Ancelotti urges Chelsea to rally

Carlo Ancelotti has demanded a positive response from his Chelsea team after seeing them slip to a 3-1 loss at Wigan - their first defeat of the season.

The Blues travel to Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League on Wednesday, then entertain Liverpool on Sunday.

Keeper Petr Cech will be banned against the Reds after his dismissal at Wigan, while Ashley Cole is an injury concern.

"We have to give a very good reaction, and I'm sure the team will do better," Ancelotti told BBC Sport.

Italian Ancelotti is known to talk to his players in his native tongue when he is angry.

When asked what language was used at half-time at Wigan on Saturday, he replied: "I spoke in Italian."

The former AC Milan coach said he had not expected such an impressive performance from Roberto Martinez's side, which resulted in Chelsea's first defeat in 24 matches and his first at the helm.

606: DEBATE The importance of beating Spurs last week has sapped the energy levels of most of the Chelsea team John_Pull_Goati_eh

"They used all of the pitch and attacked well," said Ancelotti. "They deserved to win."

Cech was sent off on 51 minutes at the DW Stadium after lunging foot-first into a challenge with Hugo Rodagella.

Deputy Henrique Hilario came on to face the resulting penalty, which Rodagella converted - and the Portuguese keeper is expected to face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge one Cech's ban kicks in.

In addition, Cole was carried off with a knee injury, meaning he and John Obi Mikel, who suffered an ankle problem, could both miss the Champions League trip to Cyprus this week.

"I don't know why we lost at Wigan because we prepared very well and we knew what was important," Ancelotti lamented.

"This can happen after a lot of victories and we have to accept this loss and fix it in the next match in the Champions League.

"I don't think we were over-confident. In football it can happen that one day it's not good and now we have to look forward."