Di Matteo hails ´incredible´ achievement

Roberto Di Matteo argued ‘passion, pride and desire’ were more important than tactics in Chelsea’s Champions League win over Barcelona.

Di Matteo’s side drew 2-2 at Camp Nou on Tuesday to complete a 3-2 aggregate semi-final victory, holding on for more than 60 minutes with only 10 players after captain John Terry was sent off in the first half.

“The second half wasn’t so much about tactics as passion, pride and desire to get to the final,” Chelsea’s interim manager said.

“We knew we were just 45 minutes away and that was what it was about.

“We have achieved something incredible here.”

Chelsea already trailed 1-0 prior to Terry’s 37th-minute red card and when Andres Iniesta scored Barcelona’s second six minutes later, Di Matteo’s men looked finished.

But a goal in first-half injury time to Brazilian midfielder Ramires gave Chelsea a much-needed boost heading into the break, according to Di Matteo.

“The Ramires goal was crucial, it gave us that lifeline and that belief that we could get through in the second half,” Di Matteo said.

“We said before the game we needed a goal and we managed to get one.

“It gave the advantage back to us.”

After a season where many of Chelsea’s veterans have been questioned, Di Matteo was keen to emphasise that this result underlined his players’ winning attitude.

“Barcelona are a great team with fantastic players but we showed what we are made of,” Di Matteo said.

“We’ve had a difficult season and we seem to always get something special out when we need to.

“That’s part of the DNA of these players.”