CHELSEA BOSS Roberto Di Matteo said his side’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona is still a 50-50 proposition despite their shock first-leg win.
A Didier Drogba goal just before half-time was the difference between the two sides at Stamford Bridge last night and will see the west London club take a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Camp Nou next week.
But Di Matteo refused to get carried away with the win, and said his side still had it all to do to make the final.
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“It’s a great result for us,” Di Matteo told ITV. ”You know when you play Barcelona, you’re going to have to do a lot of defending. I watched them against all the other teams — Milan, Real Madrid — and they’re going to have a lot of possession.
You just have to try to limit their threat and then just be clinical when you get your chances. It’s still 50-50. There’s still the second leg to play away from home and, as we all know, it’s going to be a difficult one.
I think this group of players have shown again tonight their determination, their courage, and to play against the top team in the world, they showed what quality there is in this team.
I am very pleased with this result but it is only half-time.
Di Matteo paid tribute to his back four, in particular January signing Gary Cahill.
“It was a bit of a baptism for Gary,” he said. “He has not played much in the Champions League and it was a difficult game. But I am very pleased that he played so well, as did the whole back four.”
Goalkeeper Petr Cech was another key to keeping Barca scoreless, and the Czech Republic international said his teammates should be proud of the win.
“We can be proud of what we have done today,” Cech told Sky Sports News.
There was amazing quality in the team, everyone gave 100 per cent. We are not used to playing 90 minutes without the ball. Mentally it is difficult to keep the focus.
We have been brilliant all over the pitch, the commitment to defend and cover everyone, we had a bit of luck but everyone did as they were asked.
Wise man Roberto Di Matteo says Chelsea haven't beaten Barcelona yet
CHELSEA BOSS Roberto Di Matteo said his side’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona is still a 50-50 proposition despite their shock first-leg win.
A Didier Drogba goal just before half-time was the difference between the two sides at Stamford Bridge last night and will see the west London club take a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Camp Nou next week.
But Di Matteo refused to get carried away with the win, and said his side still had it all to do to make the final.
“It’s a great result for us,” Di Matteo told ITV. ”You know when you play Barcelona, you’re going to have to do a lot of defending. I watched them against all the other teams — Milan, Real Madrid — and they’re going to have a lot of possession.
Di Matteo paid tribute to his back four, in particular January signing Gary Cahill.
“It was a bit of a baptism for Gary,” he said. “He has not played much in the Champions League and it was a difficult game. But I am very pleased that he played so well, as did the whole back four.”
Goalkeeper Petr Cech was another key to keeping Barca scoreless, and the Czech Republic international said his teammates should be proud of the win.
“We can be proud of what we have done today,” Cech told Sky Sports News.
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Champions League Not there yet Roberto di Matteo Stamford Bridge Barcelona Chelsea