Ahead of his first Champions League game as Chelsea head coach, Liam Rosenior has underlined the importance of not looking too far ahead in the competition and focusing on the challenge Pafos will pose at Stamford Bridge.

Two matches remain for the Blues in the league phase of the competition, with a trip to play Napoli coming next week after we host the Cypriot side this evening.

Successive victories will leave us in a strong position in the table and give us a good chance of avoiding a play-off round next month. However, Rosenior has warned against complacency.

‘It would be optimal [to avoid the play-offs], especially when you’re a new coach coming in and want the training days to help imprint your ideas a little bit more, but the most important thing is going through,’ said Rosenior.

‘That’s what’s important, so we focus on this game. Pafos is not an easy game; they’re still in a position where they can qualify. They have strengths, in terms of the way Albert (Celades) has put the team together, which we have to be aware of.

‘But we need to go out and perform really, really well and not think too much about how important it is to miss out games [in the future]. The most important thing is qualifying.’

One added element to tonight’s fixture is the possibility of David Luiz returning to Stamford Bridge. Our former defender joined Pafos last summer and is still going strong at the age of 38. However, the Brazilian had to be replaced after 12 minutes during Pafos’ weekend loss away to Olympiakos Nicosia.

‘Obviously, he’s had successful times at this club and I’m sure he’s working really, really hard to be fit to play in what would be a really important game for him,’ said Rosenior.

‘Analysing their last game, he came off. I don’t know how serious that is, but I think for him, he would love to play in this game and perform really well in it.’

Rosenior will take charge of his first Champions League game as a head coach tonight, and at his pre-match media conference held at Stamford Bridge, he explained what a ‘dream’ it was to be competing at the top of the game.

When it came to whether we can win the competition this season, Rosenior acknowledged it was an exciting possibility, but stressed the importance of putting building blocks in place first.

‘I’ve said to the players, if we focus on each game, not think too far ahead, perform as well as we possibly can, I never limit the ambitions of my group, no matter what group I’m working with.

‘But those games and those trophies don’t exist if you don’t do the job now. We have to focus on this game and, hopefully, another three points puts us closer to that target.

‘I’m preparing the game like we would for any game to make sure we put in the best performance that gives us the best chance of winning the game.’