Interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo was ecstatic after his team
beat the odds to win the Champions League final on Saturday.
The Blues edged out Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties after the sides finished 1-1 after normal time at the Allianz Arena.
Chelsea
went into the game depleted, missing key players like John Terry,
Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles, and Di Matteo paid
tribute to his side for overcoming their obstacles.
“It was very stressful. It was an amazing achievement by the players,” he told Sky Sports
“The
game wasn’t ideal with suspensions, the injuries and we went for 120
minutes with players who haven’t played for three weeks, four weeks, and
it’s just been incredible, the passion and the pride that the players
have to bring the trophy home.”
Didier Drogba’s equaliser on 88
minutes provided a last-gasp revival for the Blues before the Ivorian
buried the decisive penalty.
But Di Matteo refused to single out individuals.
“He
scored the goal but I think it’s a team effort, the defence that kept
the ball out of the net and the midfield, they’ve been immense tonight,”
he said.
Chelsea were on the back foot for much of the match, ceding most of the possession and taking their chances on the counter.
“Bayern is a very good team and they played a very good game tonight,” Di Matteo added.
“We have to play the way that suits us and with the players that we have and the right way to do and win the game.
“I think you deserve your luck as well.”
Di
Matteo noted his side’s preparation for a shootout, revealing: “We
practice (penalties) all the time during the season and we did again
this week.”
With victory in Europe’s premier club competition,
questions were asked over Di Matteo’s chances of securing the managerial
role at Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis, but the 41-year-old was
paying his future no attention.
“We’re going to have a big party tonight with the big trophy with the big ears, that’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
