Battle not won yet, warns Di Matteo

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo said his side’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona is still a 50-50 proposition, despite a first-leg win.

A Didier Drogba goal just before half-time was the difference between the two sides at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 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.

“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.”