Di Matteo hails ´legends´ Lampard and Drogba

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has praised Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba ahead of the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

The experienced duo have scored decisive goals during the Blues’ journey to Munich and the Italian coach highlighted their importance.

“Didier has brought us lots of success, scored many goals so whatever happens tomorrow he will always be a legend here,” Di Matteo told reporters on Friday.

“Frank has been amazing, he’s risen to the occasions when we needed him, he’s a natural leader, he’s a proper man.”

The west London outfit must travel to their opponents’ home ground, the Allianz Arena, for the European finale but Di Matteo believes his team is motivated enough to overcome the odds and win.

“You can’t just take one game to summarise Bayern, they’ve had a good season and our approach needs to be right,” Di Matteo said.

“Bayern know the environment but our players are motivated, we’re looking towards the future and will try to win.

“The players have worked so hard to get to this stage, the whole club and supporters would deserve to win the game.

“Confidence plays a big part and it was important for our players to remember how great they are. Our players have all the qualities needed to win the Champions League. I’m very positive and confident.

“Tonight I will make the final decisions on team selection after assessing the players in training.”

The 41-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge remains far from certain, but the former West Brom boss expressed his belief that the club will have a former player in charge on a permanent basis one day.

“To have history and a legacy at a club is important, I’m sure in the future there will be an ex-player in charge,” he said.