on Monday and relieve the pressure on Mourinho further. Oscar said: “This is important for us. When we play big games the team we always play raise their game and do very well.
“We need to focus on the league and we need to play like today [against Porto] in the Premier League. I don’t know how to explain this but we need to play like this in the Premier League as well because we need to win our next game. It is very important for us.
“I think we needed this win. Now we need to win more games, not just today. We need to win two or three games for the confidence to come back. So this win is important and everyone is confident for the next game but we need more.”
Diego Costa produced an improved performance on Wednesday night, his determination resulting in the opening goal of the match, although he did squander two opportunities in the second half and remains short of last season’s form.
On his team-mate, Oscar added: “Diego played well. He knows that he is important for the team. I know that in the next game he will play better. He has tried everything to score a goal and he tries everything to help us to win games.
“It’s difficult because he is a striker and, like every striker, he wants to score goals. Against Porto he played very well. He needs to continue because if he does then his confidence will come back, for sure. He is happy, very happy, at the moment, though.”
