Chelsea Vow To Shock Barcelona

Chelsea Coach, Roberto Di Matteo has declared in clear terms that they are good enough to shock defending champions of the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona tonight at the Nou Camp and go ahead to win the trophy.

Barely seven weeks since taking charge and less than seven days after masterminding an astonishing semi-final first-leg win over Barcelona, caretaker Blues boss Di Matteo arrived at the Nou Camp determined to complete the job.

Chelsea have been written off this season and even before that, something that prompted Di Matteo to hit out at their critics after Saturday’s Barclays Premier League game at Arsenal.

And he was adamant this evening they have what it takes to end their agonising nine-year wait for Champions League glory since Roman Abramovich bought the club.

“We do have the qualities within this team,’ he said.

“I think we need victory away from home, as we’ve seen in the past, a bit of luck to be able to do well in a competition like this.

“But, certainly, the quality and the squad we have at Chelsea is very good. You have to utilise the strengths of your players, and see what the weakness of the opposition is,” he said. “I respect other people’s opinion, but I disagree.”

“The players will be playing fully focused on their task and their responsibilities in the game. We cannot speculate on the bookings.”

Of more concern, Didier Drogba, who was the match-winner last week and once again proved a thorn in Barcelona’s side.

Drogba trained last night after missing the Arsenal game with a knee injury and Di Matteo said: “I’ll assess the physical and mental state of my players.

“I do think we’ll have to try and score a goal,” Di Matteo said. “That would give us a greater chance. I think it’ll be difficult just playing for a goalless draw.”

Reacting to Di Matteo’s vow, Barcelona and Argentina player, Lionel Messi said the Blues have no chance against them stressing that they would upturn the table against the visitors.

Meanwhile, Chelsea owner Roman Abromovich has promised to reward the team with £10million in bonuses if they beat the odds and win the Champions League.

The Blues just two games away from owner Roman Abramovich’s Holy Grail.

And the Russian billionaire has set aside the sum in incentives for his squad and Di Matteo.

Each of the 25-man Euro playing squad will receive around £350,000 should they go all the way to glory at the Munich final on 19 May and that adds up to a cool £8.75m.

Di Matteo is yet to receive an overall increase in the £1.2m-a-year salary he was paid as No 2 to sacked Andre Villas-Boas.

The final terms of his bonus is also still under negotiation.

But club insiders reckon the former Chelsea midfielder will receive £500,000 as a ‘thank you’ for turning around the club’s season — even though it does not guarantee him the job on a permanent basis.

The backroom staff, too, will get extra cash for playing their part if Chelsea can hold onto their 1-0 first-leg lead and then beat either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final.

Di Matteo has lost just once in 14 games since succeeding axed AVB seven weeks ago.

He has guided them to the FA Cup Final and his impact has been remarkable even though a top-four finish in the Premier League looks unlikely.