The two teams are set to meet in the top flight for the first time since the 1990s, with the hosts enjoying an impressive run of form following a strong start to the season.
Nuno, however, is cautious about the threat posed by Ipswich Town, particularly after their recent morale-boosting performances against top-tier teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
“They are a very capable team and they compete at a high level,” Nuno said of the Blues in his pre-match press conference. “The energy and intensity they bring to their game is something to watch out for. We know this is going to be a tough match. It’s always a significant fixture, and I think every team, coach, and player approaches the game with one goal in mind—winning.”
He continued, emphasizing the challenge Ipswich will present: “I believe Ipswich will come here with the intention to push for a result. We’re on the same page, and we will be doing everything we can to put in a strong performance and get the right result.”
After suffering a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United and a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in their last two matches, the Reds are eager to turn things around and put in a much-improved performance as they prepare for a challenging series of upcoming fixtures.
Nuno has pinpointed the defensive aspect of their game as a key area of focus, stating that the “primary goal” against Ipswich is to ensure they keep a clean sheet.
“Of course, we are concerned,” he admitted. “We’re always concerned when we don’t play well and fail to perform at the level we expect. But we’re also concerned when we win because even then, there are always areas that need improvement. The only way forward is to keep working on those aspects, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
He acknowledged the quality of their opponents, praising Ipswich’s performance: “We must give credit to the opposition; they played very well, and it’s not easy to stop them. However, there are still defensive elements we need to address within our own team.”
Nuno continued, stressing the importance of defensive solidity: “When you look at our recent record over the last two games, our immediate reaction must be that we cannot afford to be the kind of team that concedes so many goals. Doing so makes it much harder to win games and deliver the kind of performances we want.”
“The dynamics of the game can shift dramatically depending on whether you score first or concede early. We’re very aware of that, and the players understand that our first goal in this match is to keep a clean sheet. That’s the priority.”
In addition to focusing on their defensive shape, Nuno provided an update on the fitness of three key players: Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, and Elliot Anderson. It’s unclear whether they’ll be available to face Ipswich, as their injuries remain under assessment.
“We need to evaluate how the players are progressing,” Nuno explained. “They are improving, which is positive. Danilo is also recovering well. We’ll see how they are tomorrow to determine whether they can be part of the squad and help the team.”
As for Elanga, Nuno added, “He’s still under evaluation. He picked up a very painful injury, but the medical staff is working closely with him to manage the situation.”
With these injury concerns hanging over the squad, Nuno is hoping for the best as he prepares his team for what promises to be a challenging encounter against Ipswich Town.