Let's show why we're champions : Di matteo

Chelsea manager
Roberto Di Matteo has
challenged his under-
pressure team to justify
their status as
European champions as
they prepare for what
he describes as a 'must
win' game against
Shakhtar Donetsk on
Wednesday night.
Chelsea's 2-1 defeat
against Shakhtar two
weeks ago leaves them
precariously placed in
Group E and Di Matteo
has warned his team
that nothing less than
three points will suffice
in their re-match with
the Ukrainian champions
at Stamford Bridge.
"This game is about our
status as European
champions and we need
to play the perfect game
to win," Di Matteo said.
"We need to play a very
good game and be at
our best, but we have a
strong record at home
and have to work with
that.
"We'll have to show that
in this game and put
Shakhtar under
pressure. Every
individual player going
on the pitch has to
perform at the highest
of their ability because
we have to win this
game. The problem for
us in Donetsk was
conceding the early goal.
That allowed them to
play on the counter-
attack rather than
breaking us down so it's
important we start well
and get the crowd
behind us and draw
confidence from a good
start.
"We had games last
season in the Champions
League that were also
'must win' matches. This
is another like that.
Fortunately we have
players with the
experience who have
been through that
before.What helps is the
strong winning mentality
that these players have
and also the experience
of playing and
performing in big games
like this. When we are at
our best, we are a very
strong team and
everyone is fired up for
this game."
Di Matteo has confirmed
that he will head into the
Shakhtar game without
injured veterans Ashley
Cole and Frank Lampard,
but skipper John Terry
will return to action after
a spell on the sidelines
following his suspension
for domestic matches.
"Ashley won't be
available for tomorrow
because he has a
problem with his
hamstring," Di Matteo
said. "He shouldn't be
too long out but the
game tomorrow is too
soon for him.
"It's a real shame
because he's got all the
experience you need in
games like this so it is a
real blow for us. On the
other hand JT is
available again for us. In
these games over a
long season you have
to take into
consideration that you
might have a few
injuries."
Meanwhile Di Matteo
insisted he is
unconcerned about the
rumours that have
started to circulate
linking former Barcelona
boss Pep Guardiola with
his position at Chelsea.
"I am used to these kind
of rumours," he added.
"It's been there from
day one, so it doesn't
affect me too much. I
have my own destiny in
my hands and the club
and the owner are
behind me."
The Chelsea boss
confirmed Ryan Bertrand
will start in place of Cole
against Shakhtar, while
he was hopeful that both
David Luiz and Juan
Mata will shake off minor injury knocks to take their position in
starting eleven.

Source :soccernet

DO YOU LIKE THIS POST
SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS USING THE SHARE BUTTONS BELOW

ADD ME ON FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/justfootballgist
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
www.twitter.com/justfootballgist