Chelsea FC vs Barcelona preview - Di Matteo looks for perfection
Posted Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by PA
Roberto Di Matteo has admitted Chelsea would need to play two "perfect" games to win their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
Di Matteo has transformed the fortunes of the Blues since being appointed caretaker manager just over six weeks ago, culminating in Sunday's 5-1 FA Cup semi-final thrashing of Tottenham.
But the 41-year-old had no illusions Chelsea would need to hit new heights and next Tuesday to beat the team some regard as one of the greatest of all time.
"It's fair to say we need two perfect games," Di Matteo said.
"But I think, also, that the fact we've been performing very well in the last six weeks gives us the belief we can produce two perfect games in this match.
"It's the biggest challenge for any manager to play against the best team in the world, but for every player as well, to be able to compare themselves against one of the top teams in the world."
Di Matteo has confirmed David Luiz would miss both legs of the tie.
The interim Blues boss hoped the defender would recover from his hamstring injury within two weeks, which would mean missing up to four games.
Branislav Ivanovic is available during his domestic three-match suspension.
Pep Guardiola has dismissed as "fantasy" the idea he was considering quitting Barcelona for Chelsea.
Guardiola is said to be Blues owner Roman Abramovich's number one target to succeed Andre Villas-Boas as manager, with reports suggesting he could be offered a £10million-a-year contract.
But the 41-year-old gave short shrift to questions about whether he would swap the Nou Camp for Stamford Bridge, claiming Chelsea already had a "very, very good manager" in caretaker Roberto Di Matteo.
Guardiola, who has still to sign a new contract at Barca to replace the one that expires this summer, said: "It is fantasy, it's hypothetical.
"I am coach of Barcelona now and they have a good manager who is getting unbelievable results.
"It's not useful for Chelsea or for Barcelona to talk about that. There is no time to talk about that."
Guardiola has been asked countless times this season whether he will stay on at Barca and it was no different tonight.
He replied: "I just want to focus on the game. This is a dream come true, to be here ahead of this great game.
"I just want to make sure my players are focused on the game and can enjoy playing matches like that."
The build-up has been dominated by talk of revenge, with the Blues still smarting from the sides' last meeting in 2009.
That saw Chelsea denied several penalties before Andres Iniesta's stoppage-time away goal saw Barcelona triumph.
Guardiola said: "A long time has passed. I don't think they are playing for revenge.
"What you have lost, is lost. We will both be playing to try to reach the final in Munich."
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