Pizarro Looking To Take His Chances With Chelsea

In line with a host of teams playing higher League opposition in the FA Cup at the weekend, QPR gave Chelsea a real contest but were ultimately undone when Claudio Pizarro fired in a shot that bounced off both the post and the back of Rangers keeper Lee Camp, then trickled over the line.

Pizarro was eager to claim the strike, but told Chelsea's official website: "Of course I want the goal, but I heard that it was an own goal.

"But it was important for us because it is our cup and we wanted to win our game so it is important to get over the first game.

"And I think it will be important to me because I need more chances to play, to get my confidence, to get into shape and that's what I need to do."

Pizarro has been struggling for fitness after the Copa America occupied much of what would normally have been a summer break. He has also been in competition for a first team place with the likes of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Andriy Shevchenko.

Consequently he'd got only one goal to his name before Saturday but is philosophical about his situation.

"I wasn't in good shape and I knew that I wasn't good enough," he told the Blues' site.

"I went to Copa America and that wasn't the best for my fitness but I hope that I will get more chances so that I can show what I can do.

"It is always difficult when you come to a new team and more difficult when you come to a big team where you have a lot of players, so you need time.

"Things happen always so I think you have to learn from your team, take it easy and wait for your chance."

But he can offer the side versatility, having experience both in leading the attack, and playing at he back from his Bayern days.

"I am playing in two positions now, I am playing at the front and I am playing a bit at the back, but I used to play at the back with Bayern so I am used to it."

Pizarro played in Chelsea's first two Carling Cup games this season and is looking forward to their semi-final first-leg against Everton on Tuesday night.

"I was playing a lot of games for this Cup so I am feeling good and I hope I can play well against Everton," he said.