Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking forward to the challenge Middlesbrough were pose during Tuesday’s second-leg semi-final in the Carabao Cup.

Middlesbrough have a 1-0 lead on aggregate after winning the first-leg semi-final earlier this month.

“This is the biggest game of the season because it’s our access to the final,”  said Pochettino.

“We need to be convincing to be able to win. It’s the possibility to play in and win a final. It’s a good pressure. I like this type of challenge. We want to be in that situation and play in the semi-finals.

“It’s the possibility to win a trophy. In a personal way, I’m so excited for the game. I’m so motivated and I try to translate to the players how good it is to play a final.

“Some players have that experience of playing in finals and we need to use that experience to translate to the younger players that maybe still haven’t had the opportunity. We need to deserve it and we need to believe.”

Chelsea won the Carabao Cup, which was previously called the EFL Cup, in 1965, 1998, 2005, 2007 and 2015 – and were runners-up in 1972, 2008, 2019 and 2022.

“We can’t just dream of winning a trophy and don’t pay attention to Middlesbrough – we need to be better and we need to match them in energy. That’s the most important thing,” added Pochettino.

“We are going to face a team that is going to fight, that is going to be strong and have some players that can put ourselves in some problems.”

Fulham and Liverpool will contest this season’s other second-leg semi-final in the Carabao Cup. Liverpool have a 2-1 lead on aggregate.