Roberto Di Matteo has claimed that he is not interested in gaining a measure of revenge when his Schalke 04 side host Chelsea on Wednesday evening.
The Italian won the Champions League with the Blues in 2012, but he was sacked just six months later after a poor start to the following season.
As he prepares to face the Londoners for the first time as a manager, he has revealed that he has no ill feelings towards the club and wants to see them achieve success this season.
"A win means we would get three points and be in a good position in the group, nothing else," Di Matteo told reporters. "I have no sentiment of revenge or anything like that; I enjoyed a wonderful time at Chelsea.
"They have every opportunity to be very successful this season. They have signed good players, functional players, and they are expressing themselves at the highest level. It looks like they have a very strong team and in the Premier League nobody can match them.
"That's why we have to play a great game and I hope they are not in the best shape for that match."
Schalke are currently second in their Champions League group on five points, three behind leaders Chelsea.